MLB Player News

Fried improved to 7-5 after tossing seven shutout innings Saturday in Atlanta's 9-0 win over Tampa Bay. He scattered four hits and a walk and struck out seven in the 96-pitch outing.

Fried did it all in his first start of the second half, silencing the Tampa Bay bats over seven innings while helping his own cause by going 3-for-3 with a double, two runs and two RBI. The southpaw has already endured two stints on the injured list this season, but he's now one of the few healthy members of an Atlanta rotation that has been gutted by injuries in recent weeks. In addition to Fried, Drew Smyly and Charlie Morton are the only members of the Opening Day rotation that are currently active.

Castillo tossed six scoreless innings, allowing five hits and three walks with eight strikeouts Saturday against Milwaukee. He did not factor into the decision.

Castillo turned in his sixth quality start in his last seven outings, logging his best strikeout total since May 18 in the process. A lack of run support kept his record at a dismal 2-10, but Castillo has completely turned his season around since the start of June, spinning a 1.76 ERA with 56 strikeouts in 56.1 innings over his last nine starts. He's slated to take on the Cardinals next week.

Woodruff went 5.2 innings, allowing two runs (one earned) on two hits and four walks in a no-decision against the Reds on Saturday. He struck out eight.

Woodruff struggled with walks, issuing a season-high four free passes, but still limited the Reds to a pair of runs in the second inning, only one of which was earned. Woodruff is winless (0-1) in his first three July starts but still owns a sterling 2.04 ERA and 0.83 WHIP in 119 innings overall this season, posting a 137:29 K:BB ratio. He's tentatively scheduled for a home start next week against the White Sox.

Freeland (1-4) allowed three earned runs on six hits while striking out four across six innings, taking the loss to the Dodgers on Saturday.

Freeland provided a quality start, but the Rockies could not support him with enough runs to win. He allowed two doubles and a home run to Mookie Betts, which led to most of the runs scored against him. After a rough start, he's allowed just six runs over his last 28 innings pitched. The 28-year-old has a 5.36 ERA and a 1.58 WHIP in 48.2 innings.

Small was placed on the 7-day injured list at Triple-A Nashville on Friday with an undisclosed injury.

It's not clear at this point what Small is dealing with, but he'll be on the shelf until at least next Friday. The left-hander has allowed just two earned runs across 14.2 innings in his three starts since being promoted to Nashville on June 22. Despite his success, Small was already viewed as a long shot to get a big-league callup this season. Given that he's now out with injury, the southpaw seems even more likely to remain in the minors through the end of the campaign.

Megill went six scoreless innings against Pittsburgh on Saturday, allowing six hits and striking out a pair in a no-decision.

Megill appeared to be on his way to his first win of the season, turning a 4-0 lead over to the bullpen, but the Pirates erupted for nine runs over the final two innings, leaving Megill without a decision in his first five major-league starts. The 25-year-old produced his longest outing to date and while his two strikeouts were a season low, it was his first appearance without issuing a free pass. Megill now owns a 2.63 ERA and 1.21 in 24 innings, along with a 28:9 K:BB.

Manager David Bell said following Saturday's loss to the Brewers that Lorenzen exited the game because of a "hamstring-related injury," Charlie Goldsmith of The Cincinnati Enquirer reports.

Lorenzen made his long-awaited return from a shoulder strain, making his first appearance of the season when he entered in the top of the eighth inning. After allowing a hit and a walk during a scoreless frame, the right-hander stayed in the game by moving to the outfield. He scored a run in the 11th inning, but he hurt his hamstring while running the bases. Bell said the club is hoping he'll be able to avoid another trip to the injured list, and that it will have a better idea of his status after he's looked at again Sunday. Lorenzen can be considered day-to-day until a further update is given.

Buehler (10-1) allowed two earned runs on four hits and two walks while striking out eight across seven innings, earning the win over the Rockies on Saturday.

Buehler allowed a pair of doubles that led to two runs against him. However, he provided another solid performance for his 16th quality start of the season, leading all of baseball. The 26-year-old has allowed just five earned runs over his last four starts. He carries a 2.37 ERA and a 0.91 WHIP with 122 strikeouts in 121.1 innings. His next start is scheduled Thursday against the Giants.

Gomber (forearm) said Saturday that he feels ready to rejoin the Rockies' rotation even if he's not fully stretched out during his first start back, Thomas Harding of MLB.com reports. Gomber tossed 62 pitches while allowing three runs on five hits across four innings during his rehab start with Triple-A Albuquerque on Friday.

Gomber will likely be limited to 70-85 pitches in his next outing, whether that comes with the big club or in another rehab outing. The southpaw said he feels "ready to pitch (in the majors) again," but the Rockies have not yet determined where he'll make his next outing. Gomber was pitching very well prior to landing on the IL with forearm tightness June 20, posting a 1.62 ERA and 42:3 K:BB across his past eight starts. If the club does indeed activate him for his next start, he would likely take the ball at some point next weekend against the Dodgers.

Velasquez pitched five shutout innings, allowing one hit and two walks while striking out four in a no-decision versus Miami on Saturday. The contest was suspended due to rain in the 10th inning.

Velasquez pitched well enough to win, but Ranger Suarez blew the save in the ninth inning by allowing a two-run home run to Jesus Aguilar. Despite the positive outing Saturday, Velasquez hasn't shown much consistency on the mound lately. He has a 5.00 ERA, 1.38 WHIP and 81:42 K:BB across 77.1 innings. The 29-year-old lines up for a home start versus Atlanta during next weekend's four-game series.