MLB Player News

Flexen (0-5) allowed six runs (five earned) on four hits and six walks while striking out four over 3.2 innings to take the loss versus the Athletics on Saturday.

The altitude usually makes its presence known on batted balls, but Flexen was far too generous with free passes to have an acceptable outing in his Rockies debut. His six walks Saturday doubled his previous season high. The right-hander is now at an 8.08 ERA, 1.93 WHIP and 33:25 K:BB over 45.2 innings between the Rockies and the Mariners this season. While it was far from an encouraging effort, Colorado's rotation needs arms capable of covering innings, so Flexen could stick around for a while. He's tentatively lined up for a road start in St. Louis next week.

Teheran (2-5) took the loss against Atlanta on Saturday, allowing nine runs on 11 hits and no walks while striking out four batters over five innings.

Teheran was impressive against Atlanta in his previous start, allowing one run over six innings in a no-decision. The rematch Saturday against his former club didn't go anywhere near as well, as the right-hander gave up six runs in the first inning and a season-high nine runs overall. Atlanta tagged Teheran for three homers, accounting for five of the runs against him. The veteran hurler made for a good story when he opened the campaign with a 1.53 ERA over his first six starts after appearing in just one big-league game across the previous two seasons. However, things have mostly soured for Teheran since, as he holds an 0-3 record and an 8.89 ERA in his subsequent five outings.

Elder (8-2) earned the win over Milwaukee on Saturday, allowing one run on four hits and no walks while striking out three batters over seven innings.

Elder was both efficient and effective in the outing, needing just 86 pitches (59 strikes) to get through seven innings. The right-hander pitched to contact, notching just six swinging strikes and three punchouts, but picked up his 13th quality start of the campaign -- tied for fourth-most in the majors. Elder looked like he could be hitting a wall when he allowed a combined 14 runs (12 earned) across a pair of starts in mid-July, but he's since bounced back to finish the month with consecutive strong outings during which he's yielded just three runs over 13 frames.

Fried (forearm/illness) threw 79 pitches and allowed two runs over 4.1 innings during his rehab start with Triple-A Gwinnett on Saturday, David O'Brien of The Athletic reports.

The left-hander has given up five runs on 11 hits across 7.2 frames in his past two minor-league rehab outings, but he's more importantly continued to build up his workload. Saturday's outing was expected to be the final one of Fried's rehab assignment before he rejoins Atlanta's rotation, potentially lining him up to pitch Friday against the Cubs.

Stripling won't start Sunday's game against the Red Sox but could pitch behind opener Scott Alexander, Alex Pavlovic of NBC Sports Bay Area reports.

The Giants haven't announced their pitching plans beyond Alexander being named the starter, but Stripling could work in a bulk role given his 4.43 ERA over his past four starts. The veteran swingman has a 5.77 ERA, 1.37 WHIP and 45:11 K:BB across 57.2 innings this season.

Smith-Shawver will be recalled from Triple-A Gwinnett to start Sunday's game against the Brewers, Mark Bowman of MLB.com reports.

Smith-Shawver was demoted in late June after making four appearances in the majors, and he'll rejoin Atlanta's rotation for Sunday's series finale versus Milwaukee. The 20-year-old had a 4.32 ERA, 1.14 WHIP and 15:6 K:BB across 16.2 frames in his first taste of the big leagues, and he pitched well in his past two starts for Gwinnett with two runs allowed and 10 strikeouts over nine innings, though he also issued seven walks. With Atlanta potentially looking for rotation depth at the trade deadline and Max Fried (forearm) nearing his return from the injured list, this could be a short stay in the majors for Smith-Shawver.

The Mets promoted Tidwell from High-A Brooklyn to Double-A Binghamton on Saturday, Michael Mayer of MetsmerizedOnline.com reports.

The 22-year-old, who was selected 52nd overall by the Mets during last year's draft, struggled to start the season at Brooklyn with an 8.35 ERA in his first five starts, but he was dominant in his last 12 outings with a 1.56 ERA and 12.1 K/9. Tidwell has impressive strikeout potential but will need to improve his command, as he still had 4.7 BB/7 during that strong stretch at High-A.

Kershaw (shoulder) worked three innings in a simulated game Saturday, Jack Harris of the Los Angeles Times reports.

The sim game took place five days later than originally anticipated, though Kershaw hasn't had any setbacks. The left-hander has been ramping up as he pushes toward a return to the Dodgers rotation, which could happen as soon as next week, depending how he feels in the coming days. Kershaw's last start took place in Colorado on June 27, but he could return without needing a rehab assignment despite spending over a month on the shelf.

Chirinos came away with a no-decision in Atlanta's 10-7 win over the Brewers on Friday, giving up four runs on six hits and a walk over 3.2 innings. He struck out three.

Making his Atlanta debut after being claimed off waivers from the Rays last weekend, Chirinos did little to discourage his new club from trying to add more rotation depth at the trade deadline. The 29-year-old right-hander has a 4.34 ERA, 1.28 WHIP and 34:21 K:BB through 66.1 innings on the season, and he could find himself bumped to the bullpen or even off the big-league roster when Max Fried (forearm) is ready to return.

Houser (3-3) took the loss Friday, coughing up six runs on eight hits and two walks over four-plus innings as the Brewers were downed 10-7 by Atlanta. He struck out three.

After tying his career high by fanning 10 batters in his last outing, Houser crashed back to earth against the offense that leads the majors in homers and OPS, getting tagged for at least six runs for the first time since May 30. The right-hander got the hook after 90 pitches (55 strikes), and since the beginning of June he's posted a 4.64 ERA, 1.55 WHIP and 35:16 K:BB through 42.2 innings. Houser remains a streaming option at best in most fantasy formats, but he could be worth deploying in his next start, likely to come on the road next week against the Nationals.