MLB Player News

Wicks (0-2) took the loss Friday, allowing four runs on five hits and four walks over four innings against Seattle. He struck out six.

Wicks struggled mightily with his control against the Mariners as his four walks matched the total from his two previous starts combined. The Cubs lefty got only 36.1 percent of his 94 pitches into the strike zone, but that is not unusual for him as his career rate was 34.6 percent entering Friday. Wicks will look to rebound in his next start, scheduled to come against the Diamondbacks on the road.

Irvin did not factor into the decision Friday against Oakland, allowing one run on one hit and two walks over six innings. He struck out five.

Irvin had one of the finest outings of his young career Friday night with the only blemish being a solo home run yielded to Lawrence Butler. The 27-year-old has looked like a reliable starter for the Nationals as he sports a 4.24 ERA, 1.06 WHIP and 14:5 K:BB over his first 17 innings. However, Irvin draws a much more difficult opponent in his next start, currently scheduled against the Dodgers on the road.

Suarez went 2-for-4 with a three-run homer during Friday's loss to St. Louis.

Suarez belted a three-run shot during Arizona's six-run fifth inning but the Cardinals would later surge back ahead to take the lead for good. The veteran infielder was stuck in a 10-game homeless drought prior to Friday's contest. He's up to five extra-base hits with 12 RBI and a 4:17 BB:K through 14 games.

Arenado went 3-for-5 with a three-run homer in Friday's win over Arizona.

Arenado started the Cardinals' big day with a three-run jack in the first inning. He snapped an uncharacteristic 39-game homeless drought dating back to last season. The veteran third baseman boosted his season slash line to .276/.295/.379 with four extra-base hits and eight RBI through 61 plate appearances.

Helsley struck out two batters in a perfect inning and earned a save against the Diamondbacks on Friday.

Helsley worked quickly Friday, needing just 11 pitches to finish off the 9-6 win. He's now converted five of his six save chances through eight appearances. He lowered his ERA to 3.38 with a strong 9:1 K:BB. Helsley has punched out four batters in two perfect frames since taking a loss against the Phillies on April 8.

Pfaadt did not factor into the decision Friday, allowing six runs on seven hits and two walks over six innings while striking out four in a loss to St. Louis.

The Cardinals jumped on Pfaadt quickly, highlighted by Nolan Arenado's three-run shot in the first inning. After they scored another run in the second, Lars Nootbaar went deep in the third. Pfaadt has been crushed for 11 runs over his last two starts, spiking his season ERA to 6.48 with a 17:3 K:BB through 16.2 frames. He's currently lined up to face the Cubs at home next week.

Matz yielded four runs (one earned) on eight hits over 4.2 innings during a no-decision against Arizona on Friday. He struck out two.

Matz repeatedly worked around potential danger through four shutout frames before Arizona woke up and scored six runs in the fifth inning, with four going on Matz's line. Fortunately for him, only one run was earned due to his own throwing error. Matz had allowed just two runs through 10.1 innings before Friday's start, which was his shortest outing of the year. The veteran southpaw is sporting a 1.80 ERA with an 8:3 K:BB over 15 frames. Matz is projected to start in Oakland next week.

Nootbaar went 1-for-4 with a two-run homer and a walk in Friday's win over Arizona.

Nootbaar made his season debut Friday after beginning the year on the injured list due to fractured ribs. He wasted little time making an impact, knocking a 110 mph, two-run shot off Diamondbacks starter Brandon Pfaadt in the third inning. Nootbaar finished the 2023 campaign with 14 long balls, 11 steals and a .784 OPS in 117 games. Now that he's healthy, the 26-year-old should see near-daily playing time.

McMahon went 4-for-6 with three doubles, two RBI and two runs scored in Friday's 12-4 win over Toronto.

It's already McMahon's sixth multi-hit game this season. The 29-year-old third baseman has gotten off to a red-hot start, batting .415 with a 1.107 OPS, two homers and 11 RBI through in his first 53 at-bats. While he may not have a great supporting cast in Colorado, McMahon's provided consistent production throughout his career, hitting 20-plus homers in four of his prior five seasons.

Encarnacion-Strand went 2-for-4 with three RBI and a run scored in Friday's win over the White Sox.

Encarnacion-Strand brought home a run with a sacrifice fly in the first inning and later added a two-run single in the eighth. The slugging righty has multiple hits in two of his last three games as he continues to search for his groove. He's gone seven straight games without an extra-base knock and currently owns a .454 OPS.