MLB Player News

Strasburg (hand) visited a nerve specialist and was diagnosed with carpal tunnel neuritis, Brittany Ghiroli of The Athletic reports.

The 32-year-old has been battling the nerve issue in his right hand all season, and the specific cause has now been determined. Strasburg and the team will determine the next step in his recovery, with surgery being one potential option. He doesn't have an official timeline for his return, but he's unlikely to be retaking the mound in the immediate future and could be lost for the season.

The Brewers added Ashby to their 60-man roster pool Wednesday.

A 2018 fourth-round pick, Ashby split the 2019 campaign between Low-A Wisconsin and High-A Carolina, compiling a 3.50 ERA, 1.28 WHIP and 135:60 K:BB in 126 frames. The 22-year-old lefty likely won't be on the short list for a promotion to the big club in 2020, but an assignment to the Brewers' alternate site in Appleton will at least allow him to regularly face hitters in simulated games after the minor-league season was cancelled.

Quantrill won't start Friday's game against the Astros and will be available out of the bullpen this weekend, 97.3 The Fan reports.

The 25-year-old allowed one run over 3.2 innings during his start last Saturday, but he was twice utilized out of the bullpen this week to record one out -- including his first career save -- and he will continue to be deployed as a reliever. Manager Jayce Tingler said the team values Quantrill's versatility and trusts him in pretty much any spot, so it appears his role will shift as necessary throughout the season. Tingler also indicated the right-hander could make another start if he doesn't make a relief appearance within the next couple days.

Gausman (1-1) earned the win Thursday against the Angels. He allowed four runs on nine hits and a walk while fanning eight across 5.1 innings.

Gausman didn't have his best stuff and has now allowed three or more runs in four of his last six starts, pushing his ERA up to 4.65. However, the Giants' offense backed him with 10 runs, and that allowed the 29-year-old to notch his first win of the season. Gausman will try to build off this performance in his next scheduled start against the Dodgers on Aug. 26.

Woodruff (1-2) was tagged with the loss in Thursday's loss to Minnesota, throwing five innings and allowing two runs on nine hits and one walk while striking out three.

Woodruff retired the first six batters he faced but ran into trouble in the third inning when a triple and a single accounted for the first run against him. He gave up six more hits between the fourth and fifth frames but managed to escape without yielding any additional run thanks to an outfield assist and a double play. The right-hander came back out for the sixth but was pulled after allowing the first two runners to reach base, one of which eventually came around to score. Collectively, Woodruff allowed a season high in hits (nine) while tallying a season-low three strikeouts and failing to get through six innings for the third straight start. He'll look to rebound in a home appearance against Cincinnati on Tuesday.

Gray took a no-decision during Thursday's loss to the Cardinals, allowing a pair of runs on four hits across six innings. He walked four and struck out six.

It wasn't the best start for the 30-year-old, who had given up one earned run or less in four of his first five starts this season. Even still, Gray whiffed six batters and refrained from serving up any home runs. He left the game with the lead, but unfortunately the bullpen could not hold on. The right-hander currently ranks second in the majors in strikeouts (51) and is tied for third in quality starts (5). Next up, Gray heads to Milwaukee for a Wednesday contest against the Brewers.

Wainwright did not factor into the decision against the Reds on Thursday, allowing four runs (two earned) on six hits while striking out four across seven innings.

Two costly defensive errors by Paul Goldschmidt and Brad Miller caused a pair of runs to score in the first inning, putting the Cardinals in an early deficit. Wainwright then gave up a home run to Freddy Galvis in the second, and an RBI double to Mike Moustakas in the third. The right-hander was poised for the loss when he left the game after the seventh, but luckily his offense came through to save him in the end. Wainwright was making only his third start of the season thanks to a 17-day layoff following the Cardinals' COVID-19 outbreak. He'll take on Kansas City on Tuesday.

Kershaw (3-1) picked up the win in Thursday's 6-1 victory over the Mariners, allowing one run on four hits and a walk over seven innings. He struck out a season-high 11.

It was a vintage Kershaw performance, as the lefty fired 63 of 96 pitches for strikes en route to his second straight quality start. He did serve up his fifth homer in 24 innings, a fourth-inning solo shot by Kyle Seager, but if he can keep the bases clear the long ball tendencies that have cropped up in recent seasons won't hurt him too badly. Kershaw will carry a 2.25 ERA and 29:4 K:BB into his next outing Wednesday in San Francisco.

Williams (1-4) took the loss Thursday as the Pirates were downed 2-0 by Cleveland, allowing one run on six hits and two walks over four innings. He struck out five.

It was a solid, if inefficient, performance -- Williams needed 90 pitches (52 strikes) to record 12 outs -- but with Shane Bieber on the mound for the opposition, he had no margin for error. Despite his poor record, Williams has a respectable 3.70 ERA and 23:8 K:BB through 24.1 innings, and he'll look for more support from his offense in his next outing Wednesday, on the road against the White Sox.

Velasquez allowed four earned runs on five hits and two walks while striking out seven across five innings in the second game of the Phillies' doubleheader Thursday against the Blue Jays. He did not factor into the decision.

Velasquez allowed two home runs that accounted for three of the four runs against him. However, he was sharp in between, punching out a season-high seven batters while also turning in his longest outing of the campaign. Velasquez has made three of his four appearances this season as a starter, though without doubleheaders and the need for an extra starter, he will likely be relegated to a bulk-inning relief role for the time being.