MLB Player News

Alvarez is signing a minor-league deal with the Pirates on Sunday, Russell Dorsey of the Chicago Sun-Times reports.

Alvarez spent 2019 at the Triple-A level and posted a 5.94 ERA, 1.62 WHIP and 37:18 K:BB over 53 innings. The 30-year-old last appeared in the majors with the Phillies as a starter in 2017, and he was playing with the Milwaukee Milkmen in independent ball before connecting with the Pirates.

Lauer is scheduled to start Wednesday's game against the Twins, Phil Miller of the Minneapolis Star Tribune reports.

The left-hander had an ugly performance in his first start of the season Friday with six runs allowed over three innings, but he'll receive at least one more turn through the rotation. Lauer may need a better performance Wednesday to retain the starting role, as Corbin Burnes is fully stretched out and delivered 5.1 innings of stellar relief in Saturday's contest.

Miley (groin) will return from the injured list Wednesday to start against the Royals, Bobby Nightengale of The Cincinnati Enquirer reports.

The veteran left-hander landed on the shelf with the groin injury after surrendering six runs (five earned) over 1.2 innings July 27 against the Cubs in his first start of the year. Miley had a 3.98 ERA, 1.34 WHIP and 140:61 K:BB over 167.1 innings last season with the Astros.

Mahle is available out of the bullpen Sunday since Wade Miley (groin) will rejoin the starting rotation this week, Bobby Nightengale of The Cincinnati Enquirer reports.

The 25-year-old was impressive in his two fill-in starts with a 1.80 ERA, 1.00 WHIP and 10:3 K:BB over 10 innings, but he'll rejoin the bullpen with the rotation getting back to full strength. Mahle's strong showing should keep him as the top option for any spot starts if the Reds suffer any more injuries to the rotation, and he could also be a piggyback option if Miley is unable to work deep in his first start off the injured list Wednesday.

Velasquez will start the first game of Sunday's doubleheader against the Braves.

Though the Phillies will bring up top pitching prospect Spencer Howard ahead of the second half of the twinbill, there will temporarily be room for him and Velasquez to maintain starting roles with Philadelphia running out a six-man rotation while the team completes a stretch of six games in five days. The performances of Velasquez in the first game and Howard in the second game of the doubleheader will likely dictate which of the two gets the nod when a fifth starter is needed again Friday versus the Mets. Velasquez entered the season with little security in the rotation and didn't help his case by failing to escape the fourth inning in his 2020 debut July 26 versus the Marlins.

Wacha was placed on the injured list with right shoulder inflammation Sunday, Tim Healey of Newsday reports.

The injury presumably flared up during Friday's start against the Marlins, when the 29-year-old allowed four runs on six hits with nine strikeouts and two walks over five innings. Wacha doesn't have a timetable for his return, but he's likely to miss at least his next two starts.

Cueto (1-0) grabbed the win Saturday against the Dodgers. He gave up four runs on two hits and three walks while fanning three across 5.2 innings.

Cueto didn't have his best stuff Saturday, but he pitched well enough to earn his first win of the 2020 campaign. Cueto will try to make it two straight wins in his next start, scheduled for Aug. 14 at home against the Athletics.

Kershaw (1-1) was tagged with the loss Saturday against San Francisco. He gave up four runs on seven hits -- including three home runs -- and one walk while fanning six across 4.1 innings.

Kershaw was coming off a scoreless debut against Arizona on Aug. 2, but he couldn't repeat that against San Francisco and surrendered three home runs -- two to Austin Slater and one to Mike Yastrzemski -- during his outing. Kershaw will try to bounce back in his next scheduled start at home against the Padres on Aug. 13.

Paddack (2-1) took the loss Saturday, allowing three runs on five hits and two walks while striking out six in 5.2 innings versus the Diamondbacks.

Paddack was in the midst of a fine outing until the sixth inning, when solo shots from Starling Marte and Stephen Vogt ended his appearance. The Padres couldn't cover the damage, and Paddack took his first loss in four starts. The right-hander has a 3.18 ERA, 1.01 WHIP and 21:3 K:BB in 22.2 innings this season. He'll try to get back in the win column on the road Thursday versus the Dodgers.

Kelly (2-1) surrendered one run on six hits and struck out four over six innings, earning the win Saturday versus the Padres.

Kelly outperformed Padres ace Chris Paddack in the contest. The only blemish on Kelly's line was a Fernando Tatis solo shot in the first inning. The right-handed Kelly has a 2.29 ERA, 0.97 WHIP and 15 strikeouts in 19.2 innings this season. He lines up for his next start Friday at home in a rematch against the Padres.