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Merrill Kelly SP | ARI
Diamondbacks' Merrill Kelly: Continues solid stretch
Kelly registered a no-decision during Saturday's 3-2 loss to Colorado, allowing two runs on seven hits and one walk with five strikeouts in seven-plus innings.
Kelly fired six scoreless frames before surrendering a run on two hits in the seventh. He also allowed a solo home run and a single in the eighth before being pulled. The 33-year-old fired an impressive 70 of 93 pitches for strikes with 11 whiffs and has now permitted two runs or fewer in seven straight starts while completing at least six innings in each outing. Kelly's 2.86 ERA ranks 13th in MLB while his 1.13 WHIP is 25th, and he lines up for an enticing outing against Pittsburgh next week.
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Antonio Senzatela RP | MIL
Rockies' Antonio Senzatela: Goes seven innings in no-decision
Senzatela registered a no-decision during Saturday's 3-2 win against Arizona, allowing two runs on nine hits with two strikeouts in seven innings.
Senzatela's outing was bookended with runs -- he surrendered a Christian Walker RBI single in the first inning and a Daulton Varsho solo shot in the seventh -- but kept Arizona off the board in the middle innings thanks in part to a pair of double plays. The 27-year-old has now permitted three runs or fewer in four starts since returning from a stint on the injured list due to a shoulder injury, during which he's registered a 4.01 ERA in 24.2 innings. Senzatela possesses a 4.68 ERA and 1.70 WHIP with 50 strikeouts in 84.2 innings across 17 starts. He's currently scheduled for a rematch with Arizona next weekend.
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Jordan Montgomery RP | TEX
Cardinals' Jordan Montgomery: Removed for precautionary purposes
Montgomery was removed from Saturday's game against the Yankees prior to the sixth inning due to leg cramps, John Denton of MLB.com reports.
Montgomery cruised against his former team, allowing just two hits, but his night came to an early end due to the leg issue. The Cardinals noted Montgomery's removal was for precautionary purposes, so it seems more likely than not that he will take the ball the next time through rotation. He tentatively lines up for a home start versus the Brewers in next weekend's series.
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Clayton Kershaw SP | LAD
Dodgers' Clayton Kershaw: Receives epidural shot
Kershaw (back) received an epidural injection Friday, Fabian Ardaya of The Athletic reports.
Manager Dave Roberts said Saturday that there is no timeline for when Kershaw will resume a throwing program. The starter for the National League All-Star team this season, Kershaw posted a 5.27 ERA in his first three starts out of the break before landing on the injured list. An MRI yielded favorable results, showing nothing new in Kershaw's lower back.
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Pablo Lopez SP | MIN
Marlins' Pablo Lopez: Falls to 7-7
Lopez (7-7) took the loss Saturday, allowing four runs on nine hits and two walks over five innings against the Cubs. He struck out six.
Lopez continues to baffle Marlins fans and those rostering him in fantasy baseball. He's allowed at least four runs in three of his last four turns. The 26-year-old has an ERA close to 5.00 since the end of May, but at least his strikeouts rebounded Saturday after he managed just one his last time out. Lopez has already established a new career high in innings (123.2) this season, and given his injury history, it would make sense if the Marlins took steps to limit him down the stretch.
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Drew Smyly SP | CHC
Cubs' Drew Smyly: Shuts down Marlins
Smyly (4-6) earned the win Saturday, allowing five hits and one walk over 6.2 scoreless innings against the Marlins. He struck out four.
This was his best start of the season to date. While Smyly has fallen short of the five innings needed to qualify for the win several times this year, he's had a couple quality starts recently around a hiccup in San Francisco, his first two quality starts of the season. Smyly's ERA is back under 4.00 for the campaign. He lines up for a road start in Cincinnati next week.
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David Peterson SP | CHC
Mets' David Peterson: Optioned after spot start
Peterson was optioned to Triple-A Syracuse after the first game of Saturday's doubleheader, Anthony DiComo of MLB.com reports.
The left-hander was excellent in the matinee, striking out five and holding Atlanta to three hits and three walks over 5.1 scoreless innings in a Mets victory to improve to 6-2 on the season. Peterson will likely be back with the Mets when they require a temporary sixth starter for their Aug. 20 doubleheader with the Phillies.
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MacKenzie Gore SP | TEX
Nationals' MacKenzie Gore: Begins throwing next week
Gore (elbow) will begin playing catch at Nationals Park next Friday, Jesse Dougherty of The Washington Post reports.
Part of the blockbuster Juan Soto trade, Gore finished his time in San Diego on the injured list with a sore elbow. The lefty showed flashes prior to hitting the shelf, posting a 2.50 ERA and 1.19 WHIP over his first 10 starts in the big leagues. Gore was a big-time prospect and the Nationals will likely take it slow with his recovery in hopes of getting him back to that early-season form.
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Jack Flaherty SP | DET
Cardinals' Jack Flaherty: Marmol 'super encouraged'
Flaherty (shoulder) will begin a minor-league rehab assignment soon, John Denton of MLB.com reports. "We're super encouraged with where he's at," manager Oliver Marmol said.
The skipper confirmed that Flaherty will ultimately return to St. Louis in a starter's role, and that the right-hander will head out to a minor-league affiliate soon. Flaherty will need to make it through a few rehab appearances unscathed, but if he's anything close to his normal self, he will need to be rostered across all fantasy leagues for the final month-plus.
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Hunter Greene SP | CIN
Reds' Hunter Greene: Not expected to need surgery
Greene will undergo additional tests on his left shoulder, but he is not expected to require surgery, Mark Sheldon of MLB.com reports.
While the full extent of the issue remains unclear even after one MRI, the belief is that the shoulder is structurally sound. There is no timetable for his return, and the Reds have every incentive to be cautious with the 23-year-old, but it sounds like a return for Greene this season is still on the table.