MLB Player News

Nola (ribs) will return from the injured list to start Sunday's game against the Nationals, Scott Lauber of The Philadelphia Inquirer reports.

Nola has looked sharp during his three rehab starts with Triple-A Lehigh Valley, posting a 2.19 ERA and 1.14 WHIP over 12.1 frames and most recently surrendering two runs in 5.2 innings while punching out 11 batters and walking zero. The 32-year-old will aim to keep his hot stretch going during his first MLB start since mid-May while facing the Nationals, who have posted just a .688 OPS since the All-Star break. Additionally, the Phillies plan to move to a six-man rotation once they activate Nola, which will help keep him and the rest of Philadelphia's starters well rested for the stretch run.

Assad is slated to start Sunday's game against the Pirates at Wrigley Field, Maddie Lee of the Chicago Sun-Times reports.

Assad had spent the entire season on the shelf while recovering from a left oblique strain before he returned from the 60-day injured list to start Tuesday's game against the Blue Jays. The right-hander endured a rough 2025 debut, taking a loss while allowing four earned runs on eight hits and one walk over four innings. Though Assad will be in line for at least one more start Sunday, his stay in the big-league rotation could soon come to an end with Jameson Taillon (calf) tracking toward a return from the injured list next week.

Blackburn (shoulder) struck out three and gave up two earned runs on one hit and one walk over five innings of relief in Wednesday's 11-6 loss to Atlanta.

Activated from the 15-day injured list early in the day after he had been on the shelf since July 3 due to a shoulder impingement, Blackburn was needed for some length out of the bullpen right away when starter David Peterson recorded just 10 outs on 80 pitches (48 strikes). Blackburn had been fully built up as a starter during his minor-league rehab stint, so he was well equipped to handle the heavy workload in relief. With New York moving Frankie Montas to the bullpen to clear a spot in the rotation, Nolan McLean will be called up from Triple-A Syracuse this weekend to serve as the team's new fifth starter. If McLean falters, Blackburn could be next in line to join the rotation.

Atlanta designated Carrasco for assignment Thursday.

Atlanta appears set to proceed with Hurston Waldrep and Erick Fedde as its back-end rotation options after DFA'ing Carrasco, who allowed 15 earned runs on 22 hits and seven walks over 13.2 innings across his three starts with the club upon being acquired from the Yankees on July 28. Once he clears waivers, the 38-year-old right-hander could elect free agency in pursuit of an opportunity elsewhere, but it's possible that his time as a big-league pitcher may be over.

Dollander is slated to start Saturday's game against the Diamondbacks at Coors Field.

Following a month-long stay in the minors, Dollander made his return to the big leagues Monday, joining the rotation as the team's new No. 5 starter in place of Anthony Molina. The rookie right-hander delivered an excellent performance in a no-decision on the road against the Cardinals, striking out five and allowing one run on five hits and three walks over five innings. He showcased premium velocity in the start, registering at least 98 miles per hour on 45 of his 60 strikes across 92 total pitches. Even after the impressive showing in St. Louis, Dollander still owns a 6.35 ERA, 1.56 WHIP and 57:36 K:BB in 73.2 innings. The 23-year-old doesn't yet profile as a reliable fantasy option, especially heading into his next start in hitter-friendly Colorado.

Peterson pitched 3.1 innings in a no-decision against Atlanta on Wednesday, allowing six runs on five hits and five walks while striking out five batters.

The Mets staked Peterson to a 6-0 lead through two innings, but it didn't take long for the lefty to give all those runs back. He got through three scoreless frames before completely imploding in the fourth, allowing six of the seven batters he faced in that inning to reach base, including four by walk. All six of those hitters came around to score, resulting in a season-worst run total by Peterson. The five free passes also tied a season-high mark, and the 3.1 frames were the fewest Peterson has completed in an outing this year. After giving up two or fewer runs in five consecutive starts from July 3 to Aug. 1, Peterson has now yielded 10 earned runs over 9.1 innings across his past two appearances.

Carrasco allowed six runs on six hits and three walks while striking out two batters over two innings in a no-decision against the Mets on Wednesday.

Facing the team he pitched for from 2021 to 2023, Carrasco was unable to reach the third frame. The Mets got to him for three runs in each of the first two innings, with the biggest blow being a Juan Soto two-run homer. Carrasco needed 67 pitches -- only 36 of which were strikes -- to retire six batters, and he gave up four extra-base hits. After notching a quality start against the Reds in his Atlanta debut July 31, the veteran righty has surrendered 12 runs over 7.2 innings in his subsequent two outings. His season ERA now stands at 7.09 across 45.2 frames between Atlanta and the Yankees, and it's fair to wonder how much the 38-year-old has left in the tank.

Horton (7-3) earned the win Wednesday against the Blue Jays, allowing one run on one hit and two walks in 5.2 innings. He struck out eight.

Horton opened his outing with five hitless frames, and he ultimately set a season best in hits allowed. The eight strikeouts also established a season high, and the rookie right-hander has now thrown at least five innings while surrendering one run or fewer in five consecutive starts. Horton has a sparkling 1.13 ERA, 0.88 WHIP and 34:13 K:BB over 40 innings since the start of July, though he'll face a tough assignment at home versus the surging Brewers for his next scheduled appearance.

Perez (5-3) earned the win against the Guardians on Wednesday, allowing four runs on three hits and eight strikeouts over five innings.

Perez allowed just four baserunners, but all came around to score on home runs in the first and fourth innings. He was otherwise excellent, generating 17 whiffs on 91 pitches while matching his season-high with eight strikeouts. While the 22-year-old has surrendered five homers and nine earned runs over his past two starts, he still owns a 3.58 ERA, 0.98 WHIP and 60:20 K:BB across 60.1 innings this year. He's slated for a home matchup with the Cardinals early next week.

Taillon (calf) tossed 5.1 scoreless innings in a rehab start for Triple-A Iowa on Wednesday, allowing two hits and two walks while striking out four.

Taillon looked sharp and built up to 84 pitches in what was the third and final start of his rehab assignment at Iowa. Cubs manager Craig Counsell has already confirmed that Taillon will be activated from the 15-day injured list to make his next start with the Cubs, likely for one half of the doubleheader with the red-hot Brewers on Monday at Wrigley Field. Before landing on the shelf July 4 due to a right calf strain, Taillon went 7-6 with a 4.44 ERA, 1.11 WHIP and 74:20 K:BB in 95.1 innings.