MLB Player News

Knack isn't starting Thursday against the Phillies but could be utilized behind opener Anthony Banda, Bill Plunkett of The Orange County Register reports.

The Dodgers haven't announced their pitching plans beyond Banda, but Knack would be on turn to pitch after starting last Thursday against the Diamondbacks. The right-hander has a 2.86 ERA, 0.98 WHIP and 31:9 K:BB across 34.2 innings this season.

Diamondbacks manager Torey Lovullo confirmed that Diaz will make another turn through the Arizona rotation Saturday versus the Blue Jays at Chase Field, Alex Weiner of ArizonaSports.com reports.

Jordan Montgomery (knee), Eduardo Rodriguez (shoulder) and Merrill Kelly (shoulder) are all in the midst of throwing programs and may be on track to return from the injured list within a few weeks after the All-Star break, but their continued absences should clear the way for Diaz to stick around in the big-league rotation for a little while longer. Diaz earned a second turn through the rotation after dazzling in his MLB debut Monday, striking out five while permitting just one run on four hits and one walk in a no-decision against Atlanta. Despite his limited big-league track record, the 23-year-old right-hander shapes up as a decent streaming option this weekend against a weakened Toronto lineup that could be without Bo Bichette (calf).

Ross (back) struck out three over 3.2 scoreless innings in his rehab start Wednesday with Triple-A Nashville. He scattered two hits and one walk in the 46-pitch start.

Ross took the hill on three days' rest for his second minor-league rehab start, after he threw 34 pitches over 2.2 innings in his first rehab outing with High-A Wisconsin this past Saturday. The right-hander recorded his 11 outs in efficient fashion Wednesday and should continue to build up his pitch count over the course of at least two more rehab starts. He could return from the 60-day injured list and return to the Milwaukee rotation shortly after the All-Star break.

Diamondbacks manager Torey Lovullo said that Pfaadt (ankle) will start Thursday's game against Atlanta at Chase Field, Jesse Friedman of GoPHNX.com reports.

Pfaadt's most recent start Saturday against the Padres was cut short when he was struck on the left ankle by a comebacker, but he was diagnosed with nothing more than a bruise after X-rays returned negative. The right-hander was able to complete his between-starts bullpen session with no apparent discomfort, so he shouldn't face any restrictions when he takes the hill Thursday on his typical four days' rest.

Sanchez (7-4) picked up the win in Wednesday's 4-3 victory over the Dodgers, allowing two runs on five hits and a walk over six innings. He struck out five.

The southpaw produced his 10th quality start of the season, and fourth in his last five trips to the mound, on 91 pitches (67 strikes). Over that stretch, Sanchez has gone 4-1 with a 2.73 ERA, 0.88 WHIP and 26:5 K:BB through 33 innings. The 27-year-old has already set a career high with 103.1 big-league innings this season, but he's in no danger of being shut down -- he tossed 149 innings across all levels in 2023. Sanchez will get a breather though, as he isn't scheduled to take the mound again before the All-Star break.

Stone (9-3) took the loss Wednesday, giving up four runs on nine hits over 4.2 innings as the Dodgers were downed 4-3 by the Phillies. He struck out three.

Kyle Schwarber drove Stone's third pitch of the game over the fence in left field, and the right-hander never seemed to regain his focus, leaving the mound after 77 pitches (52 strikes). Since firing a shutout against the White Sox on June 26, Stone has been tagged for eight runs over 7.2 innings in his last two outings. Despite the stumbles, he sports a 3.26 ERA, 1.23 WHIP and 76:28 K:BB through 96.2 innings on the year. He'll get a chance to regroup, as he's not scheduled to make another start until after the All-Star break.

Webb (7-7) took the loss against the Blue Jays on Wednesday, allowing seven runs on eight hits and one walk over five innings while striking out four.

Webb started the game strong, striking out three of the first six batters he faced while holding the Blue Jays scoreless over the first four innings. However, things began to unravel for the veteran right-hander in the fifth when he surrendered a three-run shot to Ernie Clement after giving up singles to two of the first three batters in the frame. Webb returned for the sixth, but he failed to retire any of the first four batters he faced before being relieved by Sean Hjelle, who didn't fare much better. Webb was charged with a season-high seven runs on the night and was unable to get through six innings for the first time in his last 12 starts. He has also surrendered multiple runs in eight consecutive outings.

Morton did not factor into the decision in a loss to the Diamondbacks on Wednesday, allowing four runs on five hits over 6.1 innings while striking out five.

Most of the damage against Morton came in the second and third innings when the veteran surrendered home runs to Eugenio Suarez and Ketel Marte. The right-hander would then cruise through the next three frames before being relieved by Pierce Johnson with one out in the seventh, though a fourth run ended up being charged to Morton's ledger. The 40-year-old has now allowed two home runs in back-to-back starts and has given up at least three runs in four of his last six outings. However, he's also tallied five or more strikeouts in three consecutive starts.

The Diamondbacks are optioning Cecconi to Triple-A Reno following Wednesday's no-decision against Atlanta, Alex Weiner and John Gambadoro of Arizona Sports report. He allowed three runs on four hits and two walks while striking out three over four innings in a 7-5 win.

Diamondbacks manager Torey Lovullo said he considered using an opener Wednesday but eventually opted to let Cecconi throw as a traditional starter. The plan was to let him face at least 18 hitters, and the manager would have extended the right-hander if Arizona had a big lead. As it turned out, the game was tied after four innings, and Lovullo stuck with the original plan. The team doesn't need a fifth starter for now, as the All-Star break is coming up. Cecconi has a 6.14 ERA over 66 innings and has struggled to get deep into games.

Corbin (1-9) took the loss against the Mets on Wednesday, allowing four runs on eight hits and one walk while striking out five batters over five-plus innings.

Corbin gave up a solo homer in the first inning but then cruised for the next four frames and had a 2-1 lead entering the sixth. However, the veteran lefty gave up three straight hits -- including an RBI double -- to begin that inning, and the two runners he left on base when he departed later came around to score. That clinched another loss for Corbin, who is now 0-6 since his most recent -- and still only -- win of the campaign, which occurred May 10 in Boston. Corbin's 5.57 ERA on the season is far from appealing, but he's at least given Washington some length, ranking second on the team with 105.0 IP and averaging 5.2 frames per start.