MLB Player News

DeGrom (shoulder) threw 27 pitches during live batting practice Wednesday, Anthony DiComo of MLB.com reports.

The live batting practice session was the third deGrom has thrown in just over a week, and he was able to increase his pitch count Wednesday from his previous two workouts. Mets manager Buck Showalter said that the team will meet Thursday to determine the right-hander's next steps, but the skipper indicated that deGrom is close to beginning a rehab assignment.

Garrett (1-3) gave up five earned runs on seven hits and a walk while striking out five to take the loss in a 5-3 defeat to the Cardinals on Tuesday.

Garrett took his third loss of the season in his sixth start since being recalled from Triple-A Jacksonville. The 24-year-old left-hander was effective through the first four innings, but then the Cardinals got to him with a four-run fifth inning to knock him out of the game at 84 pitches. Despite carrying an inflated 5.24 ERA and a 1.70 WHIP, Garrett is striking out about one batter per nine and has a chase rate in the 95th percentile. He is expected to make his next start at Washington on Monday.

Freeland (4-5) gave up three earned runs on six hits and three walks while striking out five to get the win in a 7-4 victory over the Dodgers on Tuesday.

Freeland has been on a roll lately, and his quality start against the tough Dodgers lineup gives him four quality starts out of five appearances in June. He has earned three wins over the time span while lowering his ERA to 4.31, despite three of those starts coming at home. The 29-year-old left-hander is holding batters to a .231 average on the road this year, while that number jumps to .300 at home. Look for him to face off with the Dodgers again Monday.

Kershaw (5-2) gave up six earned runs on nine hits and four walks while striking out four over four innings to take the loss in a 7-4 defeat to the Rockies on Tuesday.

Kershaw had his worst start of the year, giving up a season-high number of hits, walks and earned runs. The walks were especially surprising given Kershaw's reputation for having excellent control. He picked the wrong venue to lose the strike zone, as Coors Field is notorious for punishing pitchers and Tuesday was no different. The Rockies took the veteran left-hander deep twice en route to tagging him with his second loss in nine starts. Look for him to take the mound Sunday against the Padres.

Arizona manager Torey Lovullo confirmed Tuesday that Keuchel will get another start, Nick Piecoro of the Arizona Republic reports.

This news may have been expected, but Lovullo's comments suggest Keuchel is still in an audition phase. The left-hander made his Diamondbacks' debut last Sunday, giving up four runs in 4.1 innings. The 15 swinging strikes induced were more than he registered in any of his eight starts while with the White Sox. Keuchel will likely remain in the rotation going forward, particularly after Arizona placed starter Zach Davies on the injured list with shoulder inflammation. He's expected to start Sunday in Colorado but could be moved up to take Davies' spot Saturday.

Gallen allowed six runs on seven hits and two walks with two strikeouts in five innings, taking a no-decision Tuesday versus the Padres.

Gallen gave up all six runs in the fifth inning, but he was let off the hook when the Diamondbacks rallied for seven runs over the final three frames. This marked the third time Gallen's allowed six runs this year, but he hasn't allowed more than two runs in any of his other 11 starts. He's posted a 3.32 ERA, 1.05 WHIP and 73:21 K:BB across 76 innings overall. The right-hander will look to bounce back next week in a projected home start versus the Giants.

Rodon (7-4) allowed a run on seven hits and struck out four without walking a batter in six innings, earning the win Tuesday versus the Tigers.

Rodon turned in five shutout frames before Miguel Cabrera tagged him for an RBI single in the sixth. Over his last 27 innings, Rodon has allowed two runs while posting a 30:6 K:BB, winning three of his four starts in that span. The ace lowered his ERA to 2.62 with a 1.09 WHIP and 105:28 K:BB in 86 innings overall. He's lined up for a road start in Arizona next week as he looks to stay hot into July.

Castillo (3-4) earned the win Tuesday, allowing five hits and three walks over six scoreless innings against the Cubs. He struck out 11.

Castillo didn't seem to have the best feel for his changeup early on, but he was able to overpower Chicago with the heater -- in fact, all 11 of his punchouts were via the fastball. Overall, Castillo induced 23 swinging strikes on 123 pitches. While he missed time at the start of the season with a shoulder injury and has hit a few small bumps in the road since his return, Castillo will undoubtedly be a popular target for contending teams at the trade deadline.

Quintana allowed one run on four hits and two walks across six innings during Tuesday's 3-1 loss at Washington. He had six strikeouts and didn't factor in the decision.

It was the second straight quality start for the veteran southpaw, though he was left with a no-decision on both occasions. Quintana generated 14 swinging strikes, and he delivered five consecutive scoreless innings after giving up a run in the opening frame. The 33-year-old has pitched well for Pittsburgh this year with a 3.43 ERA, 1.29 WHIP and 67:25 K:BB over 76 innings, though he's rarely been rewarded in the win column with a 1-5 record.

Wheeler didn't factor into the decision in Tuesday's 5-3 loss to Atlanta, giving up three runs on five hits and a walk over 6.1 innings. He struck out eight.

It looked like it might be a rough night for Wheeler after he served up back-to-back homers to Travis d'Arnaud and Matt Olson in the top of the first inning, but the right-hander settled in and delivered his ninth quality start of the season before exiting after 104 pitches (69 strikes). Since the beginning of May, Wheeler has posted a dazzling 2.02 ERA, 1.01 WHIP and 76:11 K:BB through 62.1 innings over 10 starts.