MLB Player News

Wheeler (2-1) earned the win against the Marlins on Friday, allowing two runs on five hits while striking out 13 in seven innings. He did not issue a walk.

Wheeler needed only 96 pitches (69 strikes) to make it through seven innings while generating 20 whiffs. The only blemish came in the sixth inning, when he gave up a two-run homer to Eric Wagaman, but Wheeler rebounded in the seventh by striking out the side. It was the second time Wheeler has fanned 10 batters or more in game this season, and his 13 strikeouts were the second most of his major-league career. He leads the National League with 41 strikeouts and is second in the majors behind Cole Ragans (42). Wheeler is lined up to face the Mets at Citi Field next week, where he'll look to earn a second straight win.

Wagaman went 1-for-3 with one walk and a two-run home run in Friday's 7-2 loss to Philadelphia.

Wagaman struck out in each of his first two at-bats, but he registered his second home run of the season when he took Zack Wheeler deep to left-center field for a 427-foot, two-run moonshot. Wagaman is in the midst of a six-game hitting streak, during which he's gone 8-for-18 with two walks, five runs scored, one home run and four RBI.

Alcantara (2-1) took the loss against the Phillies on Friday, allowing six runs on four hits and two walks while striking out one in two innings.

Alcantara put the Marlins on their back foot when he gave up a two-run homer to Bryce Harper in the first inning. Alcantara yielded four more runs in the second frame, and he did not return for the third inning after tossing 61 pitches (40 strikes) while generating only five whiffs. Friday's effort inflated Alcantara's ERA to 7.27 for the season, and he'll look to turn things around in his next start, tentatively slated for next week at home against the Reds.

Burnes didn't factor into the decision in Friday's 13-11 loss to the Cubs, allowing two runs on six hits while striking out three batters across six innings. He did not issue a walk.

Burnes put the Diamondbacks in an early hole by giving up a double to Pete Crow-Armstrong followed by a Carson Kelly home run in the second inning. Fortunately for Burnes (and fantasy managers), those were the only two runs he conceded Friday, as he managed to avoid the 11-run outburst the Cubs' offense would enjoy across the seventh and eighth frames. The 30-year-old righty was without his typical strikeout stuff yet again and now has fanned just nine batters over 17 innings across his last three starts. He'll look to recapture his previous form during his next start when the D-backs return home to take on the Rays.

Hodge allowed six runs on four hits and two walks while retiring only two batters in Friday's 13-11 win over the Diamondbacks.

Hodge entered in a tough spot, as he came on in the top of the eighth inning after Jordan Wicks allowed three straight hits to load the bases with no outs. Hodge proceeded to give up a Eugenio Suarez grand slam as part of a nightmare outing. The second-year righty saw his ERA spike from 2.00 to 7.45 in the process. Hodge has the talent to turn things around, though it may take him some time to drop his ERA back to a more respectable level.

Suzuki went 1-for-5 with a solo home run in Friday's 13-11 win over the Diamondbacks.

Suzuki was one of four Chicago players to go deep in the wild win, with Carson Kelly launching two home runs. Suzuki now has five home runs for the year to go along with a strong .913 OPS, which would represent a new career high. He can be considered a reliable fantasy option in all formats.

Tucker went 3-for-5 a two-run home run, a triple and two total runs scored in Friday's 13-11 win over the Diamondbacks.

Tucker hit his first triple of the season and his sixth home run in a wild win for the Cubs. The outfielder has settled in quite well with his new team, as he's now sporting a 1.055 OPS through 22 games. That OPS would represent a new career best for Tucker if he can keep up the pace. Over his last 10 games, he's gone 13-for-41 with six RBI and eight runs scored.

Kelly went 2-for-4 with a walk, two home runs, three total runs scored and five RBI in Friday's 13-11 win over the Diamondbacks.

Kelly had a monster game, going deep in the second inning with a runner on and then again in the eighth with three runners on. The veteran catcher now has six home runs and an absurd 1.675 OPS for the season. Kelly has seen his role grow due to the hot start, though Miguel Amaya is still seeing plenty of playing time as well.

Happ went 3-for-5 with a grand slam and two total runs scored in Friday's 13-11 win over the Diamondbacks.

Happ helped propel the Cubs to a 7-1 lead with his grand slam in the seventh inning, which was his second home run of the season. Chicago would proceed to allow 10 runs in the eighth but still rallied to win. The veteran Happ is starting to get going after a slow start. Over his last eight games, he's gone 12-for-35 with three extra-base knocks.

Phillips (shoulder) is expected to return to the Dodgers during their series against the Cubs starting April 22, David Vassegh of AM 570 LA Sports reports.

Phillips has been battling through a right shoulder strain since October, which prevented him from being on the Dodgers' World Series roster. He started the season on the 15-day injured list and embarked on his rehab assignment at Triple-A Oklahoma City on April 3, allowing six runs (four earned) on nine hits and one walk while striking out nine across 5.2 innings since. Barring any setbacks, Phillips should return to the Dodgers' bullpen next week.