MLB Player News

Painter is undergoing Tommy John surgery on his right elbow Tuesday in Los Angeles, Todd Zolecki of MLB.com reports.

It was already announced last week that Painter would require the reconstructive elbow procedure. Given the timing here, it's likely that the talented young right-hander won't pitch in a live game again until late 2024 or even early 2025. There had been talk of him making his MLB debut with the Phillies around the beginning of the 2023 campaign, before his elbow began barking during spring training.

Freeland (shoulder) threw a simulated game Tuesday, Thomas Harding of MLB.com reports.

Freeland tossed around 25 pitches from the mound and also did a bit of fielding work as he prepares for a possible return to the Rockies' rotation this weekend against the Athletics. The left-hander has been sidelined since before the All-Star break due to a dislocated right (non-throwing) shoulder.

Sanchez (shoulder) completed a 19-pitch bullpen session Friday, Jordan McPherson of the Miami Herald reports.

While the side session represents a step forward after Sanchez had been limited to playing catch off flat ground heading into the All-Star break, the 24-year-old right-hander still doesn't appear especially close to pitching in a game. Sanchez has endured a slow buildup since undergoing arthroscopic shoulder surgery in October, which came after he had surgery in July 2021 to repair a capsule tear in the same shoulder. He'll likely continue to throw side sessions for a few more weeks before he advances to facing hitters in live batting practice or simulated games.

Kelly (calf) will be activated off the 15-day injured list to start Tuesday against the Cardinals, MLB.com reports.

Kelly was placed on the IL on June 27 after he was diagnosed with a blood clot in his lower right leg. He's since been able to two simulated games at the Diamondbacks' spring complex and most recently built up to 75 pitches. Kelly should be in store for close to a normal workload as he steps back into the rotation Tuesday and will be looking to halt the Diamondbacks' five-game losing streak.

Grove allowed two runs on eight hits and struck out six without walking a batter over 4.2 innings in a no-decision versus the Blue Jays on Monday.

Grove was decent aside from the eight hits, throwing 48 of 68 pitches for strikes in the short start. It was just the second time all season he's avoided walking a batter. The right-hander is now at a 6.19 ERA, 1.55 WHIP and 53:17 K:BB through 56.2 innings over 13 appearances (10 starts). Grove should stick in the rotation for another turn at home over the weekend versus the Reds. He may eventually lose his major-league roster spot with Noah Syndergaard (finger) and Clayton Kershaw (shoulder) working back from injuries.

Ashcraft allowed two runs on five hits and four walks while striking out eight batters over 5.1 innings in a no-decision against Milwaukee on Monday.

Ashcraft tied a season high with four walks in the outing, but he avoided issuing multiple free passes in any one frame. The right-hander balanced the mild wildness with a campaign-best eight strikeouts, and he fell just two outs shy of a fifth straight quality start. Though Ashcraft has had some major blow-ups this season -- a big factor in his poor overall 5.64 ERA -- he's been pitching well since the end of June, posting a 2.10 ERA and 1.27 WHIP across 30 innings covering his past five starts.

Rea notched a no-decision against Cincinnati on Monday, allowing two runs on five hits and one walk while striking out five batters over six innings.

The only runs Rea gave up in the contest came on Elly De La Cruz's monster two-run homer in the third inning. That was the only extra-base hit Rea yielded in his fourth quality start of the campaign. The right-hander faltered against the Reds in his final outing before the All-Star break, allowing five runs over 4.2 frames, but he's been solid in his first two starts of the second half, giving up just four earned runs across 11 innings. Rea's spot in the rotation has been partly a consequence of Wade Miley (elbow) and Brandon Woodruff (shoulder) spending time on the injured list, so it's not certain how the Brewers will adjust with both of the injured hurlers potentially returning within the next few weeks.

Nelson allowed five runs on eight hits and three walks while striking out one over six innings in a no-decision versus the Cardinals on Monday.

Nelson has had three good starts and two poor ones in July, with Monday's outing falling in the latter category. The right-hander was at least efficient, needing just 87 pitches (56 strikes) to get through six frames. He's now at a mediocre 4.97 ERA, 1.41 WHIP and 74:33 K:BB through 112.1 innings over 21 starts this season, though he's shown little consistency from one outing to the next. He's projected for a home start versus the Mariners over the weekend.

Wainwright (shoulder) allowed two runs on four hits and two walks while striking out three over five innings in a no-decision versus the Diamondbacks on Monday.

Wainwright threw 76 pitches (47 strikes) in his return from a right shoulder strain. The 41-year-old did alright in a challenging matchup, most importantly by keeping the ball in the yard, something he did just once in his last five starts before landing on the injured list. At this point in his career, he's just a back-end starter that probably won't help much in fantasy. He carries a 7.31 ERA, 1.92 WHIP and 31:21 K:BB through 56.2 innings over 12 starts, with his next outing likely at home versus the Cubs over the weekend.

Darvish (7-7) allowed seven runs on eight hits and three walks while striking out three over 4.1 innings to take the loss Monday versus the Pirates.

Darvish was tagged for a season-high four homers Monday, which saw him fail to complete five frames for just the second time all season. He'd allowed just one run over 12 innings across his first two starts of the second half. The right-hander's poor start inflated his ERA to 4.80 with a 1.31 WHIP and 108:36 K:BB through 101.1 innings over 18 starts this season. Darvish is lined up for a tough home start versus the Rangers this weekend.