MLB Player News

Cardinals manager Oliver Marmol said Flaherty (shoulder) will make a fifth rehab start Wednesday for Triple-A Memphis, Katie Woo of The Athletic reports.

Though Flaherty appeared poised to return from the 60-day injured list during the upcoming week after covering 5.1 innings and tossing 85 pitches in his most recent rehab start Friday, the Cardinals' brass determined that the right-hander would benefit from having one final tune-up outing in the minors. Assuming Flaherty escapes Wednesday's start unscathed, Marmol said that the 26-year-old will likely make his return to the big-league rotation Sept. 5 against the Nationals. If the Cardinals elect to maintain a five-man rotation upon Flaherty's return, Dakota Hudson would be the starter most at risk of moving to the bullpen.

Greene (shoulder) is expected to begin a rehab assignment Thursday with Triple-A Louisville, Byron Kerr of MLB.com reports.

Greene's strained right shoulder responded well to him facing hitters in live batting practice Saturday, so the rookie looks like he'll be ready to move on to the final phase of his recovery program. He's expected to make two rehab appearances in the minors, as Reds manager David Bell said Sunday that if all goes well, Greene will likely return from the 15-day injured list to rejoin the big-league rotation Sept. 11 in Milwaukee or Sept. 12 at home versus the Pirates.

Gore (elbow) is scheduled to throw another bullpen session Monday or Tuesday before likely facing hitters in live batting practice later in the week, Mark Zuckerman of MASNSports.com reports.

The Nationals still envision Gore returning from the 15-day injured list as a member of the rotation before season's end, though because of the time he'll need to build back up, he may be able to make only a couple of turns through the rotation. The rookie left-hander had been on the IL since July 26 with elbow inflammation before he was shipped to the Nationals in the Aug. 2 blockbuster deal that sent Juan Soto to San Diego.

Cavalli is scheduled to make his next start Thursday versus the Athletics in Washington, Mark Zuckerman of MASNSports.com reports.

Despite being roughed up for seven earned runs over 4.1 innings in his MLB debut Friday against the Reds, Cavalli will get another chance to right the ship as he aims to gain a foothold in Washington's rotation heading into 2023. The home matchup with the lowly Athletics represents a good bounce-back opportunity for Cavalli, who at least showed some positive signs in his debut in the form of his six strikeouts.

The Reds are listing Anderson as their scheduled starter for Monday's game against the Cardinals, Byron Kerr of MLB.com reports.

Prior to Monday's contest, the Reds will need to formally select Anderson's contract to add him to the 40-man roster and 26-man active roster, after he joined the organization Saturday on a minor-league deal. He'll be stepping into the rotation spot vacated by T.J. Zeuch (back), who was placed on the 15-day injured list Thursday. Between stops with the Tigers' and Rays' Triple-A affiliates this season, Anderson has produced a 4.50 ERA, 1.33 WHIP and 72:29 K:BB in 80 innings.

Dodgers manager Dave Roberts said Sunday that Kershaw (back) will be part of a six-man rotation for "a couple weeks at the bare minimum" when the southpaw returns from the 15-day injured list, most likely during the upcoming week, Fabian Ardaya of The Athletic reports.

Roberts disclosed that a decision on when Kershaw will pitch next has already been reached, but the skipper wasn't yet ready to reveal which day the southpaw will take the hill. It's possible the Dodgers send Kershaw to a minor-league affiliate for a tune-up start, but because he already built up to 70 pitches in a simulated game Saturday, he's seemingly stretched out enough to rejoin the big-league rotation. Since Thursday's matchup with the Mets would align with a typical four-day rest schedule and is also the same day that the Dodgers' active roster will expand from 26 men to 28, that contest might represent the most logical time for Los Angeles to activate Kershaw and slot him into the rotation.

Cubs manager David Ross said Sunday that Steele, who experienced low-back tightness coming out of his most recent start Friday against the Brewers, won't be eligible to join the team in Toronto for its upcoming three-game series versus the Blue Jays due to his vaccination status, Gordon Wittenmyer of NBC Sports Chicago reports.

Along with Steele, fellow starting pitcher Adrian Sampson won't make the trip to Toronto due to the vaccination rules in place for Canada. Sampson is starting Sunday's series finale in Milwaukee and wasn't in line to pitch versus the Blue Jays anyway, but Steele would have been on tap to take the hill Wednesday, assuming his back issue didn't prove to be a concern. Instead, the Cubs will now have to place Sampson on the restricted list Monday and appoint a spot starter for Wednesday's contest. Steele should be on track to make his next start at some point during the Cubs' series in St. Louis next weekend.

The Pirates placed Brubaker (personal) on the paternity list Sunday.

Brubaker had been lined up to start Monday's series opener in Milwaukee, but his upcoming absence will force the Pirates to change plans. Per MLB rules, Brubaker can spend between 1-to-3 days away from the team while he's on the paternity list, so expect him to be activated no later than Wednesday. Brubaker tentatively lines up to make his next start at some point during next weekend's home series versus the Blue Jays.

Woodruff didn't factor into the decision against the Cubs on Saturday, allowing no runs on four hits while striking out 10 and walking one over six innings.

Despite pitching a six-inning, 10-strikeout gem Satuday, Woodruff was not granted the win. Instead, it went to Taylor Rogers, who relieved him in the top of the seventh inning, just before the Milwaukee offense put up four runs in the bottom of the frame. Woodruff has picked up three quality starts with a 2.70 ERA this month. His season ERA sits at 3.31 after Saturday's performance.

Smyly did not factor into the decision against the Brewers on Saturday, allowing no runs on five hits while striking out two and walking one over six innings.

Smyly pitched a gem against the Brewers, throwing 62 of 86 pitches for strikes across six frames. Despite six Milwaukee batters reaching base, Smyly was able to keep all of them from reaching home. He was left with the no-decision after his bullpen allowed seven runs in the final two innings. The lefty has been incredible this month, picking up three quality starts to go along with a 0.90 ERA. Smyly began the month with a 3.97 ERA but has since lowered it to 3.24.