MLB Player News

Manager Pat Murphy said Thursday that Woodruff (arm) will receive some time off before making his next start, Curt Hogg of the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel reports.

Woodruff averaged just 85 mph on his fastball during his start Thursday and was pulled after throwing only 21 pitches over 1.1 innings. He said after the game that he didn't feel any pain while on the mound but is instead dealing with a case of dead arm. There's a real chance that the 33-year-old ends up spending time on the injured list, though the Brewers will hold off on making a decision for now while they run additional tests on him. Logan Henderson is a likely candidate to join the big club and start in Woodruff's place.

Sal Frelick went 1-for-5 with a solo home run in Thursday's 13-1 win over the Diamondbacks.

Frelick added to Milwaukee's offensive outburst with a 402-foot solo shot off Brandon Pfaadt in the seventh inning, long after the game was already in hand. The homer was his third of the season and gives him two long balls over his last three games. Despite the recent power, Frelick's overall production remains modest, as he's now slashing .211/.311/.333 with three homers, nine RBI and 15 runs scored across 105 plate appearances.

Lazar (oblique) will begin a rehab assignment with Single-A Jersey Shore on Thursday.

Lazar has been out all season with a left oblique strain he suffered during the World Baseball Classic while playing for Team Israel. He is on the 60-day injured list and not eligible to return until late May, so Lazar will make several rehab appearances before the Phillies consider adding him back to their active roster.

Contreras went 4-for-4 with a home run, a double, a walk, four RBI and three runs scored in Thursday's 13-1 win over the Diamondbacks.

Contreras was at the center of Milwaukee's offensive explosion, opening the scoring with an RBI double in the first inning before launching a 419-foot, two-run homer in the third to extend the lead. He added another RBI with a single in the fourth. The catcher finished with a perfect day at the plate, reaching base five times. The homer was his third of the season and his first since April 11. Contreras is now slashing .279/.355/.423 with seven doubles, 20 RBI and 18 runs scored across 124 plate appearances.

Dobbins didn't factor into the decision Thursday against the Pirates, allowing three runs on two hits and five walks in 4.1 innings. He struck out four.

Dobbins wasn't sharp in both his Cardinals and season debut coming off last year's knee surgery, tying a career worst in free passes and firing only 41 of his 79 pitches for strikes. St. Louis is working with a six-man rotation for the time being due to a lack of off days, so the 26-year-old right-hander might only be staying in the major leagues temporarily. That said, Dobbins appears likely to get at least one more turn through the rotation next week against the division-rival Brewers.

Soroka (4-1) took the loss Thursday against the Brewers, allowing eight runs on 10 hits and two walks while striking out two over three innings.

Soroka was hit hard from the start, allowing consistent contact and struggling to put hitters away. He threw 79 pitches and faced 21 batters, retiring just nine before being pulled in the fourth after surrendering four straight singles without recording an out. The outing was a stark contrast to Soroka's strong start to the season, as he had previously gone at least five innings in every outing, including two double-digit strikeout performances. The right-hander's ERA jumped from 2.60 to 4.70, and he now holds a 1.43 WHIP and 36:9 K:BB across 30.2 innings. Soroka is tentatively scheduled to face Pittsburgh in his next start.

The Phillies selected Richards' contract from Triple-A Lehigh Valley on Thursday.

Richards has been on a roll at Lehigh Valley, having collected a 1.93 ERA and 26:3 K:BB over his first 14 innings. The veteran righty is capable of handling multiple innings and is candidate for long-relief work in the second game of Thursday's doubleheader versus the Giants.

Skenes (4-2) took the loss Thursday against the Cardinals, allowing five runs (four earned) on eight hits and no walks in five innings. He struck out nine.

The Cardinals jumped all over the All-Star right-hander right away, bringing three runs across in the opening frame. One run against Skenes on Thursday went unearned due to a Pittsburgh throwing error, and the hurler was at least able to pitch deep enough into the outing to fan a season-high nine and reach the 100-pitch plateau for the first time this year. Skenes will carry a strong 3.18 ERA, 0.85 WHIP and 39:7 K:BB over 34 innings into his next start, which is projected to come in Arizona.

The Phillies placed Backhus on the 15-day injured list Thursday with left elbow inflammation.

It's unclear how long Backhus' elbow has been bothering him, but he hadn't pitched since Saturday. Trevor Richards will assume his spot on the roster and in the bullpen.

Weaver (2-1) was charged with the loss and a blown save Thursday against the Nationals, allowing two runs on two hits and no walks in the eighth inning. He struck out one.

Entering the game with a 4-3 lead Thursday, the right-hander served up a two-run home run to CJ Abrams for his second blown save of the year. Even though top closer Devin Williams has disastrous 8.00 ERA in 2026, Weaver hasn't been much better at preventing runs as his primary setup man. Through 12 frames, Weaver has a 6.00 ERA, 1.17 WHIP and 8:4 K:BB.