MLB Player News

Luzardo didn't factor into the decision in Friday's 9-7 extra-innings loss to the Rockies, surrendering six runs on six hits and three walks over three-plus innings. He struck out six.

The volatile southpaw got tagged for one run in the first inning but seemed to steady the ship until the fourth, when the first seven Colorado batters reached base before Luzardo mercifully got the hook after 95 pitches (59 strikes). It's the third time in eight starts this season he's failed to last five innings, and the fourth time he's coughed up five or more runs, leaving him with a 5.98 ERA and 1.40 WHIP over 43.2 frames despite a seemingly elite 57:12 K:BB. Luzardo will try to regain his form in his next outing, which lines up to come on the road next week in Boston.

Freeman went 2-for-6 with a solo home run and a stolen base in Friday's 9-7 extra-innings win over the Phillies.

Getting the start in right field and batting second, Freeman took Tim Mayza deep in the seventh inning to give the Rockies a 7-2 lead, a run that proved to be crucial when the home side struck for five runs in the bottom of the eighth. Freeman has seen most of his playing time in the outfield so far, playing only four games at second base compared to 13 in right field and seven at DH, and in that role he's slashing .293/.376/.400 over 88 plate appearances with two homers, four steals, eight runs and 12 RBI.

McLean didn't factor into the decision Friday against the Diamondbacks, allowing one run on three hits and one walk with six strikeouts across six innings.

McLean hasn't picked up a win since April 3 against the Giants and hasn't factored into the decision in four of his past five starts. He generated just nine whiffs on 100 pitches against Arizona but continued to get strong results in what has been a great start to the season for the 24-year-old. McLean has a 1-2 record but owns a sterling 2.78 ERA, 0.90 WHIP and 57:12 K:BB across 45.1 innings. McLean is in the 95th percentile in strikeout rate and average exit velocity, and his 2.32 xERA points to McLean being a bonafide ace through eight starts.

Goodman went 4-for-5 with a two-run home run in Friday's 9-7 extra-innings win over the Phillies.

The slugging backstop took Jesus Luzardo deep in the fourth inning as the first seven Colorado batters reached base in the frame. Goodman's long ball was his 10th of the season, and through 35 games he's slashing .254/.324/.530 with 17 RBI and 25 runs, numbers that surprisingly haven't been bolstered by much production at home yet -- eight of his 10 homers have come on the road, and his OPS at Coors Field so far in 2026 is a meager .656, compared to a 1.020 mark closer to sea level.

Vodnik (1-2) picked up the win in Friday's 9-7 extra-innings victory over the Phillies, walking one and striking out two over two scoreless, no-hit innings.

Entering a tie game in the ninth inning, Vodnik shut down the heart of the Phillies' order and got rewarded for his efforts when his offense put two runs on the board in the top of the 11th. The right-hander is the clear top option in the Colorado bullpen, converting four of his six save chances so far in 2026, but pitching his home games at Coors Field has left its mark on his ratios in the early going. Vodnik has a 3.60 ERA in 10 road innings but a brutal 11.12 ERA in 5.2 frames at home.

Dollander didn't factor into the decision in Friday's 9-7 extra-innings win over the Phillies, allowing two runs on three hits and five walks over 5.2 innings. He struck out five.

The right-hander didn't give up a hit until the fourth inning and took a shutout into the sixth, but Dollander's control eventually cost him his second quality start of the season. He tossed just 48 of 89 pitches for strikes before getting lifted, with the five walks being a season high. Dollander has worked at least five innings in five straight appearances either as a traditional starter or a bulk reliever, posting a 2.76 ERA, 1.13 WHIP and 33:13 K:BB through 29.1 innings over that stretch. He'll look to tighten things up in his next trip to the mound, which is scheduled to come on the road next week in Pittsburgh.

Lodolo (0-1) took the loss Friday, giving up four runs on five hits and a walk over 5.1 innings as the Reds were routed 10-0 by the Astros. He struck out two.

Making his first start of the season after a blister issue cost him the first six weeks, Lodolo tossed 53 of 78 pitches for strikes but served up a pair of two-run homers, one by Zach Dezenzo in the second inning and the other by Yordan Alvarez in the sixth. Lodolo didn't shy away from using all his pitches, and his fingers appeared to emerge from the outing unscathed, but his velocity did decline in his final inning of work. The southpaw will look to build up his stamina and sharpen his command in his next trip to the mound, which is set to come at home next week against the Nationals.

Assad (3-1) tossed 3.2 scoreless innings of relief to earn the win in Friday's 7-1 victory over the Rangers. He allowed a hit and a walk while striking out one.

Ben Brown started for the Cubs and gave them four strong innings before turning things over to the bullpen. Assad stepped up with some important length and earned his third win of the year and second in relief. The righty has a subpar 6.00 ERA across 24 innings so far, but that figure is inflated by the nine runs he allowed on April 13 and the six runs he gave up on April 25. Outside of those two bad outings, Assad has a sharp 0.52 ERA.

Sasaki is no longer lined up to make a start during this weekend's series versus Atlanta and is now on track to make his next turn through the rotation Monday versus the Giants at Dodger Stadium, Jack Harris of the Los Angeles Times reports.

Blake Snell's (shoulder) impending return from the 15-day injured list had been expected to put Sasaki at risk of being bumped from the Dodgers' six-man rotation, but the latter will end up keeping his spot at least temporarily after Los Angeles placed Tyler Glasnow (back) on the IL on Friday. However, with Snell set to be activated Saturday for his 2026 team debut and with Justin Wrobleski in line to start Sunday, Sasaki will end up being pushed back in the pitching schedule to Monday, when he'll be taking the hill on eight days' rest. Sasaki took a step forward in covering a season-high six innings in his last start May 2 against the Cardinals but has still been the clear weak link in the Los Angeles rotation with a 5.97 ERA and 1.67 WHIP over 28.2 frames on the campaign.

Happ went 1-for-4 with a walk, an RBI and two runs scored in Friday's 7-1 win over the Rangers.

Happ extended his on-base streak to 29 games, which dates back to April 5. While the veteran's .243 batting average doesn't jump off the page, his .376 on-base percentage would be a new career high. Happ is buoying that on-base percentage with a nearly 17 percent walk rate, which would also be a new career best. As long as Happ keeps getting on base frequently, he should be able to score plenty of runs for the Cubs.