MLB Player News

Williamson (2-2) earned the win Saturday, allowing one run on three hits and one walk over six innings against the Diamondbacks. He struck out five.

Williamson got off to a red-hot start Saturday, retiring the first nine batters he faced while not allowing a hit until the fifth inning. Though the southpaw had only logged one quality start through his first 10 appearances, he's rattled of back-to-back quality starts to lower his season ERA to 4.60 to go along with a 46:23 K:BB. However, he'll face a challenge in nabbing a third straight quality start considering his next outing is tentatively scheduled to come on the road against the Dodgers.

Pfaadt (0-4) took the loss Saturday, allowing three runs on four hits over six innings against the Reds. He struck out six.

Outside of a miserable sixth inning where Pfaadt surrendered back-to-back-to-back homers to TJ Friedl, Matt McLain and Jake Fraley, the 24-year-old turned in a very strong outing. Prior to the string of long balls, Pfaadt had retired 16 consecutive batters, a streak dating back to the first inning. Even with the rough ending, Saturday's start marked Pfaadts' first quality start of the season (seven appearances), while he also set a season high in strikeouts. Though Pfaadt has been plagued by the long ball in 2023 (3.4 HR/9), Saturday's outing could be a sign of better things to come for the remainder of the campaign.

Freeland (shoulder) completed another bullpen session Saturday, Thomas Harding of MLB.com reports.

Freeland hit the injured list with a dislocated shoulder in early July, but he's already nearing his return. He could be back by next weekend, assuming he checks out fine following his bullpen work.

Kershaw (shoulder) will throw an "up-down" bullpen session Monday rather than pitch in a simulated game, Fabian Ardaya of The Athletic reports.

Kershaw reportedly came out of his last bullpen feeling good, but the Dodgers will nevertheless slow down his throwing program slightly. He had been set to throw three innings in a simulated game, but that will now have to wait for a few more days.

Atlanta manager Brian Snitker said Saturday that Fried (forearm) will likely make one more rehab start, Justin Toscano of The Atlanta Journal-Constitution reports.

There had been some hope that Fried might be able to return to Atlanta's starting rotation next week in Boston, but he only lasted 3.1 innings (65 pitches) in his latest rehab outing Friday with Triple-A Gwinnett. The 29-year-old southpaw has been on the injured list since early May due to a left forearm strain.

Wolf's contract was selected as expected Saturday ahead of his major-league debut against the Tigers.

Wolf, a fourth-round pick in the 2021 Draft, doesn't come with a ton of prospect pedigree, but he does come with strong numbers at the Double-A level this season. In 17 starts, he owns a 3.39 ERA, striking out 31.3 percent of opposing batters while walking just 6.0 percent. The 6-foot-7 sidearmer will skip Triple-A altogether, though it remains to be seen if his funk and deception will continue to outweigh the fact that his fastball sits below 90 mph.

Winans' contract was selected by Atlanta on Saturday ahead of his scheduled start against Milwaukee.

The 27-year-old righty will be making his big-league debut after recording a 2.81 ERA in 18 appearances (13 starts) for Triple-A Gwinnett this season. Since becoming a starter ahead of last season, he's produced above-average groundball rates and avoided walks, but his 22.8 percent strikeout rate is nothing special. He may only be up for one start before returning to the minors once Max Fried (forearm) is ready to rejoin the rotation.

Pfaadt was recalled by the Diamondbacks on Saturday to start against the Reds.

Pfaadt has failed to turn his prospect pedigree into big-league success thus far, struggling to a 9.82 ERA in six starts. He's only managed to strike out 17.2 percent of opposing batters, well below the 27.1 percent strikeout rate he owns for Triple-A Reno this season. Him figuring out how to put big-league hitters away could be crucial to the Diamondbacks' playoff hopes, as the team now finds itself in the thick of the wild-card race after falling back to the pack following a hot start. Justin Martinez was optioned to clear space on the roster.

Smyly will be available out of the bullpen for Saturday's game against the Cardinals, with Michael Fulmer set to open, Tim Stebbins of MLB.com reports.

The Cubs haven't officially indicated that Smyly will handle the bulk innings, but considering that he's on turn to start and that Fulmer isn't likely to thrown more than an inning or two after appearing in relief Friday, it seems likely. Smyly has had his moments this season, taking a perfect game into the eighth inning against the Dodgers back in April, but he's stumbled to a 9.87 ERA over his last four starts, so it's no surprise he's lost his manager's confidence.

Lively didn't factor into the decision in Friday's 9-6 win over the Diamondbacks, giving up three runs on four hits and two walks over 4.2 innings. He struck out six.

The journeyman right-hander came up one out short of collecting his fifth win of the season, getting the hook after 76 pitches (49 strikes) following a two-out RBI triple by Ketel Marte that shrunk Cincinnati's lead to one run. Lively hasn't thrown more than 80 pitches in any of his last four starts as manager David Bell has him on a short leash -- while he has a solid 3.44 ERA, 1.20 WHIP and 18:8 K:BB through 18.1 innings over that stretch, he's completed five innings only once and has zero wins, putting a firm cap on his fantasy utility. Lively is next set to take the mound on the road next week in Milwaukee.