MLB Player News

Gray (7-9) took the loss Sunday against the Giants after allowing three runs on seven hits and a walk while fanning five across 4.1 innings.

Gray couldn't escape the fifth inning for the second straight outing and has given up at least three runs in three appearances in a row. He has taken a loss in each of those outings and owns a 4.95 ERA across three starts this month.

Eflin (kneecap) completed a 28-pitch live batting practice session Sunday, Matt Breen of The Philadelphia Inquirer reports.

After throwing a pair of bullpen sessions earlier in the week, Eflin took the next step forward in his recovery from right patella tendinitis by facing hitters. The Phillies will presumably check back in with Eflin on Monday before deciding whether to send him out on a minor-league rehab assignment or to keep him around the big club and have him build up his pitch count through simulated games. Whenever he's reinstated, Eflin will likely bump Matt Moore from the Philadelphia rotation.

Cardinals manager Mike Shildt said Sunday that he expects Mikolas (forearm) to return from the 60-day injured list during the upcoming week to make his next start with St. Louis, Jim Hayes of Bally Sports Midwest reports.

St. Louis hasn't finalized the rotation for its six-game week beyond naming Adam Wainwright and Jack Flaherty as the starters for the first two games of the series with Milwaukee on Tuesday and Wednesday, respectively, but Mikolas could be a candidate to take the hill for Thursday's finale with the Brewers. He would be available to start on his normal four days' rest after he covered seven innings while giving up three earned runs and striking out eight Saturday at Triple-A Memphis in what marked the fifth outing of his rehab assignment. If St. Louis elects to give Mikolas an extra day or two to recover from the 86-pitch rehab start, he would draw a more favorable matchup during St. Louis' series with Pittsburgh next weekend.

Nola (7-7) allowed four runs on six hits and three walks while striking out four in 4.1 innings to take the loss against the Reds on Sunday.

Nola's outing got off to a rough start when he gave up a leadoff home run to Jonathan India, and he ultimately allowed runs in three of the first five innings. As a result, the right-hander was tagged with the loss after he had settled for no-decisions in each of his last three starts. Nola now has a 1-2 record since the All-Star break, and he's recorded a 4.32 ERA and 1.02 WHIP in 33.1 innings during that time. He tentatively lines up to take the mound on the road against San Diego on Saturday.

Gallen (1-7) allowed four earned runs on eight hits and three walks while striking out five across five innings, taking the loss to the Padres on Sunday.

All of Gallen's runs allowed came via the long ball, including two solo home runs by Fernando Tatis. Gallen has struggled with preventing homers, surrendering eight over his last five starts. The 25-year-old has a 5.03 ERA, nearly double the ERA of his previous two seasons. His only win this year came on April 25. However, he is still consistently striking opponents out at a 10.7 K/9 rate through 73.1 innings this season.

Lauer allowed one run on three hits and struck out six across four innings in a no-decision versus Pittsburgh on Sunday.

After missing a week and a half while on the COVID-19 injured list, Lauer's return to action was fairly short. He threw 49 of 72 pitches for strikes before Brent Suter relieved him. Lauer continues to have the upper hand over the Pirates, as he's allowed just three runs in 18.1 innings in four appearances versus the Brewers' NL Central rivals. The southpaw owns a 3.44 ERA, 1.21 WHIP and 73:26 K:BB across 73.1 innings overall. He's projected to make his next start versus Washington next weekend.

Gray allowed three runs on four hits and three walks while striking out two in 4.2 innings in Sunday's win over the Phillies. He didn't factor into the decision.

Gray has been inconsistent recently, as he's allowed at least three runs in four of his six starts since the All-Star break. The right-hander began Sunday's game with three scoreless frames but gave up three runs across the fourth and fifth innings. Across his last six outings, Gray has posted a 7.22 ERA and 1.60 WHIP in 28.2 innings. He tentatively lines up to make his next appearance at home against the Marlins on Friday.

Smyly allowed three runs on six hits and a walk while striking out four in four innings during Sunday's win over the Nationals. He didn't factor into the decision.

Smyly picked up his first win in over a month with a quality start in his last outing, but he was unable to replicate his success Sunday. Although he allowed just one baserunner in the first two innings, he gave up three runs in the third inning to tie the game. The southpaw has allowed at least two runs in five of his six appearances since the All-Star break, and he's posted a 4.55 ERA and 1.45 WHIP in 27.2 innings during that time. He tentatively lines up to start on the road against Baltimore on Saturday.

The Diamondbacks officially placed Kelly on the COVID-19 injured list Sunday.

Manager Torey Lovullo disclosed after Saturday's win over the Padres that Kelly had tested positive for the coronavirus, so the right-hander's move to the IL a day later was fully expected. Arizona recalled Sean Poppen from Triple-A Reno to provide a fresh arm out of the bullpen in the short term, but the team has yet to appoint a replacement in the rotation for Kelly, who will likely be sidelined for at least a week and a half while he waits to clear health and safety protocols.

The Padres placed Darvish (back) on the 10-day injured list Sunday, Bob Scanlan of Bally Sports San Diego reports.

As anticipated, Darvish will be forced to miss at least one more turn through the rotation after a bout with lower-back tightness cut his most recent outing Thursday against the Diamondbacks short. The banged-up San Diego pitching staff has few reinforcements on hand to replace Darvish, but Reiss Knehr -- who was recalled from Triple-A El Paso in a corresponding move -- could be one candidate to pick up a spot start while the reigning National League Cy Young Award runner-up is sidelined.