MLB Player News

Cobb did not factor into the decision Wednesday, allowing two runs on five hits over five innings against the Phillies. He struck out four.

Cobb shut out the Phillies for five innings Wednesday before surrendering back-to-back home runs to Kyle Schwarber and Trea Turner to begin the sixth. Despite the rough finish, it was an encouraging outing from Cobb, who'd struggled to a 6.54 ERA over his previous six starts. Overall, the veteran right-hander is 6-5 with a 3.74 ERA, 1.38 WHIP and 117:34 K:BB across 24 starts (132.1 innings) this season. Cobb's currently in line for a home matchup with the Reds in his next outing.

Kennedy is scheduled to make his next start for the Reds on Friday in Arizona, Mark Sheldon of MLB.com reports.

Kennedy would have been available to start the second game of Wednesday's doubleheader with the Angels on his normal four days' rest, but he'll instead get some extra time ahead of his next start while the Reds presumably turn to Triple-A Louisville call-up Lyon Richardson to make a spot start during the twin bill. The Reds will hand Kennedy a second straight turn through the rotation after he held the Blue Jays scoreless over five innings while striking out two in a no-decision last weekend. Kennedy initially didn't appear to be in line for a lengthy stay in the Cincinnati rotation, but he could end up making multiple starts beyond Friday after lefty Nick Lodolo (tibia) suffered a setback that will push back his return from the 60-day injured list.

Greene will get an extra day of rest before his next start, which will come Saturday in Arizona, Mark Sheldon of MLB.com reports.

Greene wasn't sharp in his first start back from the injured list Sunday versus the Blue Jays, allowing nine runs (eight earned) in three-plus innings, so a little extra rest couldn't hurt. Brett Kennedy will start Friday in what had been Greene's day to pitch.

Cueto (illness) was spotted playing catch on the field Wednesday prior to the Marlins' game in San Diego, Daniel Alvarez-Montes of ElExtraBase.com reports.

Cueto was placed on the 15-day injured list Monday after falling ill due to a viral infection, but the fact that he remained on the Marlins' road trip and is now playing catch just two days later offers hope that he'll be in line for a minimum-length stay on the shelf. The Marlins have off days coming up Thursday and next Monday and should be able to get by with a four-man rotation until Cueto potentially makes his return from the IL over Labor Day weekend.

Richardson was recalled from Triple-A Louisville on Wednesday, Charlie Goldsmith of The Cincinnati Enquirer reports.

Richardson will serve as the 27th man for the Reds in Wednesday's doubleheader against the Angels. All 22 of the 23-year-old's appearances this season between the majors and minors have been as a starter, so he should be able to handle a lengthy relief outing, if needed. The Reds aren't yet listing a starter for the second game of the twin bill and could turn to either Richardson or Brett Kennedy to fill the opening.

Smyly (9-9) took the loss Tuesday, allowing seven runs on eight hits and three walks over 3.2 innings in an 8-6 loss to the Tigers. He struck out four.

The veteran southpaw's return to Chicago's rotation was a disaster, as he allowed 11 baserunners and served up two long homers to Andy Ibanez. Smyly pitched well in his three recent relief appearances, but this marks his second consecutive start allowing seven earned runs. Smyly now has an 8.60 ERA and 1.62 WHIP across 30.1 second-half innings and it remains to be seen whether he will receive another start.

The Pirates recalled Ortiz from Triple-A Indianapolis ahead of his scheduled start Wednesday against the Cardinals at PNC Park.

Ortiz will rejoin the Pirates for what will be his first appearance since the All-Star break, despite being roughed up to the tune of a 7.77 ERA and 1.92 WHIP in 24.1 innings at Triple-A since being demoted July 5. Even though Ortiz appears to be getting what amounts to a spot start Wednesday, he may get a chance to stick around in the Pittsburgh rotation if he performs better against the Cardinals than anticipated in his return to the majors.

Oviedo (7-13) earned the win Tuesday, allowing one run on four hits and a walk over five innings against the Cardinals. He struck out five.

It was a solid performance from Oviedo, who'd allowed 10 runs over his previous two starts (nine innings). The lone damage against him Tuesday came on a Richie Palacios solo homer in the fifth. The 25-year-old Oviedo lowered his ERA to 4.46 with a 1.33 WHIP and 129:62 K:BB across 26 starts (145.1 innings) this season. He's currently lined up for a home matchup with the Cubs in his next outing this weekend.

Wainwright (3-9) took the loss Tuesday, allowing six runs on seven hits and a walk over 4.2 innings in a 6-3 loss against the Pirates. He struck out three.

After logging a quality start in his previous outing against the Mets, Wainwright was tagged for six runs against the Pirates as he took his eighth loss in his last nine starts. Over that span, the veteran right-hander's struggled to a 12.56 ERA. Overall, Waiwright's ERA is up to an unsightly 8.61 with a 1.99 WHIP and 44:30 K:BB across 17 starts (77.1 innings) this season. He'll look to get on track in his next outing, tentatively lined up for early next week against the Padres.

Elder (10-4) picked up the win Tuesday in a 3-2 victory over the Mets, allowing one run on two hits and three walks over 5.1 innings. He struck out three.

The lone run charged to the right-hander scored after he'd left the mound, as Elder blanked the Mets for five frames before Pierce Johnson relieved him with one on in the sixth and promptly served up a homer to Daniel Vogelbach. Elder continues to offer little in the strikeout department -- he hasn't fanned more than five batters in a start since June 22 -- and since the All-Star break he's posted a 4.58 ERA, 1.21 WHIP and 23:14 K:BB through 37.1 innings. With the Atlanta offense at his back he's won three of his last five outings, but he'll be a ratio risk in his next start, which is likely to come early next week at Coors Field.