MLB Player News

Nationals manager Dave Martinez said Wednesday that Gray is still currently scheduled to start Sunday versus the Marlins, Andrew Golden of The Washington Post reports.

It's possible Gray could be pushed back, though, depending on how he looks in his between-starts bullpen session. If that happens, the Nationals would go with a bullpen game Sunday. Gray went just two innings in his last start against the Blue Jays and has posted an 8.84 ERA and 18:17 K:BB across 19.1 frames in August. He'll already be on extra rest if he starts Sunday as part of the Nats' six-man rotation, but some additional time off might be in the offing.

Stroman (ribs) played some long toss Wednesday, Meghan Montemurro of the Chicago Tribune reports.

The loss-tossing work marks the first time Stroman has done any throwing since he was diagnosed with a right rib cage cartilage fracture two weeks ago. It's clearly a significant step forward for the right-hander, but he's working within a tight window to return to the Cubs' rotation before the end of the season. Stroman initially went on the 15-day injured list in early August with a hip issue.

Wright (shoulder) will move his rehab assignment from High-A Rome to Triple-A Gwinnett on Wednesday.

Wright made his first appearance at any level since May 3 this past Thursday with Rome, kicking off his rehab assignment with three scoreless innings while striking out four and allowing just one baserunner. He tossed 26 pitches in that outing and may be looking to push closer to the 40-to-45-pitch range Wednesday. Wright will presumably need at least one or two more rehab outings following Wednesday's start to get stretched back out for a traditional starter's workload before Atlanta is comfortable bringing him back from the 60-day injured list.

The Phillies will activate Suarez (hamstring) from the 15-day injured list to start Sunday's series finale in Milwaukee, Adam McCalvy of MLB.com reports.

Barring any unexpected setbacks with his hamstring heading into the weekend, Suarez will return from the IL just a few days past the minimum 15 days. Suarez won't head out on a minor-league rehab start prior to being activated, but he threw live batting practice Monday and should be stretched out enough to handle something close to a typical starter's workload in what will be his first outing with the Phillies since Aug. 13.

Quintana came away with a no-decision in Tuesday's 2-1 loss to the Rangers, allowing three hits and three walks over six scoreless innings. He struck out five.

In a battle of veteran southpaws, Quintana and Andrew Heaney traded goose eggs before finally turning things over to the bullpens, with all the offense coming in the seventh inning and later. It was a strong bounce-back effort for Quintana, who had reeled off five straight quality starts before stumbling in Atlanta in his last outing. Since making his season debut after the All-Star break, the 34-year-old has a 3.26 ERA, 1.34 WHIP and 35:20 K:BB through 47 innings, giving him streaming appeal heading into his next start, which is likely to come on the road next week against the Nationals.

Gore (7-10) picked up the win Tuesday, allowing one run on six hits and two walks over five innings in a 5-4 victory over the Blue Jays. He struck out two.

The young southpaw got tagged for a solo homer by Davis Schneider but otherwise held Toronto's offense in check, tossing 69 of his 106 pitches for strikes. Homers continue to be an issue for Gore, who's served up 10 of them in eight starts and 42.2 innings since the All-Star break, but he still sports a respectable 4.01 ERA, 1.22 WHIP and 39:16 K:BB over that stretch. He's next set to take the mound at home early next week against the Mets.

Vines will start for Atlanta on Wednesday in Colorado, Mark Bowman of MLB.com reports.

Vines was called up Monday and available in relief for a couple days, but after he wasn't needed out of the bullpen he's officially been tapped for Wednesday's start in what will be his major-league debut. The 25-year-old has come back from a shoulder injury to pitch well this season at Triple-A Gwinnett, posting a 2.86 ERA and 25:11 K:BB over 28.1 frames. Vines could end up making additional starts until Kyle Wright (shoulder) is ready to return from the 60-day injured list.

Morton (14-10) earned the win Tuesday, allowing one run on three hits and two walks over six innings against Colorado. He struck out eight.

Morton turned in another strong outing Tuesday and has now strung together a handful of impressive starts, posting a 0.38 ERA and 33:11 K:BB over his last four appearances (24 innings). He'll look to keep the ball rolling in his next start, which is tentatively lined up to come against the Dodgers this weekend.

Ortiz (3-4) earned the win Tuesday against Kansas City. He allowed one run on three hits and two walks while striking out five over five innings.

Ortiz followed opener Colin Selby on Tuesday, dealing five innings of one-run baseball to pick up his first win since June 23. After giving up four or more runs in each of his last three appearances, the 24-year-old bounced back Tuesday and yielded just three hits on the day. Though Ortiz doesn't hold a permanent spot in the Pirates' rotation, he'll likely stick around for more work at least until Max Kranick (elbow) is ready to go.

Burnes (9-7) took the loss Tuesday, allowing one run on eight hits and two walks over seven innings against the Cubs. He struck out seven.

Burnes took advantage of favorable wind conditions at Wrigley Field on Tuesday, yielding just one run across seven frames, though he was ultimately stuck with his seventh loss of the campaign. The 28-year-old is winless across his last seven appearances, a stretch in which he owns a 3.71 ERA and 42:16 K:BB. Burnes is tentatively scheduled to take on the Pirates in Pittsburgh his next time out.