MLB Player News

Mejia (0-3) was tagged with the loss in relief Friday against Atlanta, allowing two runs on two hits and two walks while striking out one in one inning.

Mejia entered the game in the top of the ninth inning in a tie game, but he couldn't hold the score. Mejia walked Kyle Farmer and was later taken deep by Michael Harris, who launched his seventh homer of the campaign. This marks the fourth time Mejia has allowed multiple runs in his 13 outings this season. He owns a 5.87 ERA and 1.83 WHIP in 2026.

Quintana didn't factor into the decision Friday against Atlanta, tossing six innings of one-run ball while allowing five hits and striking out three. He did not issue a walk.

Quintana was coming off his best start of the season, allowing one run on two hits and two walks while striking out five over 5.1 innings against the Mets on April 26, and he rode the momentum to his first quality start of the season in this matchup. Quintana endured significant struggles in the early stages of the campaign and posted a 6.23 ERA and 4:9 K:BB through 13 innings in his first three outings, but he's bounced back with a 1.59 ERA and 8:2 K:BB in 11.1 frames in his past two. He's scheduled to make his next start at home against the Mets.

Fuentes (1-0) earned the win in relief Friday against the Rockies after tossing a scoreless eighth inning. He did not record a walk or a strikeout.

Fuentes allowed a baserunner when he plunked Tyler Freeman, but that would be the only threat in an inning in which he had some issues finding the strike zone -- he tossed only eight of his 15 pitches for strikes. Fuentes has looked good overall since returning from Triple-A Gwinnett, posting back-to-back scoreless and hitless appearances with a 1:1 K:BB through three frames.

Holmes didn't factor into the decision Friday against the Rockies, allowing six runs (five earned) on seven hits and three walks across five innings. He struck out four.

This was far from Holmes' best outing, though the expectations weren't very high considering the disadvantage that Coors Field represents from a pitching perspective. The reality is that Holmes has been trending in the wrong direction, as he has just one quality start over his last four outings. During that stretch, the right-hander has a 5.95 ERA and 1.53 WHIP with a 15:9 K:BB across 19.2 innings. He's scheduled to make his next start on the road against the Mariners next week.

Suarez earned the save Friday against the Rockies, allowing one hit and striking out one in a scoreless ninth inning.

Suarez entered the game with a two-run lead after Atlanta scored two runs in the top of the ninth, and he needed 17 pitches (12 strikes) to get the job done. Even though Suarez gave up a one-out single to Brenton Doyle, he closed the door by retiring Edouard Julien and Mickey Moniak. Suarez has gone 4-for-4 in save chances this season and should continue to have elite fantasy upside as long as Raisel Iglesias (shoulder) remains on the injured list. Suarez has a spotless 0.00 ERA and 0.67 WHIP with a 6:1 K:BB in his last six innings and six appearances.

Kelly went 2-for-4 with an RBI and a run scored in Friday's 6-5 win over the Diamondbacks.

Kelly has been an offensive force so far for the Cubs, as he's slashing .316/.413/.443 through 24 games. He's established himself as the clear top backstop in Chicago across the past two seasons, though Miguel Amaya is one of the more talented complementary options in the league. Kelly should continue to see the majority of the playing time moving forward, and his hot bat warrants attention in most fantasy formats.

Walker went 4-for-4 with two doubles, two RBI, two runs scored and a stolen base in Friday's win over the Dodgers.

This was Walker's fourth straight game with a hit and seventh consecutive contest reaching base, as the outfielder continues to enjoy a breakout start to the 2026 campaign. Over that seven-game stretch, Walker has three multi-hit performances while slashing .407/.469/.593 with a homer, nine RBI, five runs scored and two stolen bases. He's been the driving force on offense for the Cardinals all season and is on pace to deliver career-best numbers across all categories.

Liberatore (1-1) earned the win Friday against the Dodgers, allowing two runs on five hits and two walks across 5.2 innings, striking out four.

Liberatore bounced back after giving up five runs and three homers in a no-decision against the Mariners in his last start. This time, he was facing one of the best offenses in the majors, but he did a good job of keeping the ball in the park while ending just one out shy of recording what would've been his third quality start of the campaign. Liberatore isn't a pitcher that's going to overpower hitters, as he's fanned more than four just once in his seven starts, and his 23:13 K:BB across 36 innings doesn't really stand out, but he's a decent innings eater. He'll take a 4.50 ERA and 1.50 WHIP into his next start, which is scheduled for next week at home against the Brewers.

Busch went 2-for-4 with a double and two RBI in Friday's 6-5 win over the Diamondbacks.

Busch got May off to a good start with a two-hit performance that raised his season batting average above .200. It's been a struggle so far for the first baseman, though he's been better lately with a .268/.375/.488 slash line across his last 10 games. Busch's slow start, combined with Nico Hoerner's hot start, compelled the Cubs to make the latter their primary leadoff hitter, but Hoerner exited Friday's contest with a neck issue. If he has to miss time, Busch is an option to bat first, at least against righties, which is something he did often in 2025.

Sheehan (2-1) took the loss Friday against the Cardinals, allowing four runs on eight hits, including two home runs, across 4.2 innings. He struck out eight and did not issue a walk.

Sheehan has posted an impressive 18:1 K:BB in 11 innings over his last two starts, but even with the strikeouts Friday, he endured arguably his worst outing since his season debut, when he allowed four runs on 3.1 frames in a no-decision against the Diamondbacks on March 27. Through six starts, Sheehan has gone 2-1 with a 5.23 ERA, 1.32 WHIP and 36:9 K:BB in 31 innings. He's a good source of strikeouts, but he's struggled with run prevention, allowing three or more earned runs in four of his six appearances thus far. Sheehan is slated to make his next start on the road against the Astros.