MLB Player News

Manager Mike Shildt announced Thursday that Flaherty will make his next start either Sunday against the Cubs or Monday against the Pirates, Anne Rogers of MLB.com reports.

According to Rob Rains of StLSportsPage.com, the team has opted to get Flaherty another side session under his belt before starting a game for the first time in over two weeks due to the club's COVID-19 outbreak. St. Louis will go with Daniel Ponce de Leon in Friday's opener against the Cubs and Flaherty will make his second start of the campaign on either Sunday or Monday.

Quintana (thumb) threw a 35-pitch simulated game Thursday, Mark Gonzales of the Chicago Tribune reports.

Quintana has been working his way back from thumb surgery, and Thursday's throwing session was an encouraging development as he was able to utilize his entire four-pitch repertoire. The southpaw is scheduled to throw a bullpen session Saturday, and he could return to the majors shortly after if all goes well. Quintana's role once he heads back to the big leagues hasn't yet been defined. A bullpen role hasn't been ruled out, but if he indeed claims a spot in the starting rotation, Tyler Chatwood or Alec Mills could serve in a long relief role.

The Cubs optioned Steele to their alternate training site in South Bend on Thursday, Jesse Rogers of ESPN.com reports.

Steele was one of two Cubs relievers sent down to the alternate site while the team reduced its active roster from 30 to 28 men, with Rex Brothers set to join him in South Bend. The Cubs didn't use Steele out of the bullpen after he was called up Sunday.

Lucchesi will not start Friday's game against Arizona, AJ Cassavell of MLB.com reports.

Padres manager Jayce Tingler announced Wednesday that Zach Davies will be the starter for Friday's series opener against the Diamondbacks, leaving Lucchesi's spot in the rotation in question. Lucchesi has been functioning as San Diego's No. 4 starter at the beginning of the campaign, but he has struggled in his two outings, hurling a combined 5.1 innings and allowing five earned runs on 11 hits and two walks. Tingler has yet to announce rotation plans beyond Friday, so it remains to be seen whether the decision to skip Lucchesi's turn is an indication that he has been ousted from the rotation or it's simply a way to take advantage of Thursday's off day and keep the rest of the staff on regular rest.

Davies will have his next start moved up to Friday, AJ Cassavell of MLB.com reports.

Davies has been following Joey Lucchesi in the rotation, but with an off-day Thursday, the Padres have elected to skip Lucchesi's spot and roll with Davies on five days rest for Friday's series opener against Arizona. Whether the change indicates a move away from Lucchesi as a starter remains to be seen. San Diego has not yet announced its starter for Saturday, though it stands to reason that Chris Paddack will take the mound that day on regular rest.

Brubaker will make his first MLB start Thursday against the Twins.

He's been one of the team's pleasant surprises in the early going, compiling five scoreless innings with seven strikeouts in two relief outings. Brubaker was named Pittsburgh's minor league pitcher of the year in 2018, when he registered a 2.81 ERA, 1.26 WHIP and 131:44 K:BB in 154 innings. He's coming back from a forearm strain that sidelined him for most of 2019, however, making it highly likely that the organization will limit his innings.

Stripling (3-0) earned the win in Wednesday's contest over the Padres. He gave up four runs on six hits -- including a home run -- and two walks while fanning seven across 5.2 innings.

Stripling began the season tossing seven innings on one-run ball against the Giants on July 24, but he has given up seven runs on 10 hits and four walks combined in 11 innings over his last two starts, both on the road. Stripling's next scheduled start is set for Aug. 11 at home against the Padres.

Gray (0-1) was charged with four runs (three earned) on five hits over six innings in a loss to the Giants on Wednesday. He struck out two and did not issue a walk.

Most of the damage was done in the fourth inning; a Trevor Story fielding error was followed by a Donovan Solano single and a Brandon Belt homer. It was the first homer given up by Gray this season, but he has just seven strikeouts in 16.1 innings. Hopefully he can dial his strikeout rate back up, because all of that contact in Coors Field is a losing formula. Gray gets two more at home next week (vs. ARI, vs. TEX).

Webb (1-0) was charged with two runs (one earned) on four hits over five innings in a win over the Rockies on Wednesday. He struck out four and did not issue a walk.

Tip of the cap to Webb, who went five innings in Coors Field without allowing an extra-base hit. He mostly struggled in his eight starts for the Giants last year, posting a 5.22 ERA and 1.46 WHIP over 39.2 innings, and has not reached even 80 pitches in a start this season (only 68 pitches Wednesday). Clearly manager Gabe Kapler wants to limit Webb's exposure to opposing lineups, and with that, it will be difficult for Webb to earn wins consistently. The right-hander lines up for a couple tough matchups next week (at HOU, vs. OAK).

Darvish (2-1) allowed one run on five hits and one walk while striking out four over seven innings in a win over the Royals on Wednesday.

Darvish made his layup in Kansas City, as he did last week at home against Pittsburgh. He does not have a big strikeout game yet this season, but Darvish has issued only two walks in 17 innings which is a very encouraging sign. The right-hander tightened up his control down the stretch last year and was one of the best pitchers in the game after an ugly first half of 2019. Darvish lines up for a road start in Cleveland in the first of two starts next week.