MLB Player News

Smyly (8-7) yielded one run on two hits and a walk over 4.1 innings Friday, striking out six and earning a win against the Cardinals.

Smyly worked out of the bullpen again Friday, entering the game in the third inning after Hayden Wesneski covered the first two frames. It was a solid rebound performance for Smyly after he had allowed 22 earned runs over his previous 21 innings. He lowered his season ERA to 4.50 with a 97:37 K:BB through 108 frames. Smyly is expected to remain in a bulk relief role and is currently in line to take the mound against the Reds at home next week.

Montgomery (6-9) allowed three runs on five hits and four walks over six innings Friday, striking out three and taking a loss against the Cubs.

He rolled through four shutout frames before the Cubs finally broke through in the fifth inning. Montgomery's been tagged with two consecutive losses while giving up eight earned runs over 12 innings during that stretch. Before that, he'd yielded one earned run or fewer in each of his previous five outings. Montgomery is sporting a 3.42 ERA and 108:35 K:BB through 121 frames. His next start is projected to come at home against the Twins next week, provided St. Louis doesn't trade him before then.

Lodolo (lower leg) threw a side session Friday and is now targeting a return in late August, C. Trent Rosecrans of The Athletic reports.

Reds manager David Bell had previously suggested Lodolo wouldn't be an option for the big-league club until September. However, the lefty has already shed his walking boot and had his estimated return date moved up. Lodolo still has hurdles to clear before he heads out on a rehab assignment, but teammate Hunter Greene (hip) is targeting an Aug. 20 return and it sounds like Lodolo won't be far behind.

Greene (hip) has an estimated return date of Aug. 20, Charlie Goldsmith of The Cincinnati Enquirer reports.

Greene emerged from Tuesday's side session no worse for wear and threw live batting practice Friday, per Mark Sheldon of MLB.com. The right-hander has been out since mid-June with right hip issues and has been working lately on strengthening core stability. A specific target date for his return has now come into focus, with starts in the minors on a rehab assignment looking likely, perhaps starting next weekend.

Mikolas was suspended for five games after throwing at Ian Happ on Thursday, Jesse Rogers of ESPN.com reports.

Mikolas threw back-to-back pitches at Happ after the Cubs outfielder hit Willson Contreras in the head on his backswing, leading to the right-hander's ejection. Mikolas is appealing the suspension.

The Rockies promoted Flexen from Triple-A Albuquerque on Friday ahead of his start against the Athletics on Saturday, Suzie Hunter of TheDNVR.com reports.

Flexen holds a 7.71 ERA and 1.86 WHIP across 42 innings this season, but he will join a Rockies rotation that is desperate for healthy arms. Saturday will mark Flexen's fifth start of the season -- the first four came with Seattle -- and while his stats haven't been great and he will be pitching at Coors Field, he will have the benefit of facing the worst offense in the majors.

The Rockies placed Anderson on the 15-day injured list Friday with right shoulder inflammation.

Anderson holds a 6.08 ERA and 1.48 WHIP through 60.2 frames this season and will now be on the shelf for at least a couple weeks. Even with the return of Kyle Freeland (shoulder) from the injured list Friday, Colorado only has three healthy starters on its roster, meaning more moves are likely coming.

Tidwell has a 1.56 ERA, 1.11 WHIP and 85 strikeouts in 63.1 innings over his last 12 starts for High-A Brooklyn.

Tidwell had a couple shaky outings early in the year, but he has been a machine this summer, going at least five innings in each of his last seven starts including two seven-inning outings. His power fastball/slider combination is clearly too much for High-A hitters, so he should get a bump to Double-A before the end of the season.

The Rockies reinstated Freeland (shoulder) from the 15-day injured list Friday.

Freeland was placed on the injured list retroactive to July 13 and will now return after a minimum stay. The 30-year-old southpaw holds a 4.72 ERA through 103 innings on the season and will get to face an Oakland offense Friday that ranks last in team OPS (.655).

The Cubs recalled Wesneski from Triple-A Iowa ahead of his start Friday against St. Louis, Meghan Montemurro of the Chicago Tribune reports.

Wesneski has been so-so in the majors this season, posting a 4.75 ERA and 1.20 WHIP across 60.2 frames. If he's able to impress against the Cardinals on Friday, there's a solid chance Wesneski remains in the Cubs' rotation long term, especially if the Cubs deal one of their top five starters ahead of the deadline. Michael Rucker was optioned to Iowa to clear a space for Wesneski.