MLB Player News

Contreras went 4-for-4 with a home run, a double, a walk, four RBI and three runs scored in Thursday's 13-1 win over the Diamondbacks.

Contreras was at the center of Milwaukee's offensive explosion, opening the scoring with an RBI double in the first inning before launching a 419-foot, two-run homer in the third to extend the lead. He added another RBI with a single in the fourth. The catcher finished with a perfect day at the plate, reaching base five times. The homer was his third of the season and his first since April 11. Contreras is now slashing .279/.355/.423 with seven doubles, 20 RBI and 18 runs scored across 124 plate appearances.

Dobbins didn't factor into the decision Thursday against the Pirates, allowing three runs on two hits and five walks in 4.1 innings. He struck out four.

Dobbins wasn't sharp in both his Cardinals and season debut coming off last year's knee surgery, tying a career worst in free passes and firing only 41 of his 79 pitches for strikes. St. Louis is working with a six-man rotation for the time being due to a lack of off days, so the 26-year-old right-hander might only be staying in the major leagues temporarily. That said, Dobbins appears likely to get at least one more turn through the rotation next week against the division-rival Brewers.

Soroka (4-1) took the loss Thursday against the Brewers, allowing eight runs on 10 hits and two walks while striking out two over three innings.

Soroka was hit hard from the start, allowing consistent contact and struggling to put hitters away. He threw 79 pitches and faced 21 batters, retiring just nine before being pulled in the fourth after surrendering four straight singles without recording an out. The outing was a stark contrast to Soroka's strong start to the season, as he had previously gone at least five innings in every outing, including two double-digit strikeout performances. The right-hander's ERA jumped from 2.60 to 4.70, and he now holds a 1.43 WHIP and 36:9 K:BB across 30.2 innings. Soroka is tentatively scheduled to face Pittsburgh in his next start.

The Phillies selected Richards' contract from Triple-A Lehigh Valley on Thursday.

Richards has been on a roll at Lehigh Valley, having collected a 1.93 ERA and 26:3 K:BB over his first 14 innings. The veteran righty is capable of handling multiple innings and is candidate for long-relief work in the second game of Thursday's doubleheader versus the Giants.

Skenes (4-2) took the loss Thursday against the Cardinals, allowing five runs (four earned) on eight hits and no walks in five innings. He struck out nine.

The Cardinals jumped all over the All-Star right-hander right away, bringing three runs across in the opening frame. One run against Skenes on Thursday went unearned due to a Pittsburgh throwing error, and the hurler was at least able to pitch deep enough into the outing to fan a season-high nine and reach the 100-pitch plateau for the first time this year. Skenes will carry a strong 3.18 ERA, 0.85 WHIP and 39:7 K:BB over 34 innings into his next start, which is projected to come in Arizona.

The Phillies placed Backhus on the 15-day injured list Thursday with left elbow inflammation.

It's unclear how long Backhus' elbow has been bothering him, but he hadn't pitched since Saturday. Trevor Richards will assume his spot on the roster and in the bullpen.

Weaver (2-1) was charged with the loss and a blown save Thursday against the Nationals, allowing two runs on two hits and no walks in the eighth inning. He struck out one.

Entering the game with a 4-3 lead Thursday, the right-hander served up a two-run home run to CJ Abrams for his second blown save of the year. Even though top closer Devin Williams has disastrous 8.00 ERA in 2026, Weaver hasn't been much better at preventing runs as his primary setup man. Through 12 frames, Weaver has a 6.00 ERA, 1.17 WHIP and 8:4 K:BB.

Varland secured the save Thursday against the Mets, allowing no runs on one hit and no walks in 1.1 innings. He struck out one.

The Nationals trusted the right-hander to record the final four outs Thursday, and Varland delivered despite letting the tying run to reach base. Primary closer Clayton Beeter (forearm) will spend at least one more week on the injured list, seemingly leaving the ninth-inning gig all to Varland for now. Varland is perhaps making a case for more save chances even when Beeter returns, posting a 2.84 ERA, 1.34 WHIP and 14:3 K:BB over 12.2 innings.

Marsh is not in the lineup for the second game of Thursday's doubleheader versus the Giants, Lochlahn March of The Philadelphia Inquirer reports.

After going 1-for-4 with a double and three strikeouts in the first tilt, Marsh will begin the second game of the twin bill on the bench. Kyle Schwarber is getting a rare start in left field, and Bryce Harper will be the Phillies' designated hitter in the nightcap.

Bailey isn't in the lineup for the second game of Thursday's doubleheader against the Phillies, Susan Slusser of the San Francisco Chronicle reports.

Bailey went 1-for-4 with a pair of strikeouts during the Giants' Game 1 loss, and he'll now move to the bench while Eric Haase starts at catcher and bats eighth.