MLB Player News

Drohan (5-3) notched the win Saturday against Miami, allowing three runs on five hits and one walk in six innings. He struck out nine.

Other than enduring a three-run second inning by the Marlins, Drohan fared quite well once again Saturday. The 27-year-old left-hander established a career high in strikeouts, notably punching out the side in the fifth frame, and he also submitted his third straight quality start. Drohan is set to take a strong 3.20 ERA, 1.18 WHIP and 76:21 K:BB over 76 innings into a favorable home matchup against the lowly Rockies.

Murphy took a no-decision Saturday against Texas, allowing three runs (two earned) on five hits and two walks in 2.2 innings. He struck out two.

Making his first career big-league start following a pair of relief appearances, Murphy struggled to contain the Rangers on Saturday. A fielding error by Mauricio Dubon kept an earned run off Murphy's line in the third inning, but the rookie right-hander failed to throw a clean frame. If Martin Perez (forearm) isn't ready to rejoin Atlanta's rotation, Murphy could get another chance as a starter next week against the Padres.

Pfaadt (4-1) earned the win against the Cardinals on Saturday, allowing two runs on six hits and no walks with three strikeouts over 5.1 innings.

Pfaadt opened with five scoreless innings before allowing two runs in the sixth, limiting the Cardinals to only five hard-hit balls despite generating just three whiffs on 87 pitches. The 27-year-old has been steady in four games since re-entering the rotation June 30, going 4-0 while completing at least five frames in each outing and allowing just five total earned runs over that span. He'll take a 4.58 ERA, 1.31 WHIP and 44:18 K:BB across 59 innings this season into a road rematch with St. Louis next week.

Sewald earned the save in Saturday's 5-3 win over the Cardinals, allowing one run on one hit and no walks with two strikeouts in the ninth inning.

Sewald was called upon to protect a three-run lead in the ninth inning and did so despite surrendering a solo home run to Jimmy Crooks. The 36-year-old righty has now converted 14 straight save chances dating back to May 17, though he's allowed at least one earned run in six of his past 10 appearances. On the season, he's 23-for-24 in save chances with a 4.58 ERA, 0.96 WHIP and 40:9 K:BB across 35.1 innings.

Manaea (2-5) took the loss against the Phillies on Saturday, allowing four runs on seven hits and two walks with seven strikeouts over 4.2 innings.

Manaea surrendered three of his four runs via the long ball, departing at 99 pitches without escaping the fifth inning. It marked the first time the 34-year-old had yielded more than three earned runs in seven turns since entering the rotation June 13, though he's now allowed two homers in three straight outings. He'll take a 4.74 ERA, 1.36 WHIP and 81:26 K:BB across 79.2 innings this season into a home matchup with the Dodgers next weekend.

Montgomery will serve as the opening pitcher in Game 2 of Saturday's doubleheader against Cleveland, Alex Stumpf of MLB.com reports.

Montgomery will receive his fifth opening assignment of the season after giving up just two earned runs over 8.1 innings across his last nine outings. The 26-year-old southpaw has never completed two full innings in an appearance this season, so he'll likely secure just the first three outs of the game before turning things over to the Pirates' bullpen.

Manager Torey Lovullo said Saturday that MRI results of Puk's left shoulder revealed that his shoulder capsule hasn't fully healed, Steve Gilbert of MLB.com reports.

Puk has been on the injured list all season while recovering from an internal brace procedure he underwent last summer, as well as a shoulder capsule sprain he suffered while pitching in a rehab game. The results of his latest MRI suggest that Puk's stay on the IL is likely to be extended even further, and he's set to visit Dr. Neal ElAttrache within the next couple of days to receive a second opinion before determining his next steps. An updated timeline for his return could come into focus following his appointment.

Cubs manager Craig Counsell said July 8 that Roberts (forearm) completed a bullpen session, MLB.com reports.

Roberts had been scheduled to throw off a mound a second time prior to the All-Star break, though it's unclear if that came to pass. The right-hander has been on the shelf since June 29 due to forearm inflammation and will eventually need to complete a rehab assignment before returning from the 15-day injured list.

Rangel is slated to start Sunday's game against the Mets in Philadelphia.

Philadelphia demoted Rangel to Triple-A Lehigh Valley on July 2, but he was called back up last week when the Phillies required a fifth starter for the final time before the All-Star break. Rangel will remain in the rotation to open the second half, but he may not be in line for a permanent spot if the Phillies acquire a starter prior to the Aug. 3 trade deadline or elect to recall Andrew Painter from Triple-A and give him another shot in the big leagues. The 28-year-old Rangel has been a so-so performer through his first five appearances (two starts) with the big club, compiling a 4.19 ERA, 1.40 WHIP and 22:9 K:BB in 19.1 innings.

The Rockies placed Criswell on the 15-day injured list Saturday with a right shoulder strain.

Criswell gave up two earned runs in two innings Friday in what was his first appearance since returning to the majors last Saturday, but the Rockies will now be without his services until at least Aug. 2. His roster spot will be filled by Tomoyuki Sugano (back), who was reinstated from the injured list to start Saturday's game against the Reds.