MLB Player News

Smith-Shawver (elbow) will make his next rehab start Saturday with Triple-A Gwinnett, Chad Bishop of the Atlanta Journal-Constitution reports.

The 23-year-old right-hander is closing in on his return to the big-league rotation following Tommy John surgery in June 2025. Smith-Shawver has made two rehab starts for Single-A Augusta, producing a 9:0 K:BB over seven innings while allowing just one run, and he built up to 46 pitches in his most recent outing July 5. He'll likely need at least two more rehab starts before Atlanta considers activating him, giving him a chance to make his 2026 debut before the end of the month.

Pallante (10-6) took the loss against Milwaukee on Thursday, allowing six runs on eight hits and two walks while striking out two batters over five innings.

Pallante entered Thursday with a 2.68 ERA and five wins over his previous six starts, but it was pretty clear early in this outing that he wasn't going to be able to continue that run. Milwaukee tagged him for two runs on three singles in the second inning, then struck for four runs in the third, with the big blow being a three-run homer by Jake Bauers. Pallante didn't give up any more runs after that long ball, but the damage was more than enough to send him to his second loss in his last three starts. It's been a decent first half for the right-hander despite Thursday's defeat; he already has a career-high 10 victories to go along with a 3.96 ERA, 1.26 WHIP and 72:29 K:BB over 100 innings spanning 18 starts.

Feltner (3-3) allowed four runs on six hits and four walks while striking out three over 4.1 innings to take the loss versus the Giants on Thursday.

Feltner threw just 53 of 92 pitches for strikes in this outing. He hadn't walked a batter over his previous two games, but he matched his season high with four free passes Thursday while also allowing multiple home runs for the third time this year. Feltner has a 4.55 ERA, 1.29 WHIP and 47:24 K:BB through 63.1 innings over 13 starts this year, which isn't so bad for a Colorado starter. He's actually been better at home (4.14 ERA in eight starts) than on the road (5.32 ERA in five starts).

Henderson (3-1) earned the win over St. Louis on Thursday, allowing three runs on three hits and one walk while striking out four batters over 5.1 innings.

Henderson returned to Milwaukee's rotation after spending over six weeks on the IL due to a back injury. The 24-year-old was held to a modest 76 pitches in his first start back, but that was enough for him to cover 5.1 frames and qualify for the win. Henderson yielded only one run while he was in the game, but his final line sagged a little after the two batters he put on base in the sixth inning both scored following his departure. The right-hander has pitched well for the Brewers when healthy so far this season, posting a 3.18 ERA, 0.99 WHIP and 34:7 K:BB over 28.1 innings spanning six starts. He appears set to remain in the rotation following the All-Star break.

Junk (4-5) earned the win Thursday against the Mariners, allowing two runs (one earned) on three hits and four walks while striking out five over five innings.

Making his first start since May 25 after returning from the injured list, Junk was surprisingly stretched out to 79 pitches (48 strikes). He allowed Josh Naylor to score on his own throwing error in the second inning, while his only earned run came on a Randy Arozarena solo homer in the fifth. Prior to landing on the injured list, Junk owned a 4.80 ERA and 1.30 WHIP across 11 starts. Thursday's command was shaky with a season-high four walks, but this performance represents a strong finish to the first half of the campaign.

Singer (3-9) allowed one run on four hits and one walk while striking out five batters over 7.1 innings in a loss to Philadelphia on Thursday.

Singer was excellent, covering a season-high 7.1 frames on just 89 pitches. He entered the eighth locked in a scoreless pitchers' duel, but the Phillies were finally able to get to him for a run before he departed with one out. That lone tally proved to be enough for Philadelphia to pull out the win and send Singer to his third straight defeat. Nonetheless, the outing was a positive one and extends a strong stretch by the veteran hurler, who has now given up two or fewer earned runs in six of his past seven starts. Assuming he doesn't get called upon to pitch out of the bullpen this weekend, Singer will enter the All-Star break with an overall 4.72 ERA, 1.47 WHIP and 76:31 K:BB across 89.2 frames spanning 18 starts.

Whisenhunt (2-0) allowed two runs on three hits and four walks while striking out four over 5.2 innings to earn the win over the Rockies on Thursday.

Whisenhunt threw 57 of 87 pitches for strikes. Both runs against him came on a Willi Castro home run in the fourth inning. Whisenhunt has impressed in his two major-league outings this season, winning both while allowing four runs over 10.2 innings, though his 6:6 K:BB would be a limiting factor if he gets a longer look with the big club. With Trevor McDonald and Landen Roupp both struggling since the start of June, it's possible Whisenhunt eventually gets a longer look in the rotation.

Canning (1-7) allowed two runs on seven hits and struck out five without walking a batter over 4.2 innings to take the loss Thursday versus the Diamondbacks.

Canning's performance wasn't bad, but it wasn't good enough compared to Merrill Kelly's seven innings of one-run ball. Canning threw 48 of 74 pitches for strikes in the contest. He has bounced between starts and bulk-relief appearances lately, allowing 10 runs over 18 innings across his last five games (two starts). For the season, the right-hander has a 6.47 ERA, 1.60 WHIP and 55:30 K:BB across 55.2 innings through 13 appearances (10 starts).

Luzardo (8-4) earned the win over Cincinnati on Thursday, allowing two hits and issuing two walks while striking out 11 batters over seven scoreless innings.

Luzardo allowed only one baserunner to reach scoring position and racked up 20 whiffs en route to 11 punchouts. The left-hander completed seven frames for just the third time this season while recording his 10th quality start. Luzardo has won four of his past six outings, posting a minuscule 1.45 ERA with a 52:14 K:BB across 37.1 innings during that span. In the very likely event that he doesn't pitch again this weekend, he'll wrap up a strong first half with a 3.51 ERA, 1.22 WHIP and 136:35 K:BB across 110.1 frames spanning 19 starts. His strikeout total currently ranks fourth in the majors.

Kelly (7-8) allowed one run on three hits and three walks while striking out six over seven innings to earn the win over the Padres on Thursday.

Kelly turned in a quality start in this outing, allowing just a solo home run to Manny Machado in the second inning. This was Kelly's second win in a row, and he heads into the All-Star break having allowed just three runs over his last 12 innings. Overall, he's still at a 5.38 ERA, 1.51 WHIP and 59:38 K:BB through 93.2 innings over 16 starts this season. He's also given up 20 homers, putting him on pace to allow a career high in long balls -- his worst campaign in that regard was 2019, when he gave up 29 homers.