MLB Player News

Cardinals manager Oliver Marmol said Mikolas could be an option to start Monday's series opener versus the Marlins after the right-hander tossed only 34 pitches in his start Friday against the Nationals before the game was suspended in the bottom of the third inning due to inclement weather, John Denton of MLB.com reports.

Before rain descended on Busch Stadium, Mikolas was on his way to a strong start, as he struck out two over three perfect innings. Fantasy managers who deployed Mikolas in weekly lineups should see his statistics from Friday show up once the suspended game is completed Saturday, but outside of a scorer's decision, the right-hander won't be able to qualify for the win even though the Cardinals held a 1-0 lead at the time play was suspended. Mikolas' workload from Friday will also take him out of the mix for pitching again this weekend, but he looks like he'll be ready to go on two days rest Monday if the Cardinals elect to go that route.

Wainwright (shoulder) will begin throwing off a mound Tuesday, Daniel Guerrero of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch reports.

After receiving multiple injections in his right shoulder, Wainwright is now set to begin working toward a return. Manager Oliver Marmol said the goal is for Wainwright to return as a starter, so he will likely require multiple rehab outings in the minors down the line in order to build his arm back up. The veteran righty holds a 7.66 ERA and 1.99 WHIP across 51.2 innings over 11 starts this season.

Priester will be called up to make his MLB debut Monday against the Guardians, Jason Mackey of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette reports.

Priester hasn't been particularly special in Triple-A Indianapolis this season, posting a 4.31 ERA and 1.36 WHIP alongside a 84:35 K:BB through 87.2 innings. Nonetheless, he will be called upon to round out the Pirates' rotation and make his MLB debut Monday.

Lodolo (lower leg) shed his walking boot and is playing catch, MLB.com reports.

Lodolo had been throwing from a stool before removing the boot and is now on his feet playing catch. The left-hander arrived at Cincinnati's training complex in Goodyear (Ariz.) on July 3 to begin a throwing program. Reds manager David Bell said Lodolo is taking it slow and will likely return some time after fellow starter Hunter Greene (hip), who is expected to be activated in early August.

Greene (hip) is throwing off a mound at the Reds' training complex in Goodyear, Arizona, MLB.com reports.

Greene reached a third level of his rehab program and needs to achieve one more level before beginning a rehab assignment. The right-hander is doing a core-stability program to strengthen his hips and back to prevent future soreness. Cincinnati manager David Bell said Greene is still on track for an August return.

Verlander (3-5) took the loss Friday, giving up three runs on two hits and six walks over five innings as the Mets fell 6-0 to the Dodgers. He struck out six.

The 40-year-old right-hander threw only 59 of 104 pitches for strikes, but Verlander still held Los Angeles off the board until finally cracking in the fifth inning. The six free passes were his most in a start since 2017, as Verlander continues to have trouble putting everything together. In eight starts since the beginning of June, he has a 3.00 ERA, 1.31 WHIP and 41:19 K:BB through 45 innings -- solid numbers, but well below his usual standards. If he stays on turn, Verlander's next start would come at home next week against the White Sox.

Urias (7-5) picked up the win in Friday's 6-0 victory over the Mets, giving up one hit and one walk over six scoreless innings. He struck out seven.

Facing off with three-time AL Cy Young Award winner Justin Verlander, Urias nearly unraveled in the first inning. Brandon Nimmo led off the bottom of the frame with a drive to right-center field that was initially ruled a homer, but upon review it was determined to have hit the top of the padded wall and caromed back into play. Pete Alonso then drew a two-out walk, but Urias shut the door on the rally and proceeded to baffle Mets hitters the rest of the way. The southpaw has tossed back-to-back quality starts on either side of the All-Star break, and while his numbers on the season remain disappointing, Urias could be poised for a big second half. He'll likely next take the mound in Baltimore next week.

Nelson didn't factor into the decision in Friday's 7-2 loss to the Blue Jays, giving up two runs (one earned) on nine hits over 5.2 innings. He struck out three without walking a batter.

The right-hander fell one out short of his sixth quality start of the season, getting lifted after 97 pitches (62 strikes), but despite the stingy outing Nelson was on the hook for his sixth loss of the year before Arizona managed to tie things up in the top of the seventh inning. Toronto then erupted for five runs in the bottom of the frame to put the game out of reach. Nelson has a mediocre 4.46 ERA, 1.44 WHIP and 31:11 K:BB through 42.1 innings since the beginning of June, and his rotation spot could be in jeopardy if the Diamondbacks get aggressive at the trade deadline.

Alcantara (3-8) took the loss Friday, giving up three runs (two earned) on eight hits and a walk over six innings as the Marlins were downed 5-2 by the Orioles. He struck out five.

For the first time this season, Alcantara delivered back-to-back quality starts. but Miami couldn't provide him with enough run support to get the right-hander into the win column. The team continues to keep a close eye on Alcantara's workload -- it's been nearly two months since he tossed 100 or more pitches in a start, but that hasn't resulted in significantly better numbers, as he has a 4.26 ERA, 1.29 WHIP and 45:17 K:BB in 63.1 innings in those 10 outings. His next trip to the mound lines up for a series in St. Louis next week.

Stripling did not factor into the decision Friday, allowing two runs on five hits over 4.2 innings against the Pirates. He struck out six and did not issue a walk.

Stripling worked into the fifth inning, deeper than he's gone into a contest since May 7. The right-hander missed six weeks this season with a back injury and is just now building up to something resembling a normal starter's workload, tossing 72 pitches Friday. He's unlikely to face hitters a third time in any outing, but Stripling seems to be trending in the right direction. He's allowed a total of five earned runs with 14 strikeouts against one walk in 13.1 innings since his return.