MLB Player News

Elder allowed one earned run on four hits and two walks while striking out six across 5.2 innings Wednesday against the Nationals. He did not factor into the decision.

Elder got a spot start after Spencer Strider (oblique) had his start pushed back a few days. Elder took advantage of the look at the big-league level, inducing nine groundball outs to go along with his six punchouts to keep the Nationals lineup in check. Though he's pitched at Triple-A Gwinnett for much of the season, Elder has maintained a 3.38 ERA with a 36:21 K:BB across 40 innings with Atlanta on the campaign.

Wheeler tossed four scoreless innings, allowing two hits while striking out three in Wednesday's extra-inning win over the Blue Jays. He did not factor into the decision.

Wheeler was activated from the 15-day injured list Wednesday following a forearm injury, keeping the Blue Jays off the board while logging 58 pitches in the start. The right-hander could take on a full workload as soon as his next outing as the Phillies challenge for a playoff spot. Wheeler owns a 2.98 ERA and 1.06 WHIP with 151 punchouts over 142 innings in 24 starts this season.

Contreras (5-5) took the loss Wednesday, allowing six runs on six hits and two walks over 4.2 innings against the Yankees. He struck out 10.

The Yankees hit Contreras hard Wednesday, as five of the six hits he surrendered went for extra bases. However, most of the damage came via an Oswaldo Cabrera grand slam in the first inning, as he allowed just two runs after that point. He recorded double-digit punchouts for the first time this season, and Wednesday marks the first time that he has allowed more than two runs since Aug. 17. He will take a 3.68 ERA into his next start.

Luzardo tossed 6.2 innings, giving up one run on three hits and a walk while striking out 11 in Wednesday's loss to the Cubs. He did not factor into the decision.

Luzardo was in full command for the first six innings, holding the Cubs scoreless while striking out 10. After getting two outs in the top of the seventh, including a strikeout, Patrick Wisdom took the left-hander deep for a solo shot, ending his day at 6.2 innings. The bullpen later blew the 3-1 lead Luzardo left with, but the outing was his sixth quality start in his last seven outings. The 24-year-old has produced a 3.40 ERA and 1.04 WHIP with 44 strikeouts over 42.1 innings during that stretch.

Stroman pitched six innings, surrendering three runs on five hits and a walk while striking out seven in Wednesday's win over the Marlins. He did not factor into the decision.

Stroman tossed four scoreless frames before giving up a double and two home runs in the bottom of the fifth inning, accounting for all the damage against him in the contest. The right-hander pitched well after being moved up to start Wednesday, logging his second consecutive quality start and third in his last four outings overall. Stroman has produced a 2.79 ERA and 1.00 WHIP with 22 strikeouts over 29 innings in his last five starts.

Nelson was placed on the 15-day injured list Wednesday with right scapula inflammation.

Nelson had X-rays come back negative after he was struck by a comebacker in the right forearm during Sunday's start against the Padres, but he's now headed to the IL with a inflammation around his shoulder. The 24-year-old will be eligible to return for the last couple days of the regular season, though it's unclear if he's expected to be ready to pitch by that point.

Manager Dave Roberts said Gonsolin (forearm) will throw two innings against live hitters Thursday, J.P. Hoornstra of the Los Angeles Daily News reports.

The road back has been a slow journey for Gonsolin after he landed on the 15-day injured list at the end of August. He's thrown a handful of bullpen sessions over the past week and could still make a return before the end of the regular season, but it will almost certainly be in a bullpen role.

Smyly (shoulder) will likely make his next start Tuesday or Wednesday against the Phillies, Meghan Montemurro of the Chicago Tribune reports.

Smyly was scratched from Wednesday's start against Miami due to left shoulder fatigue and won't take the mound during the Cubs' weekend series in Pittsburgh. However, the southpaw isn't believed to be dealing with a significant injury and should be able to return to action after missing just one turn through the rotation.

The Phillies activated Wheeler (forearm) from the 15-day injured list ahead of his scheduled start Wednesday versus the Blue Jays.

Though he's back in action after just under a month-long stay on the shelf, Wheeler is expected to be on a more limited pitch count than usual since he didn't complete a rehab start prior to being activated. Per Alex Coffey of The Philadelphia Inquirer, interim manager Rob Thomson indicated over the weekend that Noah Syndergaard will piggyback Wheeler on Wednesday, so the Phillies' ace could struggle to work deep enough into the start to factor into any decision.

Pepiot (3-0) earned the win over the Diamondbacks in the first game of Tuesday's doubleheader, allowing one hit and one walk while striking out four batters over three innings.

Michael Grove got the start for Los Angeles and gave the team five innings before Pepiot took over in the sixth. The latter was very effective in his three frames, allowing two of the first three batters he faced to reach base before retiring the next eight. Pepiot served as the 29th man for the doubleheader, so he could return to the minors soon despite the strong outing.