MLB Player News

Ashby (4-0) earned the win in relief Wednesday against the Blue Jays after pitching a scoreless eighth inning, allowing one hit and one walk while striking out three.

Ashby allowed a two-out single to Daulton Varsho and later walked Vladimir Guerrero, but he closed out the frame by punching out Myles Straw. Ashby has been a reliable arm out of the bullpen for the Brewers, posting a 22:6 K:BB across 13.2 innings in 10 appearances. His 3.29 ERA is far from appealing, but he should continue to have strong fantasy upside due to his ability to miss bats while also maintaining a high-leverage role out of the Brewers' pen.

Patrick didn't factor into the decision Wednesday against the Blue Jays, tossing 6.2 innings of one-run ball while allowing three hits and two walks. He struck out two.

The 9:7 K:BB is a bit concerning for Patrick, as the inability to record strikeouts and the failure to pitch deep into games have limited his upside considerably despite holding a 0.95 ERA with a 1.16 WHIP through his first four starts. Patrick pitched past the sixth inning for the first time this season, and he'll look to build on this performance in his next start, which is tentatively scheduled for next week at home against the Tigers.

Boyd (biceps) will make a rehab start with Triple-A Iowa on Thursday, Tommy Birch of the Des Moines Register reports.

Boyd is expected to require just the one rehab outing, setting him up to rejoin the Cubs' rotation as soon as Tuesday at Wrigley Field against the Phillies. The veteran southpaw has missed the last two weeks of action with a left biceps strain. Boyd allowed eight runs (seven earned) with a 17:3 K:BB over 9.1 innings in his first two starts of the season before getting hurt.

Contreras went 2-for-4 with an RBI single in Wednesday's win over the Blue Jays.

Contreras came through for the Brewers in the eighth inning, when his single to right field scored David Hamilton to tie the game. This two-hit performance also extended Contreras' hitting streak to 10 games, a stretch in which he's slashing .350/.435/.475 with a .910 OPS, a home run, six RBI, six runs scored and a 6:5 BB:K across 46 plate appearances.

Stephenson is not in the lineup for Thursday's tilt versus the Giants.

Stephenson started behind the dish in the first two games of the series, so he'll get a breather for Thursday's matinee. P.J. Higgins will do the catching and bat ninth for the Reds.

Ramos is not in the lineup for Thursday's contest in Cincinnati.

Ramos isn't dealing with any known injury, but this will be his second straight game he's been absent from the lineup. He did come off the bench to deliver an RBI single in Wednesday's contest, but Ramos is slashing just .234/.258/.266 with a 2:24 BB:K in his first 17 contests this season. Will Brennan, Drew Gilbert and Jung Hoo Lee will form the Giants' outfield trio again Thursday.

Atlanta optioned Harris to Triple-A Gwinnett on Thursday.

Harris was promoted Tuesday but didn't make an appearance during his brief time with the big club. His roster spot will be taken by Martin Perez, who is slated to be called up to start Friday in Philadelphia.

Atlanta selected Hamilton's contract from Triple-A Gwinnett on Thursday.

Hamilton didn't make the Opening Day roster after inking a split contract over the offseason, but he'll get a look with the big club now after allowing two runs with a 9:1 K:BB over his first 6.1 innings at Gwinnett. The 30-year-old has typically been pretty effective when healthy, authoring a 3.45 ERA and 152:62 K:BB over the last three seasons with the Yankees. He'll work in middle relief.

Rockies manager Warren Schaeffer confirmed that Dollander will cover the bulk of the innings out of the bullpen behind opening pitcher Juan Mejia during Thursday's game against the Astros in Houston, Eli Whitney of BlakeStreetBanter.com reports.

After making a one-inning appearance in his most recent outing Sunday against the Padres, Dollander was expected to continue serving in a more traditional relief role this week with the Rockies getting Jose Quintana (hamstring) back from the injured list Wednesday, but Kyle Freeland's (shoulder) move to the IL in a corresponding transaction has left a rotation spot open. The Rockies will turn to Dollander to essentially take Freeland's turn Thursday, but the 24-year-old righty will probably need a strong showing against the Astros to ensure he receives additional bulk-relief appearances or starts. Tanner Gordon struck out four over four scoreless innings of long relief in Wednesday's 3-1 loss, giving the Rockies a viable alternative the next time as a fifth starter is needed if Dollander can't get the job done.

Mejia is listed as the Rockies' opening pitcher for Thursday's game against the Astros.

The 25-year-old righty will be making his first MLB start Thursday, but because he hasn't covered more than two innings in any of his appearances during the regular season or spring training, he's unlikely to work more than once through the batting order before exiting the game. Rockies manager Warren Schaeffer confirmed that Chase Dollander will work in bulk relief behind Mejia on Thursday, per Eli Whitney of BlakeStreetBanter.com.