MLB Player News

Winn (3-7) suffered the loss Sunday, allowing seven runs on six hits and two walks over 4.1 innings against the Rangers. He struck out seven.

At least Winn was efficient in needing just 69 pitches while allowing eight baserunners and striking out seven. Otherwise, there wasn't much else good to glean from his start. He allowed five runs in the first two innings, then was pulled in the fifth after allowing a walk and a double, with both runners eventually coming in to score to leave him with a final line of seven runs allowed. The other positive is that Winn was able to return to the hill after landing on the IL with the dreaded forearm strain in mid-May. However, it was more of the same as he had allowed 17 runs in three starts spanning 8.1 innings prior to landing on the injured list. If Winn is able to maintain his spot in the rotation, his next start is tentatively slated to take place next weekend when the Giants host the Angels.

Ashcraft was promoted to Triple-A Indianapolis on Sunday, Alex Stumpf of MLB.com reports.

Ashcraft has pitched very well with Double-A Altoona to begin the 2024 season, maintaining a 3.69 ERA and 1.11 WHIP with an excellent 63:8 K:BB across 53.2 innings. He's already on the 40-man roster, so if he continues to have the same level of success with Indianapolis, Ashcraft could be in line for his big-league debut at some point this summer.

Gray (elbow) struck out two while allowing three earned runs on three hits and one walk across three innings Sunday in a rehab start for Single-A Fredericksburg.

Gray tossed 43 pitches (26 strikes) in the outing, his first at any level since landing on the 15-day injured list April 9 with a right flexor strain. He's expected to shift his rehab assignment to Double-A Harrisburg during the upcoming week, and Gray will likely require an additional start in the minors after that before making his return from the IL.

Happ went 1-for-3 with a double, three RBI, two walks and two stolen bases in Sunday's 4-2 win over Cincinnati.

Happ slugged a bases-clearing double in the first inning and stole multiple bases for the first time this season. The switch-hitting Happ has now collected three steals over his past five games, upping his season total to five. If Happ can continue his recent success on the basepaths, his fantasy value will receive a tremendous boost. On the season, the 29-year-old is batting .222 with six home runs, 30 RBI, 31 runs scored and five stolen bases across 258 plate appearances.

Diaz (shoulder) pitched a scoreless inning Sunday for High-A Brooklyn and could return from the 15-day injured list as soon as Tuesday, Anthony DiComo of MLB.com reports.

A report from earlier in the week suggested Diaz could return Wednesday or Thursday, so DiComo's report bumps up his potential return by a day. Catcher Francisco Alvarez (thumb) is also tracking toward a potential return from the IL on Tuesday.

Neris picked up his ninth save of the season Sunday against the Reds, striking out two batters in a scoreless ninth inning. He did not allow a baserunner.

Neris was sharp, striking out the first two batters he faced before inducing a groundout to secure a 4-2 victory for the Cubs. The 34-year-old veteran has enjoyed a nice start to the month of June, notching saves in three of his four appearances and a win in the other. During that stretch, Neris has pitched four scoreless innings, allowing just one hit and two walks while collecting six strikeouts.

Graterol (shoulder) will throw a bullpen session this week in Arizona, Bill Plunkett of The Orange County Register reports.

As Plunkett notes, this is the first positive news regarding Graterol in a while, as he has been out all season due to right shoulder inflammation/pain. The hard-throwing righty would likely need to throw several bullpen sessions before advancing to face live hitters.

Alvarez (thumb) resumed his rehab assignment Sunday with High-A Brooklyn, starting at catcher while going 0-for-5 in a 7-6 loss to Aberdeen.

After going 3-for-14 with a home run and three walks across the first five games of his rehab assignment, Alvarez had been out of the Brooklyn lineup for each of the previous three days while tending to a family matter in his native Venezuela. He rejoined Brooklyn for its final game of the week, and though he came up empty at the plate, getting additional at-bats under his belt is the more pressing concern for Alvarez as he looks to prove he's made a full recovery from the left thumb surgery he underwent in late April. If the Mets are comfortable with Alvarez's health coming out of Sunday's contest, he could be activated from the 10-day injured list for the start of the big club's series with the Marlins that begins Tuesday.

Jones did not factor into the decision Sunday against Minnesota, allowing three runs (two earned) on six hits and three walks in five innings. He struck out three.

Jones struggled to find his footing early, allowing all three of his runs in a shaky first inning during which he walked two batters and allowed the bases to be loaded with just one out. The 22-year-old rookie was able to settle in afterward, but his control has been a minor cause of concern recently -- Sunday was his fourth consecutive game allowing multiple walks. In that span, Jones has compiled a 4.25 ERA, a 1.46 WHIP and a meager 16:11 K:BB over 21.2 innings. Jones is still an excellent fantasy option, although he will be tested in his next start, currently scheduled for next weekend at Coors Field in Colorado.

Burger went 1-for-4 with a solo home run during Sunday's 6-3 loss to the Guardians.

Burger went 0-for-3 with two strikeouts in his first three plate appearances Sunday but flipped his production in the ninth inning with a solo homer off Emmanuel Clase. The long ball was his fifth of the year and just his second in 31 games. On the season, Burger owns a .597 OPS but is striking out at a 24.4 percent clip, which would be a career low if it holds.