MLB Player News

Lucchesi (0-1) took the loss against Philadelphia on Wednesday, allowing five runs on five hits and four walks while striking out two batters over 4.1 innings.

It certainly wasn't an ideal matchup for Lucchesi to make his first start of the season, and he didn't do himself any favors in issuing four free passes. Three of the walks came in the fifth frame, and all three of the recipients came around to score. The left-hander was also tormented by Bryce Harper, who hit a solo homer against him in the first inning and then sent him to the showers with a two-run double in the fifth. Lucchesi may return to the minors in short order with Tylor Megill (shoulder) expected to rejoin New York's rotation Sunday or Monday.

Suarez (8-0) earned the win over the Mets on Wednesday, allowing two unearned runs on four hits and two walks while striking out three batters over five innings.

Suarez allowed a run in each of the first and third frames, but neither run was earned. The left-hander thus lowered his season ERA to 1.37, third best in the majors among qualified starters. Suarez also leads the league with eight victories and a 0.76 WHIP, and he has yet to take a loss. He's among the early contenders for Cy Young consideration in the National League and has been one of fantasy's most impactful sleepers.

Doyle went 1-for-4 with a solo home run, an additional run and a walk Wednesday in an 8-0 victory against San Diego.

Doyle's second-inning solo shot put Colorado on the board, and he crossed the plate again in the third following a one-out walk. The center fielder has reached base safely in eight straight contests and is batting .333 (9-for-27) with two homers, five RBI, nine runs and four stolen bases over that stretch. He still has a problematic 27.9 percent strikeout rate on the campaign, but it's been a more-tolerable 21.4 percent during the eight-game span.

Beck went 3-for-4 with a home run, a double and five total RBI in an 8-0 win against the Padres on Wednesday.

Beck came into Wednesday batting .191 with a 42.6 percent strikeout rate, but he was showing signs of breaking out with a four-game hitting streak while recording his first career RBI in his most recent contest. The 23-year-old may have announced his arrival with Wednesday's huge performance, during which he finished a triple short of a cycle. Beck doubled home two runs in the second inning, swatted a two-run homer in the sixth and added an RBI single in the eighth. The homer was his first as a major leaguer, though he's flashed plenty of power in the minors, racking up 33 long balls across 177 contests since being drafted in 2022.

King (3-4) took the loss against the Rockies on Wednesday, allowing six runs on eight hits and two walks while striking out seven betters over 5.1 innings.

King fell behind when he yielded three runs in the second inning, and San Diego's offense never put up a fight against Austin Gomber and a trio of Rockies relievers. King had been on a roll coming into Wednesday, putting up 13 scoreless frames over his previous two starts, but he's been very inconsistent this season, giving up at least four runs in four of his 10 appearances. Altogether, he's registered a mediocre 4.31 ERA and 1.36 WHIP along with a 61:26 K:BB through 54.1 innings.

Gomber (1-2) earned the win against San Diego on Wednesday, pitching six scoreless innings during which he allowed two hits and walked two batters while striking out five.

The only two hits Gomber allowed were singles that the Padres couldn't cash in. The southpaw completed six innings for the fourth straight game and notched his third consecutive quality start. Wednesday's victory was his first of the campaign, but it was overdue based on how he's been pitching of late. Over his past three outings, Gomber has allowed just one earned run across 18.2 frames despite a mediocre 13:6 K:BB.

Crow-Armstrong went 2-for-4 with a triple, a run scored and two RBI in Wednesday's 7-1 win over Atlanta. He also stole a base.

Crow-Armstrong continues to show off his speed, as he recorded his first triple and fourth stolen base across 21 games this season. The 22-year-old is in a crowded outfield with the likes of Ian Happ, Cody Bellinger and Seiya Suzuki all healthy and commanding regular playing time. However, Crow-Armstrong has plenty of talent, and his future outlook is bright even if he mostly serves as a reserve in 2024.

Suzuki went 2-for-5 with a double, a solo home run and another run scored in Wednesday's 7-1 win over Atlanta.

Suzuki is batting just .217 in five games since returning from an oblique injury, though he has a strong .280 average and .825 OPS on the season. Those numbers are in line with the .285 average and .842 OPS the outfielder posted last year, when he also delivered a career-high 20 home runs. Suzuki only has four long balls so far in 2024, but he's been a consistent hitter at the MLB level and could get the power rolling in short order.

Tauchman went 2-for-5 with a solo home run in Wednesday's 7-1 win over Atlanta.

Tauchman was effective from the leadoff spot as he delivered his fourth home run of the season and first since April 28. The veteran started in left field in this one with Ian Happ getting the night off, but the Cubs now have a crowded outfield that features Tauchman, Happ, Cody Bellinger, Seiya Suzuki and Pete Crow-Armstrong. This could push Tauchman to the bench on a frequent basis, though the team seems intent on getting him regular playing time, and he's earned it with a strong .821 OPS so far.

Assad (4-0) tossed six scoreless innings to earn the win Wednesday against Atlanta. He allowed four hits and a walk, while striking out seven.

Assad has now allowed two earned runs or fewer in all nine of his starts this season, which has allowed him to compile a stellar 1.49 ERA across 48.1 innings. The young righty was effective as a long reliever last year and it was uncertain in spring training if he'd be able to grab a rotation spot, but at this point, it would seem unlikely that he's moved back to the bullpen given his strong play. Assad will look to keep rolling as a starter in his next scheduled outing, which is penciled in for Tuesday against this same Atlanta squad.