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Freddy Peralta SP | TB
Mets' Freddy Peralta: Rebounds with decent outing
Peralta allowed three unearned runs on five hits and one walk while striking out five batters over 5.2 innings in a no-decision against the Cubs on Thursday.
Peralta was pounded by Philadelphia for 10 runs over 2.2 innings in his previous start, so he was badly in need of a rebound coming into Thursday. The right-hander cruised through five scoreless innings, yielding just a pair of singles over that span. However, he ran into trouble in the sixth, giving up three runs before he was pulled having recorded only two outs. The rough frame didn't hurt Peralta's ERA, though -- all three runs were unearned because of an inning-opening error. Peralta has had a mostly disappointing first season in New York with a 4.53 ERA and 5-6 record through 16 starts, and he's lined up to next take the mound against the Blue Jays in Toronto.
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Trent Thornton RP | CHC
Cubs' Trent Thornton: Steps in for save
Thornton earned a save against the Mets on Thursday, retiring all three batters he faced with no strikeouts in the 10th inning.
The Cubs are without closer Daniel Palencia, who is on the injured list due to a flexor strain. Jacob Webb earned the team's first save following Palencia's injury, but he was deployed in the ninth inning Thursday and kept the game tied. After Chicago took a one-run lead in the top of the 10th, Thornton was called upon to close things out. He needed just 10 pitches to retire the side in order and notch the second save of his eight-year MLB career. The closer situation for the Cubs is hazy with Palencia out of the picture, so Thornton could be called upon again to close given his strong 2.86 ERA and 1.05 WHIP through 17 outings this season. However, he doesn't fit the typical closer profile, as he's recorded only 10 strikeouts across 22 innings.
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Matthew Boyd SP | CHC
Cubs' Matthew Boyd: Rusty but effective in return
Boyd allowed four hits and issued four walks while striking out four batters over 4.2 scoreless innings during a no-decision against the Mets on Thursday.
Boyd made his return after missing over seven weeks due to a knee injury and subsequent shoulder issue. The lefty kept New York off the scoreboard, though he struggled with his control, throwing just 46 of 76 pitches for strikes and issuing four free passes. Boyd did, however, get a hearty 14 whiffs and recorded big outs when needed, twice stranding a runner on third base. He was understandably on a limited pitch count following the lengthy absence and may need a couple more outings before he's ready for a full workload. The veteran hurler's next start is tentatively slated to be against the Padres in Chicago.
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Clayton Beeter RP | WAS
Nationals' Clayton Beeter: Can't put out fire in blown save
Beeter blew the save Thursday against the Phillies, as he was charged with no runs while allowing no hits and two walks in two-thirds of an inning.
Beeter was charged with his fourth blown save after allowing two inherited runners to score and tie the game in the seventh inning. Washington's beleaguered bullpen is searching for answers, as it surrendered 15 combined runs in the ninth inning over this four-game series with Philadelphia. The Nationals optioned the struggling Gus Varland to Triple-A Rochester immediately following Thursday's loss, likely rendering Beeter, who has a 3.33 ERA, 1.36 WHIP and 26:18 K:BB over 24.1 frames, as the favorite for saves while the team evaluates their high-leverage arms. Richard Lovelady could also be in the mix.
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Cristopher Sanchez SP | PHI
Phillies' Cristopher Sanchez: Rare letdown in no-decision
Sanchez took a no-decision Thursday against the Nationals, allowing five runs on seven hits and one walk in five innings. He struck out six.
Washington took it to Sanchez right away with four runs in the first inning, but the hurler settled in afterwards with four innings of one-run ball. The All-Star southpaw has now worked at least five frames in all 17 starts so far, and he's tied with Sandy Alcantara for the major-league lead with 110 innings on the year. Sanchez has been excellent otherwise in 2026, as he's set to carry a 2.13 ERA, 1.11 WHIP and 127:21 K:BB into his next scheduled start at home versus an upstart Pirates lineup.
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Cade Cavalli SP | WAS
Nationals' Cade Cavalli: Settles for no-decision
Cavalli took a no-decision Thursday against the Phillies, allowing two runs on five hits and one walk in six innings. He struck out seven.
The quality start was the first of the month for Cavalli, whose seven punchouts also marked his highest total in June so far. The 27-year-old right-hander was in line for the win, exiting the game with a 5-2 lead before the seventh inning, but Washington's much-maligned bullpen blew its 24th save of the season Thursday. Cavalli will take a pedestrian 4.00 ERA, 1.43 WHIP and 89:29 K:BB over 83.1 innings into his next scheduled outing in Boston against a Red Sox team that's struggled mightily at home in 2026.
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Gus Varland RP | WAS
Nationals' Gus Varland: Sent to Triple-A
Varland was optioned to Triple-A Rochester after Thursday's 10-5 loss to the Phillies.
Varland was tagged with the loss Thursday after he entered the contest with the score knotted up at 5-5 in the eighth inning, surrendering five runs on six hits while striking out two batters over two innings. The right-hander was able to blank the Phillies in the eighth inning before he came undone in the ninth, allowing five hits, including two homers. He has now given up 11 runs over seven frames in his last six appearances, watching his ERA balloon from 4.01 to 6.25 over 31.2 innings on the year. Varland was far from the only problem in the Nationals' bullpen recently, as the team combined to allow 15 ninth-inning runs over the final three contests of their four-game set with the Phillies.
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Graham Pauley 3B | MIA
Marlins' Graham Pauley: Joining big-league roster
Pauley is expected to be called up from Triple-A Jacksonville on Friday, Kevin Barral of FishonFirst.com reports.
Pauley will return to the major-league roster after being optioned to Jacksonville on May 29. The 25-year-old posted a .246 average with nine extra-base hits, including two homers, while also adding 11 RBI, seven runs scored and three stolen bases over 17 contests at the Triple-A level following his demotion. Connor Norby is expected to be sent to Jacksonville in a corresponding move.
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Brandon Pfaadt SP | ARI
Diamondbacks' Brandon Pfaadt: Next start uncertain
Pfaadt is not listed for a start this weekend against Tampa Bay.
Pfaadt was expected to make his return to the major-league roster and take the mound in Friday's series opener versus the Rays, but after Thursday's contest against the Cardinals was postponed, plans have evidently changed. Arizona is listing Zac Gallen, Jose Cabrera and Merrill Kelly as the probable starters for its three-game set in Tampa Bay. Pfaadt could still join the major-league rotation, but the Diamondbacks may now turn to him at some point during their three-game series at home versus the Giants that begins Monday.
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Michael McGreevy SP | STL
Cardinals' Michael McGreevy: Game postponed due to weather
McGreevy won't start as scheduled Thursday against the Diamondbacks after the game was postponed due to inclement weather in St. Louis, John Gambadoro of Arizona Sports 98.7 FM reports.
McGreevy will likely have his start pushed back a day and instead take the mound in Friday's series opener against Miami. The 25-year-old had a streak of three straight quality starts snapped last Friday in Kansas City, where he gave up five runs on eight hits and a walk over five frames.