MLB Player News

Fried (back) was reinstated from the 10-day injured list Thursday.

Fried was named Friday's starter after a short stint on the injured list with back spasms. The southpaw experienced a drop in velocity over his past two starts and faces a tough matchup against the Mets in his return to the mound.

Matz will start Friday's game at home against Atlanta, Justin Toscano of The Bergen Record reports.

Matz was reinstated from the 10-day injured list Sunday after recovering from shoulder discomfort and hasn't pitched since. He was transitioned to a bullpen role prior to heading to the injured list, but he'll return to the mound to make a spot start for the series opener against Atlanta. The southpaw has an 0-4 record with an 8.63 ERA and 1.50 WHIP over 24 innings this season.

Wacha allowed one run on five hits with three strikeouts and zero walks over four innings out of the bullpen Wednesday against the Phillies.

The 29-year-old figured to be in the mix to start this weekend against the Braves, but he worked in long relief Wednesday with Jacob deGrom (hamstring) pitching only two innings. It was Wacha's best outing of the season since he gave up one run across five frames during his season debut.

Peterson will start Saturday's game against the Braves, Tim Healey of Newsday reports.

The 25-year-old previously lined up to start Friday's series opener, but the Mets wanted to provided him an extra rest day. Peterson has a 4.17 ERA, 1.31 WHIP and 26:19 K:BB through 36.2 innings this season. Steven Matz is set to start Friday's contest.

Oviedo was optioned to the alternate training site Thursday, Jeff Jones of the Belleville News-Democrat reports.

Oviedo covered 5.1 innings and gave up six runs (five earned) to take the loss in Game 2 of Wednesday's doubleheader against the Brewers, and he'll head to the alternate site with the Cardinals scheduled for another twin bill Friday. The 22-year-old has a 5.47 ERA, 1.38 WHIP and 16:10 K:BB over 24.2 innings, and he could rejoin the team next week to pitch in the doubleheader Sept. 25.

The Brewers optioned Lauer to their alternate training site Thursday.

After serving as the 29th man in Wednesday's doubleheader with the Cardinals, Lauer was bounced off the roster with Milwaukee reducing its contingent to 28 men ahead of their series with the Royals that begins Friday. The southpaw went unused out of the bullpen in both halves of the twin bill.

The Braves will activate Fried (back) from the 10-day injured list to start Friday's game against the Mets, Gabriel Burns of The Atlanta Journal-Constitution reports.

As anticipated, Fried's bout with back spasms proved to be only a minor concern, as he'll end up spending just over the minimum amount of time on the IL. Prior to getting shut down, Fried noticed a steep downturn in velocity over his previous two starts, so fantasy managers in shallower leagues may not want to activate him right away while he takes on a Mets offense that ranks first in the majors this season with a 124 wRC+.

Wheeler allowed three runs on seven hits (one home run) while striking out two across 7.1 innings Wednesday against the Mets. He did not factor into the decision.

Wheeler was incredibly efficient Wednesday as he went a season-high 7.1 innings while throwing 68 of his 95 pitches for strikes. The only major damage the right-hander gave up was a two-run shot to J.D. Davis in the sixth to cut the Phillies' lead to 4-3. Wheeler unfortunately wasn't able to get the win after the Phillies blew their sixth lead this season when up by three or more runs but he has made a great 1-2 punch at the top of the rotation with Aaron Nola with a 2.62 ERA and 1.08 WHIP across 58.1 innings. He figures to take the mound Monday in a matchup with the Nationals.

Kelly (shoulder) said he should begin throwing in late November or early December, Nick Piecoro of the Arizona Republic reports.

Kelly underwent surgery for thoracic outlet syndrome last week and is optimistic after talking with medical experts. He also spoke with Orioles right-hander Alex Cobb, who had the same procedure and said he's had no issues since. Kelly expects to be ready by spring training.

Rogers allowed one run on three hits and two walks while striking out three across three innings Wednesday against the Red Sox. He did not factor into the decision.

Rogers got off to a rough start as he allowed the first two batters of the game to reach before picking up three consecutive outs to escape the inning. He later found himself in a similar scenario in the third and couldn't get out of it cleanly as J.D. Martinez drove Alex Verdugo home on a sac fly to right. Despite needing 76 pitches to get through three innings, it was a solid bounce-back performance from Rogers after he got shelled for nine runs against the Phillies last Friday. The 22-year-old has a 6.00 ERA along with a 29:10 K:BB across 21 innings and is set to take the mound Monday against the division-leading Braves.