MLB Player News

Nelson (3-3) earned the win Saturday, allowing four hits and two walks over 5.2 scoreless innings against the Tigers. He struck out four.

It was mostly smooth sailing for Nelson through the first five innings as Arizona's offense provided him with solid run support early. He was relieved by Austin Adams in the sixth after issuing back-to-back walks to load the bases, though the latter was able to get out of the jam unscathed. Nelson, who threw a season-high 98 pitches Saturday, has now won two of his last three starts, while Saturday marked the second time this season in which he didn't allow a run.

Rogers (biceps) was scratched from his scheduled rehab start Saturday with discomfort in his non-throwing shoulder, MLB.com reports.

Rogers has been out since mid-April with biceps soreness. He's made a pair of rehab starts, giving up just two hits in nine scoreless innings, but the Marlins wanted him to make one more before activating him. He felt discomfort in his right shoulder during warm-ups and did not wind up making his scheduled appearance, and it's not yet clear how the Marlins will proceed.

Painter (elbow) threw a 20-pitch bullpen session Saturday, Alex Coffey of The Philadelphia Inquirer reports.

Painter entered spring training with a shot to crack the Phillies' Opening Day rotation as a teenager, but a sprained UCL derailed those plans. He avoided surgery and has been steadily building up over the last two months. He began playing catch in early April and had worked his way to bullpen sessions by late May, though those came from the front of the mound. He's ready for the real thing now, but Painter still has steps to go in his recovery before the Phillies consider activating him from the injured list.

Lugo (calf) threw to live hitters at the Padres' spring training complex in Arizona on Friday, per MLB.com.

Lugo is working his way back from the right calf strain he suffered during a start May 16. The right-hander has also been throwing bullpens and may not need to go on a rehab assignment before returning to the big club. Lugo would likely slide back into a starting role upon activation since Ryan Weathers has been abysmal as his replacement.

Suarez did not factor into the decision Friday, allowing one run on four hits and two walks over six innings in a 5-4 victory over the Dodgers. He struck out eight.

Suarez struck out a season-high eight and notched his third straight quality start. During that stretch, he's allowed just four runs over 19.2 innings and has a 15:5 K:BB. The left-hander began the campaign on the injured list with an elbow issue and was shaky across his first three outings, but he appears to have found a groove and will look to stay sharp during his next start, which is tentatively scheduled as part of an upcoming four-game set in Arizona.

Grove allowed four runs on seven hits and one walk while striking out two over four innings during Friday's 5-4 loss to Philadelphia.

Grove operated as a bulk reliever behind Victor Gonzalez, who faced just three batters as the opener. The former has made two appearances since being activated off the injured list at the beginning of June, and while he's allowed eight runs on 11 hits through nine innings, he's posted a strong 9:1 K:BB during that stretch. He could remain a steady part of the Dodgers' rotation while Julio Urias (hamstring) and Noah Syndergaard (finger) are on the injured list, though with Urias nearing a return.

Smith-Shawver didn't factor into the decision in Friday's 3-2 win over the Nationals, allowing two unearned runs on three hits and two walks over 5.1 innings. He struck out two.

A year ago at this time, Smith-Shawver was a teenager at Single-A just trying to harness his plus stuff and find the plate often enough to be effective. Friday, he made his first career big-league start and consistently dotted the inside corners of the strike zone with mid-90s heat while generating weak contact that his defense had some trouble corralling. The 20-year-old didn't show the dominance he'd displayed earlier this season as he made a rapid ascent through Atlanta's system, but that should come as he gets more comfortable in the majors. With Max Fried (forearm) and Kyle Wright (shoulder) out until at least the All-Star break, Smith-Shawver appears to be in line for a long look in the rotation, with his next outing potentially coming next week in Detroit.

Kelly (8-3) earned the win Friday, allowing three runs on seven hits and two walks over 6.1 innings in a 11-6 victory over the Tigers. He struck out five.

Kelly has recorded a quality start in seven of his last eight appearances. During that stretch, he's secured seven wins while posting a 2.66 ERA, 0.99 WHIP and 57:13 K:BB across 50.2 innings. The right-hander will look to stay sharp in his next start, which is tentatively scheduled to come during a four-game set versus Philadelphia.

Gray didn't factor into the decision in Friday's 3-2 loss to Atlanta, allowing one run on two hits and four walks over five innings. He struck out six.

The right-hander's control was erratic, to say the least -- he also uncorked four wild pitches -- but Gray limited the damage over his 96 pitches (56 strikes) against a dangerous offense and exited the game with the score tied 1-1. Gray will take a 3.00 ERA, 1.40 WHIP and 61:37 K:BB through 72 innings into his next start, likely to come next week in Houston.

Hill (6-5) earned the win Friday, allowing two runs on seven hits and two walks over seven innings against the Mets. He struck out six.

Hill was dominant throughout the evening, throwing 72 of his season-high 119 pitches for strikes and inducing 11 swinging strikes. The veteran southpaw did not allow a runner past first base after the third inning. Hill has looked great over his last two starts, tossing 13.2 innings while allowing just three runs and striking out 12. The 43-year-old will be looking for his third consecutive quality start next week on the road against the Cubs.