MLB Player News

Velasquez allowed two runs on two hits and one walk in one inning pitched during Thursday's loss to the Orioles.

Velasquez was considered an option to start Friday's game against the Mets but that nod appears to be going to Spencer Howard after Velasquez entered Thursday's game in the eighth inning. The right-hander was able to strike out the lone batter he faced in the sixth inning, but he gave up a two-run double to Jose Iglesias in the seventh. It's unclear how the Phillies plan on using Velasquez in the coming days, although he remains a candidate to start one of the games during the doubleheader against the Blue Jays on Aug. 20.

Lorenzen threw 3.1 scoreless innings in Thursday's loss to the Pirates, allowing just one hit while striking out two.

This was Lorenzen's first outing since getting blown up by the Brewers on Sunday, and just his second appearance in eight in which he didn't allow a run. He and Cody Reed combined for six innings after Anthony DeSclafani allowed nine runs over two innings, saving the rest of the bullpen.

Urias (2-0) earned the win against San Diego on Thursday, pitching 6.1 innings and allowing two runs on five hits while striking out three. He did not issue any walks.

Urias got off to a shaky start in the contest, allowing a pair of first-inning solo home runs. However, he settled in the rest of the way, holding San Diego scoreless while the Dodgers' offense provided plenty of support and helped him cruise to his second win. Urias succeeded by tossing first-pitch strikes to 17 of the 24 batters he faced and throwing 57 of 86 pitches for strikes overall. The southpaw sports a 2.53 ERA and 1.13 WHIP through his first four starts and has not yielded more than two runs in any outing thus far. He'll try to continue his success when he heads to Seattle take on the Mariners on Wednesday in his next scheduled start.

Paddack (2-2) lasted only three innings against the Dodgers on Thursday, allowing six runs on six hits and one walk while striking out one and taking the loss.

Paddack exited after throwing only 52 pitches, the lowest total of his young career. He was hit hard in the brief outing, giving up a pair of home runs in the first inning and another in the second. In total, five of LA's six hits against the Padres ace went for extra bases, and he managed only one punchout on the night. The right-hander's ERA ballooned to 4.91 with the tough outing, and his WHIP now stands at 1.17. Paddack will try to get back on the right track in his next scheduled start Tuesday in Texas.

Darvish (3-1) earned the win Thursday over the Brewers with seven innings of one-run ball. He allowed just one hit and two walks while striking out 11.

Darvish was in cruise control and had a no-hitter going into the seventh inning. Justin Smoak ruined Darvish's no-hit and shutout bids with a solo home run, but it was still a dominating effort for the righty, who has now earned the win in his last three outings. Darvish will take a 1.88 ERA and 27:4 K:BB across 24 innings into his next start, which is scheduled for Tuesday against St. Louis, though the Cardinals haven't played since July 29 due to a coronavirus outbreak within the organization. If Darvish gets pushed back, he'll likely pitch against the White Sox sometime next weekend.

Kaminsky will be called up to the 28-man roster when the Cardinals' season resumes following their COVID-19 outbreak, Jeff Jones of the Belleville News-Democrat reports.

With the Cardinals hoping to resume their season with a doubleheader against the White Sox on Saturday, Kaminsky is among those who will fill the roster spots left empty by the team's virus outbreak. Kaminsky could make his big-league debut as soon as Saturday with the Cardinals utilizing a bullpen game in the second half of the doubleheader.

Wainwright will start the first game of Saturday's doubleheader against the White Sox, assuming the team is cleared to resume play following its COVID-19 outbreak, Jeff Jones of the Belleville News-Democrat reports.

There's still a lot that has to go right for the Cardinals to be cleared to resume their season Saturday, but if they are indeed given the green light to play, the Redbirds will hand the ball to their veteran right-hander. St. Louis will go with a bullpen game for the second half of the doubleheader before handing the ball to Dakota Hudson on Sunday.

DeSclafani (1-1) allowed nine earned runs on nine hits and two walks while striking out one across two innings to take the loss Thursday against the Pirates.

DeSclafani surrendered two solo home runs in the first inning, but really came unraveled in the second frame. He allowed nine of the first 10 batters he faced to reach base, including a leadoff home run to Gregory Polanco. After the game, Bobby Nightengale of The Cincinnati Enquirer reported that DeSclafani was tipping his pitches. DeSclafani had yet to allow an earned run across 11 innings this season prior to this outing, so he'll look to get on track on his next turn through the rotation, currently projected to come Wednesday at Kansas City.

Williams (1-3) allowed three earned runs on seven hits and one walk while striking out four across five innings to earn the win Thursday against the Reds.

The Pirates jumped out to a 9-0 lead in the first two innings of the contest, allowing Williams to cruise to his first win of the season. The major damage against him came on a two-run home run by Nick Senzel in the fourth inning. Williams now maintains a 3.98 ERA across 20.1 innings this season, and he's worked a combined 12.2 frames across his last two starts while allowing four earned runs. He'll look to keep his success going in his next outing, currently projected to come Tuesday against Cleveland.

Gomber was placed on the COVID-19 injured list after contract tracing identified him as being at risk for possibly having the virus, Jeff Jones of the Belleville News-Democrat reports.

Gomber has not registered a positive test but the Cardinals will play it safe and keep the pitcher away from the team as they hope to resume their season against the White Sox on Saturday. With St. Louis working through a COVID-19 outbreak, Gomber joins a crowded group of Cardinals that are on the injured list.