MLB Player News

Soroka (4-2) allowed one run on seven hits and two walks while striking out six over 6.1 innings to take the loss versus the Pirates on Wednesday.

Soroka gave up a solo home run to Brandon Lowe in the second at-bat of the game, and that was the difference. Even with the unlucky loss, this was a fantastic bounce-back effort for the right-hander after he was tagged for eight runs over three frames in his previous start. Soroka is now at a 4.14 ERA, 1.43 WHIP and 42:11 K:BB across 37 innings through seven starts this year. He's projected for a road matchup with the Rangers in his next outing.

Perkins (2-1) was charged with the loss and a blown save Wednesday against the Phillies, allowing four runs (two earned) on two hits and one walk in 1.1 innings. He struck out two.

Perkins, who has been emerging as the Athletics' primary closer as of late, entered in the seventh inning Wednesday. The right-hander tossed a clean seventh before unraveling in the eighth, recording just one more out. A throwing error by Jeff McNeil prevented two of the runs from being earned, but nonetheless Wednesday's usage shows that roles remain fluid in the bullpen. Through 14.2 innings, he has a 3.68 ERA, 1.16 WHIP and 19:4 K:BB while converting three of his four save chances.

Wolfram picked up a hold Wednesday against the Marlins, allowing one run on two hits and no walks in two-thirds of an inning.

The 29-year-old left-hander has now given up five earned runs in his last nine appearances, so he appears to be well out of contention for save chances in the absence of closer Ryan Helsley's (elbow). Although Wolfram has a superb 20:1 K:BB with five holds over 13 innings, he also has a rocky 4.85 ERA and 1.54 WHIP.

DeLuca went 1-for-4 with an RBI double and a run scored in Wednesday's 3-0 win over Toronto.

DeLuca doubled off Blue Jays southpaw Patrick Corbin for his seventh two-bagger of the year. While DeLuca tends to sit versus right-handed pitching, he's been effective in his part-time role for the Rays. Over 34 at-bats against left-handers, the righty-hitting outfielder is batting .294 with two home runs, four doubles and nine RBI.

Kelly picked up a hold Wednesday against Toronto, allowing two hits and no walks in a scoreless inning of work.

Although the 28-year-old right-hander hasn't received a save opportunity since early April, he's still been a key part of Tampa Bay's bullpen despite falling out of favor in the Rays' closer picture. Kelly sports a 3.45 ERA, 0.83 WHIP and 13:4 K:BB across 15.2 innings this year while also collecting six holds.

Keller picked up the save Wednesday against the Athletics, allowing no runs on one hit and two walks in the ninth inning. He struck out one.

Closer Jhoan Duran was shaky in his return from the injured list Tuesday, allowing one run in the ninth frame, and he was presumably unavailable to work back-to-back days immediately after coming off the IL. Keller let the possible tying run get aboard Wednesday, but he was able to strand the bases loaded for a scoreless outing. The right-hander has converted all three of his save chances while posting a 4.02 ERA, 1.21 WHIP and 16:6 K:BB over 15.2 innings this year, but he'll likely revert back to a setup role once Duran is fully back up to speed.

Springs didn't factor into the decision Wednesday against the Phillies, allowing two runs on eight hits and no walks in 5.1 innings. He struck out four.

The 33-year-old southpaw filled the zone Wednesday -- perhaps to a fault -- as he threw 55 of his 75 pitches for strikes but gave up his second-most knocks of the year. Even so, Springs managed to limit the damage and has now tossed at least five frames in every start so far this season, except for the outing prior to Wednesday, when he was lifted early due to hip soreness. He'll bring a 3.89 ERA, 1.14 WHIP and 39:12 K:BB across 44 innings into his next outing, which is set to come against the Cardinals.

Wheeler didn't factor into the decision Wednesday against the Athletics, allowing three runs on five hits and one walk in 6.1 innings. He struck out four.

Despite being taken deep for the first time this year, Wheeler registered his second consecutive quality start Wednesday. The three-time All-Star pitched a season-high 6.1 frames, and it was also encouraging to see his fastball touch 96 mph on six occasions among his season-most 98 pitches. Wheeler has a 3.12 ERA, 0.98 WHIP and 18:6 K:BB over his first 17.1 innings, and he'll aim to further build up his velocity his next time out in Boston.

Happ went 3-for-5 with a two-run homer, a stolen base and an additional run scored during the Cubs' 7-6 extra-inning win over the Reds on Wednesday.

Happ gave the Cubs an early 2-1 lead after crushing a two-run blast off Brady Singer in the first inning, and the former came home to score in the fourth on a double by Seiya Suzuki. Happ is up to nine home runs on the year and extended his on-base streak to 27 games, which dates back to April 5 against the Guardians. The veteran outfielder is slashing .248/.379/.511 with two steals, 17 RBI and 28 runs across 161 plate appearances this season.

Milner was charged with a blown save during the Cubs' 7-6 extra-inning win over the Reds on Wednesday after giving up a run on one hit and one walk while striking out one batter in the ninth inning.

The Cubs initially turned to Corbin Martin to protect the team's 4-2 lead in the ninth, but Milner had to be brought in after the former gave up a solo homer before loading the bases. Milner struck out the first batter he faced but ended up allowing three runs to cross the plate (two inherited), which was enough for him to be tagged with the blown save. He shouldn't see many more save opportunities this season, as Daniel Palencia is the Cubs' preferred closer after recently coming off the 15-day IL.