MLB Player News

DeGrom (elbow) threw 10 pitches off a mound Tuesday, Anthony DiComo of MLB.com reports.

It was a light session for the veteran right-hander as he continues his return from a partial UCL tear in his right elbow, but a return to mound work is still a significant step forward in his recovery. DeGrom is attempting to make a return before the end of the regular season, but time is running out with less than three weeks to go in the campaign.

Syndergaard (elbow) will face hitters Wednesday, Deesha Thosar of the New York Daily News reports.

Syndergaard threw his most recent bullpen session Monday and apparently felt good afterward since he's now slated to face hitters for the first time since he tested positive for COVID-19. The right-hander will likely return as a reliever to close out the 2021 campaign, so he's presumably close to rejoining to the major-league club.

Padres manager Jayce Tingler said that Snell (groin) was feeling a little more sore and tender than expected Monday, one day after the lefty exited his start against the Dodgers with left adductor tightness, Annie Heilbrunn of The San Diego Union-Tribune reports.

While he said he's hopeful Snell will still be ready to make his next turn through the rotation this weekend in St. Louis, Tingler acknowledged the possibility of the team having to turn to another pitcher to make a spot start. The San Diego rotation has been ravaged by injuries throughout the second half, and Snell's bout with adductor tightness comes at particularly tough time after Chris Paddack (elbow) landed on the injured list Monday.

Woodford is listed as the Cardinals' starting pitcher for Tuesday's game against the Mets.

Woodford was added to the rotation last week as a replacement for Kwang Hyun Kim, who was moved into a bullpen role. The 24-year-old Woodford was capped at four innings in his Sept. 9 start, but he acquitted himself well against a tough Dodgers lineup, allowing only one run on three hits and two walks while striking out three. He should be able to work deeper into Tuesday's outing, taking on a Mets squad that was shut down by Adam Wainwright in Monday's series opener.

Hill (6-7) took the loss Monday as the Mets were downed 7-0 by the Cardinals, giving up three runs on six hits and two walks over five innings. He struck out four.

St. Louis did most of its damage long after Hill had left the mound, but a lack of run support still saddled him with the loss, giving Hill an 0-3 record as a Met. The veteran lefty has not pitched poorly since coming over from the Rays, posting a 3.88 ERA, 1.21 WHIP and 40:11 K:BB through 48.2 innings over 10 appearances (nine starts), but he hasn't gotten into the win column since June 23.

Wainwright (16-7) picked up the win in Monday's 7-0 victory over the Mets, giving up four hits and three walks over six scoreless innings. He struck out four.

The veteran righty cruised to his fifth straight win despite having a little trouble finding the plate consistently, as he tossed only 58 of 103 pitches for strikes before exiting. Wainwright has delivered a quality start in 10 of his last 11 outings, going 9-1 over that stretch with a dazzling 1.72 ERA, 0.86 WHIP and 61:14 K:BB through 78.2 innings.

Alcantara (9-13) picked up the win Monday, allowing only one hit over eight scoreless innings in a 3-0 victory over the Nationals. He struck out seven without walking a batter.

The right-hander continues to dominate, taking a no-hitter into the seventh inning and eventually exiting after 96 pitches (68 strikes). Alcantara's performance was even more remarkable considering he nearly came out of the game in the fourth after taking a screaming Juan Soto comebacker off his knee. The Miami ace has reeled off seven straight quality starts, posting a scintillating 1.55 ERA, 0.75 WHIP and 64:7 K:BB through 52.1 innings over that stretch as he positions himself to be a Cy Young favorite in 2022.

Kelly (illness) could be available to start Wednesday against the Dodgers, Nick Piecoro of the Arizona Republic reports.

Kelly completed a 39-pitch bullpen session in Los Angeles on Monday, and manager Torey Lovullo acknowledged the right-hander was "entering into that conversation" to start Wednesday night. Kelly, who recently logged four innings and 66 pitches in an Arizona Complex League game, could approach 80-90 pitches if reinstated Wednesday.

Gallen (2-10) allowed four runs on eight hits and three walks over 5.1 innings Monday, striking out four and taking a loss against the Dodgers.

Gallen stumbled out of the gate Monday, allowing three runs in the first inning after his offense went up 1-0 before he took the mound. He escaped a few jams on his way to four straight scoreless frames before allowing another run in the sixth. Gallen allowed three or fewer runs in his previous four outings and watched his ERA climb to 4.44 after taking his third consecutive loss. The 26-year-old righty is lined up to face the Astros in Houston this weekend.

Kershaw allowed one run on four hits and a walk over 4.1 innings in Monday's win over Arizona. He struck out five and did not factor in the decision.

Making his first MLB appearance since July 3, Kershaw was pulled after just 50 pitches. He gave up a run on two hits and a walk in the first inning but he retired 11 of the last 13 batters he faced. The veteran southpaw lowered his season ERA to 3.33 with a stellar 132:20 K:BB through 19 starts. Kershaw is projected to face the Reds on the road this weekend where he should have a slightly longer leash.