MLB Player News

Martinez (illness) is expected to throw a bullpen session Thursday, at which point the Cardinals will have more of an expected timeline for his return, Derrick Goold of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch reports.

The right-hander recently officially confirmed he's been sidelined with the coronavirus, and he, along with several other teammates that were also infected in the team's recent outbreak, all appear to be working their way back to full health. How well Martinez's arm tolerates Thursday's workload should help clarify his approximate return date, and Goold notes it's possible the veteran, who was effective as a closer last season, logs some initial appearances as a reliever while his arm is built back up.

Williams is slated to start Thursday's game against the Indians.

Williams will be making his fifth start of the season for the Pirates. Through four turns, Williams is 1-3 with a 3.98 ERA and 1.23 WHIP.

Lopez gave up two runs on seven hits and a walk while striking out five in 6.1 innings Wednesday. He did not factor in the decision.

Lopez had another very solid outing Wednesday night as he generated his second consecutive quality start. However, the offense behind him was unable to touch Jacob deGrom as Lopez came up empty trying to grab his fourth win of the season. The 24-year-old right-hander has not allowed more than two runs in a start year as his 2.42 ERA ranks just outside the top 15 among starting pitchers. Lopez currently lines up to face the Nationals on Sunday as he looks to complete his two-start week with a win.

DeGrom allowed just four hits and struck out seven through six shutout innings Wednesday against the Marlins. He did not factor in the decision.

DeGrom put himself in good position to pick up his third consecutive win Wednesday after firing six dominant innings but his day was spoiled after the Mets' bullpen squandered another late lead. The reigning NL Cy Young winner owns an impressive 1.93 ERA and 35:5 K:BB through 28 innings pitched. He is scheduled to take the mound again Tuesday in what will be his third consecutive start against the Marlins.

Cueto (2-0) earned the win Wednesday against the Angels. He gave up two runs on four hits and one walk while fanning eight across 5.2 innings.

Cueto has allowed two or fewer runs in four of his six starts this season. The 34-year-old also posted a season-high mark for strikeouts with eight, and he reduced his ERA to 4.35 with a 1.13 WHIP in 31 innings across six starts in 2020. He gets the Dodgers at home in his next start scheduled for Aug. 25.

Kelly (3-2) took the loss to the Athletics on Wednesday. He allowed four runs on five hits, two walks and a hit batsman while striking out seven over five innings.

Kelly's streak of quality starts ended at four, as the Athletics' hitters knew immediately the right-hander wasn't sharp and made him grind though 99 pitches. Still, he managed to fan seven batters. His ERA, a tidy 1.71 to start the night, increased to a still-good 2.59 after the outing. Kelly lines up next to start Monday at home against Colorado.

Urias did not factor into the decision during Wednesday's loss to the Mariners, allowing one run on four hits and a walk while striking out five across 1.2 innings.

After pitching into the seventh inning during his last start against the Padres, Urias failed to provide the same length for the Dodgers on Wednesday. The southpaw needed 34 pitches to get through the first inning, though he did punch out five of his 10 batters faced. After another 18 pitches into the second frame, Urias was replaced with reliever Dennis Santana. The 24-year-old, who owns a 2.74 ERA and 1.26 WHIP, will look to iron out his efficiency Tuesday at San Francisco.

Flaherty gave up one run on one hit and two walks over 1.2 innings during Game 1 of Wednesday's doubleheader against the Cubs. He had three strikeouts and did not qualify for the decision.

The right-hander's first start since the Cardinals resumed play last weekend was a short one, as the team limited him to 41 pitches in his first game action since July 24. Flaherty should continue to get stretched out toward his usual workload, but it figures to take a few starts following the multi-week hiatus. The 24-year-old's next outing lines up for Monday versus the Royals.

Paddack did not factor into the decision during Wednesday's win over the Rangers, allowing one run on four hits and a pair of walks while striking out five across six innings.

Aside from serving up a solo home run to Rougned Odor in the second inning, Paddack kept the Rangers in check. The 24-year-old, who has struggled with a weaker fastball this year, was coming off a rough start against the Dodgers last time out, so it was nice to see him rebound. He'll carry a 4.26 ERA and 1.14 WHIP into next week's matchup against Seattle.

Matz was removed from the starting rotation and will be available out of the bullpen for Thursday's game against the Marlins, Tim Healey of Newsday reports.

The Mets left the southpaw's status in the rotation up in the air coming out of his ugly outing Saturday, and he'll move to the bullpen rather than start Thursday. Seth Lugo will take his spot in the rotation, though Matz could still see work Thursday since Lugo isn't close to being stretched out as a starter. Matz has surrendered 23 runs on 30 hits, including nine homers, through 23 innings this season.