MLB Player News

Quintana (4-6) took the loss Friday versus Atlanta, allowing four runs (two earned) on seven hits and two walks while striking out three over five innings.

Quintana's decent pitching was nullified by an error that allowed Atlanta to scrape together two runs in the fourth inning. It's the second start in a row that the Cardinals' defense has made the southpaw's job harder. He's allowed no more than two earned runs in any of his five starts since joining St. Louis from Pittsburgh at the trade deadline. Overall, Quintana has a 3.45 ERA, 1.32 WHIP and 108:42 K:BB through 127.2 innings across 25 starts.

Strider (8-4) earned the win Friday over the Cardinals, allowing one run on six hits, a walk and a hit batsman with seven strikeouts in six innings.

Strider threw 72 of 102 pitches for strikes in a sharp start. This was the fifth time in his last six outings he's limited opponents to one run. The right-hander trimmed his ERA to 2.87 with a 1.03 WHIP and 158:38 K:BB across 106.2 innings through 27 appearances (16 starts) this season. He'll look to keep this good stretch going in his next start, tentatively projected for next week at home versus Colorado.

Bassitt allowed four runs on eight hits and a walk over 7.1 innings against the Rockies on Friday. He struck out one and did not factor in the decision.

Bassitt tossed five scoreless frames before running into trouble in the sixth. He gave up three runs that inning and was later charged with one more in the eighth during the Mets' win. Bassitt has gone 4-0 with a 2.29 ERA and a 24:9 K:BB over his last six outings, lowering his season ERA to 3.34 through 24 starts. He's projected to face the Dodgers at home next week.

Falter (2-3) allowed three runs on five hits over six innings Friday, striking out six and earning a win over Pittsburgh.

Falter tossed three shutout frames before coughing up a two-run shot to Bryan Reynolds in the fourth inning, followed by a Rodolfo Castro solo homer in the fifth. The 25-year-old southpaw is 2-0 with a 3.00 ERA and nine strikeouts in two MLB starts this month, but Falter is sporting a 4.41 ERA through 51 innings on the season. He's currently projected to start in Arizona next week.

Steele was removed from Friday's game against the Brewers due to low back tightness, Tony Andracki of Marquee Sports Network reports.

Although Steele appeared to be reaching for his left leg prior to leaving Friday's matchup with a trainer, he was ultimately diagnosed with a back injury following his departure. It's not yet clear whether the issue will force him to spend time on the injured list. If the southpaw is cleared to make his next turn through the rotation, he projects to start on the road Wednesday in Toronto.

Steele was removed from Friday's game against the Brewers in the bottom of the sixth inning due to an apparent leg injury, Meghan Montemurro of the Chicago Tribune reports.

Steele was relatively effective to begin Friday's matchup, allowing a run on four hits and four walks while striking out six in 5.1 innings. However, he appeared to grab at the back of his left leg after giving up a flyout in the bottom of the sixth inning, and he exited the game following a visit from the trainer. The exact nature and severity of his injury aren't yet clear, but Steele tentatively lines up to make his next start on the road against Toronto on Wednesday if he's cleared to pitch.

Matz (knee) will likely focus on returning as a reliever, Jeff Jones of the Belleville News-Democrat reports.

Matz has been throwing low-intensity side sessions recently and is slated to throw a high-intensity bullpen Saturday. The Cardinals don't think that the southpaw will have enough time to get stretched out prior to the end of the regular season, but he'll likely be able to return sometime in September if he doesn't experience any issues preparing for a bullpen role.

Wheeler (forearm) is on track to begin throwing in three-to-five days, Alex Coffey of The Philadelphia Inquirer reports.

Wheeler hit the injured list Thursday with right forearm tendinitis, but he's since downplayed the issue, saying he's dealt with the problem before and that he could have potentially pitched through it. He'll instead skip at least two turns through the rotation, but it's possible he misses no more than that, as he expects to return after throwing just a pair of bullpen sessions. Bailey Falter has stepped into the rotation in Wheeler's place and will start Friday against the Pirates.

Kershaw (back) will throw Saturday with an eye toward returning next Thursday or Friday, Juan Toribio of MLB.com reports.

Kershaw has been out since early August with a back issue, but his absence doesn't appear set to stretch on too much longer. He's expected to skip a rehab assignment and should return in no more than a week if all goes well.

Megill (shoulder) threw a bullpen session Friday and is scheduled for live batting practice Monday, Anthony DiComo of MLB.com reports.

Megill has been sidelined by a shoulder injury since mid-June but is closing in on his return from the injured list. If all goes well Monday, the right-hander could start a rehab assignment later next week. Megill is still expected to rejoin the Mets as a reliever, so he shouldn't require a lengthy rehab stint to get stretched out.