MLB Player News

Brubaker pitched seven scoreless innings, giving up three hits and two walks while striking out nine in Wednesday's 5-4 extra-inning loss to the Marlins. He did not factor into the decision.

Brubaker was able to produce his best outing of the campaign Wednesday, blanking the Marlins over seven frames while registering nine strikeouts for the third time this season. The five total baserunners were his lowest total allowed since May 7 and the seven innings matched his longest outing of the year. Brubaker has now allowed three or fewer runs in six of his last seven outings, lowering his ERA from 4.70 to 4.02 over that stretch.

Wheeler (8-5) was tagged with the loss Wednesday after he pitched 4.2 innings, giving up six runs on seven hits and a walk while striking out four against the Blue Jays.

Wheeler simply didn't have his best stuff Wednesday, surrendering six runs for the first time since April 17. Most notably, the right-hander gave up two homers in the fourth frame, a solo blast by Vladimir Guerrero and a two-run shot by Teoscar Hernandez. Coming into the contest, he had registered three straight quality starts, but the poor outing saw his ERA jump from 2.46 to a still impressive 2.89 over 17 starts this season. Wheeler is not expected to make another start until after the All-Star break, tentatively lining up to face the Cubs on July 22.

Hendricks (shoulder) will be shut down for at least 2-to-3 weeks before he's cleared to play catch, Gordon Wittenmyer of NBC Sports Chicago reports.

Hendricks has been on the injured list for a week due to a right shoulder strain, and he recently underwent an MRI that didn't reveal any structural damage. However, the right-hander will require more than the minimum of 15 days on the shelf since he won't be able to resume throwing until at least late July. A better timetable for Hendricks' return is unlikely to be revealed until he begins a throwing program.

The Cardinals optioned Liberatore to Triple-A Memphis on Wednesday, John Denton of MLB.com reports.

Liberatore's demotion likely foreshadows Steven Matz's (shoulder) return to the rotation in the Cardinals' final game before the All-Star break Sunday against the Reds. St. Louis may have chosen to delay Matz's activation until the second half if Liberatore fared well in his most recent outing, but the Cardinals' decision to deploy the rookie behind an opener (Jordan Hicks) in Tuesday's 7-6 win over the Dodgers didn't pay dividends. Liberatore took a no-decision after giving up three earned runs in 2.1 innings, inflating his ERA to 5.33 through his first seven outings in the big leagues.

Senzatela (shoulder) allowed one earned run on four hits and a walk over five innings Tuesday in his rehab start with Triple-A Albuquerque.

Senzatela didn't record any strikeouts in the 63-pitch outing, but that's not out of the norm, as any success he finds is typically derived from inducing weak contact rather than making bats miss. Aside from allowing a solo home run, Senzatela was mostly able to steer clear of trouble Tuesday, and his ability to cover five innings should set him up for a return from the 15-day injured list for the Rockies' final game before the All-Star break Sunday against the Pirates. Over his 13 starts this season, Senzatela has turned in a 4.95 ERA and 1.80 WHIP across 60 innings.

Oviedo (2-1) allowed a run on two hits and a walk with a strikeout in 1.1 innings, earning the win Tuesday over the Dodgers.

Oviedo followed opener Jordan Hicks in this contest. Through five innings in July, Oviedo has yielded two runs, six hits and a walk with six strikeouts. The right-hander owns a 3.32 ERA, 1.38 WHIP and 21:6 K:BB in 21.2 innings overall, though he's likely to remain in a multi-inning relief role. He's yet to record a save or a hold in 11 appearances.

Houser (elbow) was spotted playing catch in the outfield prior to Wednesday's game against the Twins, Curt Hogg of the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel reports.

Houser isn't on track to return from the 15-day injured list before the All-Star break, but his ability to resume throwing less than two weeks after landing on the shelf suggests he's dealing with a low-degree strain of his right elbow. He'll likely continue to increase his throwing distance in the next few days before advancing to mound work and then facing hitters. Jason Alexander will continue to serve as Milwaukee's fifth starter while Houser is on the mend.

Dunn (shoulder) struck out two and gave up five runs (four earned) on six hits and three walks over four innings Tuesday in his rehab start for Triple-A Louisville.

Dunn built up to 74 pitches (43 strikes) in the fourth start of a rehab assignment that began June 26. Since the Reds don't have a spot in the rotation available for Dunn at the moment, he'll likely make one more start for Louisville before the organization activates him from the 60-day injured list following the All-Star break. Dunn may need an injury to one of the Reds' other starters or a trade of Luis Castillo or Tyler Mahle prior to the Aug. 2 deadline before getting a look in the big-league rotation.

Keuchel (2-7) allowed eight runs (seven earned) on eight hits and a walk with four strikeouts in 4.1 innings, taking the loss Tuesday versus the Giants.

The Giants set the tone early and teed off for three home runs against Keuchel. The lefty has alternated between mediocre and awful in his first four games for the Diamondbacks, and he's doing little to prove himself worthy of a spot in the rotation. Through 50.2 innings between the Diamondbacks and the White Sox, he has an 8.53 ERA, 2.03 WHIP and 38:27 K:BB. Arizona's off day Thursday likely means Keuchel won't pitch again until after the All-Star break.

Webb (8-3) allowed five hits and two walks with eight strikeouts in six shutout innings to earn the win Tuesday over the Diamondbacks.

Webb has allowed one or zero runs in five of his last six starts, and he's gone at least six innings in each of those contests. The right-hander had all the support he needed after the first inning as he continues to get back on a dominant track. He owns a 2.82 ERA, 1.11 WHIP and 96:26 K:BB through 111.2 innings in 18 starts overall. Webb is tentatively lined up for a home start versus the Brewers this weekend.