• Receiving another start
    Black is scheduled to start Saturday's game against the Reds in San Francisco.

    Advice: Black was touched up for five earned runs on eight hits and three walks over 4.1 innings in his MLB debut versus the Phillies on Monday, but he'll get at least one more chance to prove he belongs in the San Francisco rotation. The matchup with a Reds offense that ranks in the bottom five of the majors this season with an 80 wRC+ is a far more favorable one than the potent Phillies lineup he faced Monday, and Black will also have the luxury of taking the hill in the pitcher-friendly confines of Oracle Park. Rotowire.com Today, 7:11 am
     
  • No longer starting Friday
    Taillon won't start Friday in Pittsburgh, as the Cubs list Javier Assad as the starter for the series opener versus the Pirates, Maddie Lee of the Chicago Sun-Times reports.

    Advice: The Cubs had previously listed Taillon as their probable starter for Friday, so the late change perhaps hints that the right-hander may be tending to an injury. The decision to have Assad take the hill for the series opener wouldn't seem to be the result of any dissatisfaction with Taillon's performance, as the 32-year-old has opened his second season with the Cubs with a 3-0 record, 1.13 ERA and 0.88 WHIP over 24 innings. Justin Steele will take the hill on four days' rest to start Saturday, while the Cubs are listing their starter for Sunday's series finale as "TBA." More clarity on the Cubs' plans for Sunday -- as well as when Taillon might next pitch -- should come prior to Friday's contest, when manager Craig Counsell meets with the media. Rotowire.com Today, 6:37 am
  • Heads back to minors
    The Rangers optioned Leiter to Triple-A Round Rock on Thursday.

    Advice: Leiter was up as the 27th man during Wednesday's doubleheader versus the Athletics and got rocked for six runs (four earned) over four innings. Because he was the designated 27th man, the 15-day rule doesn't apply to Leiter, who remains an option to make a start next week versus the Guardians. Rotowire.com Today, 6:17 am
     
  • Another dreadful outing
    Detmers (3-4) was hit with the loss against the Royals on Thursday, allowing six runs on seven hits and two walks while striking out five over five innings.

    Advice: Detmers cruised through the first two innings before failing to retire either of the first four batters to open the third, eventually leading to four runs coming across for Kansas City. He was touched up again in the fifth for another two runs, marking his third consecutive outing in which he's allowed at least five runs. Surprisingly, the lefty has still managed to get through at least five innings in all eight of his starts this season despite his recent struggles, though he's now lost each of his last four decisions (spanning four starts). Rotowire.com Today, 6:15 am
  • Picks up second win
    Wacha (2-4) picked up the win over the Angels on Thursday, allowing three runs (two earned) on three hits and five walks over six innings. He struck out six.

    Advice: Wacha produced three 1-2-3 innings and mostly avoided trouble up until the seventh when he allowed three runs to come across for the Angels. The right-hander issued a season-high five walks on the night, with the latter two sending runs home for Los Angeles. However, Wacha was still able to get through six innings for the first time in his last four starts while recording his first win since April 6 against the White Sox. He now carries an 8.38 ERA in May (two starts), posting a 9:6 K:BB over that stretch. Rotowire.com Today, 6:09 am
  • Fans six in no-decision
    Myers did not factor into the decision in Milwaukee's win over the Cardinals on Thursday, allowing one run on three hits and four walks over four innings. He struck out six.

    Advice: Myers managed to work his way out of jams throughout his four innings of work despite issuing four walks for the second consecutive start. The only run allowed by the 25-year-old right-hander came via a solo homer off the bat of Lars Nootbaar in the top of the third and he's now given up at least one home run in all four of his outings to open the campaign. Myers also recorded a season-high six strikeouts on the night and now carries an 8:8 K:BB through two May starts after posting a 9:1 K:BB through his two outings in April. Rotowire.com Today, 4:03 am
     
  • Crushed for six runs in loss
    Gray (4-2) took the loss against the Brewers on Thursday, allowing six runs on seven hits and one walk while striking out six over five innings.

    Advice: The Brewers got to Gray early and often, scoring three runs off the right-hander in the first inning, while also getting to him in the second, fourth and fifth frames. Gray allowed season highs in hits (seven), runs (six) and home runs (three) in the contest and also failed to go at least six innings for the first time in his last five starts. He now holds a 4.50 ERA in May to go along with a 12:2 K:BB. Rotowire.com Today, 3:56 am
     
  • Hangs tough but takes loss
    Lively (1-2) took the loss against the White Sox on Thursday, allowing three runs on eight hits and three walks while striking out two batters over 5.2 innings.

    Advice: It appeared Lively could be in for a short outing after giving up three runs on five hits (including three doubles) and a walk over his first two frames, but the right-hander recovered to go 5.2 innings without giving up another run. The three runs were a season high, which speaks to how well Lively has pitched through five appearances on the season. He holds a 2.63 ERA, 1.21 WHIP and 26:9 K:BB across 27.1 innings. Rotowire.com Yesterday, 11:57 pm
  • Records second save in as many days
    Kopech earned a save against the Guardians on Thursday, allowing one hit and striking out one batter over 1.1 innings.

    Advice: Kopech's save against Tampa Bay on Wednesday was relatively stress-free, as he entered with a three-run lead. That wasn't the case Thursday -- Kopech was asked to put out a fire in the bottom of the eighth frame after Cleveland slugged back-to-back homers to get to within a run. The right-hander retired David Fry in that inning to quell Cleveland's momentum, then worked around a one-out single in the ninth to finish off the save. The White Sox are among the worst teams in the majors this season, so Kopech may not have as many save opportunities as closers on contenders, but he's emerged the Chicago's clear go-to ninth-inning option with a save in consecutive contests. Rotowire.com Yesterday, 11:48 pm