MLB Player News

Gilbert (3-3) took the loss against Houston on Thursday, allowing four runs on eight hits and one walk while striking out five batters over six innings.

Gilbert began his outing with three scoreless frames, but homers by Alex Bregman and Victor Caratini plated three runs for the Astros across the fourth and fifth innings. Gilbert still had a chance to extend his three-game quality-start streak, but that was extinguished when he gave up another run in the sixth. The right-hander still has a solid 3.29 ERA and 1.00 WHIP over 76.2 innings on the campaign.

Arrighetti (3-5) earned the win over Seattle on Thursday, pitching six scoreless innings during which he allowed two hits and three walks while striking out eight batters.

Arrighetti not only recorded the first quality start of his career, he also fanned a career-high eight batters and didn't allow any extra-base hits. The rookie right-hander did walk three batters -- he's issued multiple free passes in each of his nine starts on the campaign -- but none of those came back to hurt him. Arrighetti has been making a case to stick in the Astros' rotation following a slow start to the campaign. He held an 8.44 ERA after a poor outing May 8 but has since won three of his past four starts with a 3.63 ERA over that stretch.

Major League Baseball and the MLB Players Association have made a joint agreement to extend Franco's stay on administrative leave through July 14, Marc Topkin of the Tampa Bay Times reports.

An agreement between the parties was originally reached prior to Opening Day, but the original term was set to end June 1. Authorities have until July 5 to make any charging decisions against Franco, which could provide some additional context for his availability for this season and beyond.

Margot batted in the leadoff spot and went 1-for-4 with a walk in Thursday's win over Kansas City.

After a slow start to the season (.468 OPS through May 17), Margot is finally showing some signs of progress at the plate. He's 8-for-23 from May 18 through Thursday with two walks. He could get more at-bats as a righty platoon bat in left field as a result.

Melendez went 1-for-3 with a solo home run in Thursday's 7-6 loss to the Twins.

Melendez's fourth-inning blast gave the Royals a 4-0 lead before things turned south for them in the middle innings. May has been a rough month for Melendez, who has gone 12-for-69 (.174) with six extra-base hits over 23 contests in the month. His previous homer was April 19, and he now has five long balls on the year to go with 13 RBI, 14 runs scored, two stolen bases and a poor .176/.238/.346 slash line through 50 games. Melendez is in a strong-side platoon role, though Garrett Hampson has started to get more looks versus righties amid Melendez's lengthy slump.

Pasquantino went 2-for-5 with a two-run home run in Thursday's 7-6 loss to the Twins.

Pasquantino missed Wednesday's game due to a shin injury, but his absence wasn't a long one. He served as the designated hitter Thursday, but it shouldn't be long before he's back at first base. The 26-year-old's homer was his first since May 9, which was also the date of his previous multi-hit effort. Pasquantino is slashing just .229/.309/.404 with six homers, 35 RBI, 26 runs scored, 13 doubles and a triple over 220 plate appearances.

Stratton (2-3) took the loss and a blown save Thursday versus the Twins, allowing four runs on three hits and two walks while striking out two over two-thirds of an inning.

Stratton worked the sixth inning, relieving starter Daniel Lynch while the Royals were ahead 4-3. That lead didn't hold, as Stratton gave up an RBI single to Max Kepler and a three-run triple to Carlos Correa before John Schreiber finished off the frame. While Stratton has kept runs off the board in seven of his 10 appearances in May, he's allowed seven runs with an 11:6 K:BB over 11 innings for the month. He's at a poor 6.00 ERA, 1.38 WHIP and 22:16 K:BB with three saves, three holds and two blown saves over 24 innings this season, serving as an occasional high-leverage option.

Lynch allowed three runs (two earned) on five hits and struck out two without walking a batter in a no-decision Thursday versus the Twins.

Lynch got the nod for a spot start when Brady Singer (illness) was deemed unavailable to pitch Thursday. The three runs on Lynch's line came on a pair of home runs by Ryan Jeffers, though the Kansas City southpaw still left the game with a lead before Chris Stratton squandered it in the sixth inning. Lynch has a 1.50 ERA, 0.75 WHIP and 8:2 K:BB over 12 innings across three outings (two starts) at the major-league level. Assuming Singer can rejoin the rotation for his next start, Lynch may either be moved to the bullpen or sent back to Triple-A Omaha for a fresher arm.

Cole (elbow) could make his first rehab start Tuesday, Bryan Hoch of MLB.com reports.

Cole threw live batting practice Thursday, and his next step will likely be a lengthy rehab assignment. It's unclear which affiliate he'll begin the assignment with, though it will be a significant step toward his return regardless of exactly where it occurs.

Miller was charged with a blown save in Thursday's 6-5 loss to Tampa Bay in 12 innings, allowing two runs (one earned) on one hit and three walks over two innings. He struck out four.

Jose Siri's game-tying homer in the bottom of the ninth was the first given up by Miller this year while also resulting in his first blown save in 12 chances. Despite Thursday's hiccup, it's been an excellent start to the season for the 26-year-old Miller -- his ERA now sits at 2.08 with a 0.88 WHIP and 51 strikeouts, the most among qualified relief pitchers, through 26 innings.