MLB Player News

Cubs manager David Ross said Saturday that Quintana (thumb) is "pretty much ready to return" and that the team is in the process of figuring out where he fits in, Jesse Rogers of ESPN.com reports.

Quintana has been rehabbing since early July after he underwent microscopic surgery to repair a left thumb laceration. It was originally presumed that he would start out of the bullpen upon being activated after the Cubs' starting rotation got off to a blistering start to the season. However, with Tyler Chatwood (back) still not cleared to return and Alec Mills coming back down to earth (six earned runs in 3.2 innings Wednesday), Quintana may have a shot at returning to the rotation after all. The southpaw is currently one of four options to start Tuesday's game in Detroit as Ross has yet to confirm a starter for that day. If Quintana does receive the starting nod Tuesday, he would likely face a limited workload after tossing only two innings (28 pitches) in his most recent simulated game Friday.

Irvin was optioned to the Phillies' alternate training site Saturday, Meghan Montemurro of The Athletic reports.

Irvin struggled in his relief appearance Friday, allowing three runs on four hits and one walk while striking out three over 1.2 innings. He'll now return to secondary camp after the Phillies recently acquired several relievers to bolster their bullpen. Given the team's revamped pitching staff, it's unclear whether Irvin will return to the majors at some point in 2020.

Strasburg (hand) was transferred to the Nationals' 60-day injured list Saturday, effectively ending his 2020 season, Brittany Ghiroli of The Athletic reports.

This announcement comes just a week after Strasburg was placed on the 10-day injured list with carpal tunnel neuritis. The 2019 World Series MVP has been dealing with the nerve issue in his right hand since the season began and will now be forced to miss the remainder of 2020 after making just two starts. In a corresponding move, the Nationals have purchased the contract of Wil Crowe, who will make his first major-league start during the second half of Saturday's doubleheader against the Marlins.

Rea worked two innings out of the bullpen Friday in the Cubs' 10-1 loss to the White Sox, giving up a run on two hits while striking out two.

Rea's previous appearance came as a starter last weekend versus Milwaukee, when he joined the rotation on short notice after Tyler Chatwood (back) was placed on the 10-day injured list. Jose Quintana (thumb) looks on track to return from the IL during the upcoming week to assume Chatwood's rotation spot moving forward, so Rea will likely stick around in the bullpen as a multi-inning option. Chicago will have doubleheaders coming up next week and in the first week of September that may result in the team temporarily adding a sixth member to the rotation, but manager David Ross may prefer to give Adbert Alzolay a spot start over Rea after Alzolay tossed five scoreless frames against the Cardinals on Wednesday in his 2020 debut.

Nola (2-2) allowed four runs on six hits -- including two home runs -- and three walks while striking out three batters in 2.2 innings in a loss to the Braves on Friday.

Nola had some trouble finding the strike zone Friday, and when he did, the Braves took advantage. His three walks and six hits were the most he's allowed in a start this season, and his three strikeouts represent a season low. Nola has a tough road matchup coming up next against the Nationals.

Houser (1-2) allowed four runs on nine hits and one walk while striking out three over seven innings as he was charged with the loss Friday against the Pirates.

Houser only gave up one run over his first two starts this season, but he's been less effective in his three starts since. He allowed a season-high 10 baserunners Friday as the Brewers' pitching staff was unable to quell Pittsburgh's offense. The right-hander carries a 3.72 ERA and 1.24 WHIP over 29 innings across five starts this season. He'll attempt to get back into the win column at home Wednesday against the Reds.

Fried (4-0) allowed just one run on five hits and two walks while striking out five across five innings as he earned the win Friday over the Phillies.

Fried continued his dominant stretch on the mound to begin the season as the 2012 first-round pick has now given up one run or fewer in five of his six starts. Fried is currently third in MLB with a 1.32 ERA and has solidified himself as the ace of the rotation with Mike Soroka (Achilles) done for the year.

Anderson will likely make his big-league debut in the next couple of weeks, Gabriel Burns of The Atlanta Journal-Constitution reports. "He's throwing real well," manager Brian Snitker said Friday. "He had another good outing yesterday. I came into this whole year thinking we'd see Ian Anderson at some point this year. I thought that in February and March before we broke this thing down. I think there's still a good chance we're going to see him."

Atlanta's rotation has been gutted by injuries and pitchers getting jettisoned due to poor performances, and both Kyle Wright and Bryse Wilson were recently sent back to the team's alternate training site after failing to secure a regular spot. Anderson could be the next man up, but with scheduled off days coming Monday and Thursday, the team doesn't need a fifth starter at the moment. The 22-year-old's next chance to slot into the existing rotation would come Sept. 1 in Boston, but Anderson could also bump aside one of the long relievers holding down the fort before then.

Webb (2-2) earned the win Friday against the Diamondbacks after tossing seven innings, allowing two runs on five hits and striking out eight.

Webb posted a season-high mark for strikeouts and managed to bounce back after a shaky outing in his previous start, when he walked five in just 4.1 innings. Webb has a 8.6 K/9 this season but is also issuing 3.6 BB/9, so he should post even better numbers if he finds a way to limit the walks. He seems to be trending in the right direction, walking one or fewer in three of his last four starts.

Buehler (1-0) earned the win Friday over the Rockies. He tossed six innings of one-run ball, allowing four hits and striking out 11.

Buehler recorded double-digit strikeouts for the eighth time in his career -- he hadn't accomplished this feat since Sept. 10 last year when he fanned 11 in a 7-3 win at Baltimore. Buehler hasn't looked convincing this season, but he has allowed two or fewer runs in three of five starts while posting a 10.1 K/9 in 25 innings across his first five outings.