MLB Player News

Matz (knee) could throw off a mound this weekend, Katie Woo of The Athletic reports.

Per Jeff Jones of the Belleville News-Democrat, Matz played catch off a mound Wednesday and did some running on the field, so throwing pitches off the mound would mark another step forward in his recovery from a torn MCL in his left knee. Matz is still likely a week or more away from beginning a minor-league rehab assignment, so he's not expected to be a rotation option for the Cardinals until September at the soonest.

Atlanta reinstated Fried (concussion) from the 7-day injured list ahead of his scheduled start Thursday against the Mets.

Right-hander Freddy Tarnok was optioned to Triple-A Gwinnett to open up room on the active roster for Fried, who will make his first start since Aug. 6 after clearing MLB's concussion protocol. The southpaw will be facing the Mets for the fourth time this season after turning in a 3.18 ERA and 16:6 K:BB across 17 innings in the previous three matchups.

Lopez (7-8) took the loss Wednesday, coughing up six runs on six hits and three walks over 4.2 innings as the Marlins fell 10-3 to the Padres. He struck out two.

A first-inning grand slam by Jake Cronenworth set the tone for the afternoon, and Lopez didn't escape the frame until a fifth run had crossed the plate. The right-hander settled down after that, but the damage was done. Lopez has failed to complete six innings in any of his last four starts, going 0-3 with a 9.00 ERA, 2.00 WHIP and 13:5 K:BB through 18 innings over that brutal stretch.

Clevinger didn't factor into the decision in Wednesday's 10-3 win over the Marlins, giving up three runs on six hits and four walks over 4.1 innings. He struck out one.

The Padres provided the right-hander with plenty of support, piling up five runs in the top of the first inning alone, but Clevinger's inefficiency cost him a win -- he needed 89 pitches (56 strikes) to record only 13 outs. The 31-year-old has failed to last longer than five innings in any of his last three starts, and he could be fading in his first season back from Tommy John surgery after tossing only 41.2 innings in 2020 and none last year. Clevinger will take a 3.63 ERA, 1.21 WHIP and 66:25 K:BB through 74.1 innings into his next outing.

Wright (arm) is scheduled to start Friday's series opener against the Astros in Atlanta, Chandler Rome of the Houston Chronicle reports.

Wright had been a candidate to start Thursday's series finale with the Mets, but Max Fried (concussion) is on track to be reinstated from the 7-day injured list in time to take the hill against the National League East leaders. Coming out of his last outing Aug. 10 in Boston, Wright experienced some right arm fatigue, but the extended break looks like it's provided him with sufficient time to recover from the issue. He's not expected to face any major workload restrictions when he takes the hill Friday.

Contreras (3-3) took the loss Wednesday, allowing four runs on six hits and four walks over six innings against the Red Sox. He struck out three.

Contreras allowed two run-scoring doubles, the first from second baseman Christian Arroyo for two runs in the second inning and the second from outfielder Alex Verdugo for another tally in the fifth. This was the first major league appearance since July 7 for Contreras, who had a case of the home-run bug with seven long balls given up in his last six outings prior to being sent down to Triple-A. Furthermore, the 22-year-old has allowed significant traffic on the bases with 14 walks and a 1.69 WHIP over 26.2 innings during the previously mentioned six-game span, and he had trouble again Wednesday during his first start back in the majors.

Lodolo did not factor into the decision against the Phillies on Wednesday, allowing no runs on five hits while striking out eight and walking two over seven innings.

Lodolo found himself in a pitchers' duel Wednesday with Ranger Suarez, both of whom lasted seven innings and struck out eight batters without allowing a run. Lodolo tossed 64 of 98 pitches for strikes, showing good command with only two walks. Although he did not get the win, the lefty picked up a quality start, his first since July 31 and his third overall. After allowing seven earned runs in his last 9.1 innings, Wednesday's outing may have set Lodolo on the right track. He will take a 4.12 ERA into his next outing.

Suarez did not factor into the decision against the Reds on Wednesday, allowing no runs on three hits while striking out eight and walking two over seven innings.

Suarez threw 61 of 95 pitches for strikes across seven frames in Wednesday's gem. He allowed five baserunners, but was able to keep them all from reaching home. This outing gives the lefty back-to-back quality starts. He has allowed four earned runs across his last 35.1 innings pitched after allowing 13 in the 31 innings prior. Since the start of July, Suarez has lowered his ERA from 4.07 to where it currently sits at 3.31.

Rodon did not factor in the decision against Arizona on Wednesday despite allowing only one run on two hits and two walks while striking out 11 batters over six innings.

Rodon exited after six frames staked to a one-run lead, but an eighth-inning Diamondbacks comeback removed his chance at a win. Despite the final outcome, the southpaw was dominant in the outing, racking up 19 swinging strikes and registering double-digit punchouts for the third time in his past five starts. Rodon has posted a 2.67 ERA, 0.73 WHIP and 41:4 K:BB over 30.1 innings during that stretch. He ranks third in the majors with 179 strikeouts on the campaign.

Davies did not factor in the decision against San Francisco on Wednesday, pitching five innings and allowing one run on five hits and two walks while striking out six batters.

Davies was effective in the contest, allowing just one run on a third-inning homer by LaMonte Wade Jr. Davies threw 45 of 82 pitches for strikes and registered his most punchouts since mid-June, but he got little run support and extended his stretch of outings without a win to 11. The inability to record a victory has been especially frustrating of late, as Davies has allowed just four runs over his past 15 innings.