MLB Player News

Kelly said he stopped a summer slide by making two significant adjustments, one mechanical and the other mental, Nick Piecoro of the Arizona Republic reports.

Kelly's spot in the rotation was teetering following an August start against the Brewers when manager Torey Lovullo openly considered a change. The right-hander had a 9.20 ERA over an odious six-start stretch, but the manager held off. After that start, Kelly tweaked his mechanics, a slight turn of the hips before driving down the mound. That adjustment added a tick of velocity over his last five starts; Kelly's four-seam fastball averaged 92.08 following that start against Milwaukee and jumped to 93.47 since. "It just allows me to be more athletic," Kelly said, "and not necessarily feel my way through my delivery but just kind of load and go." He also credits an intangible adjustment, realizing he no longer needs to fear opposing hitters. "Just having the confidence," he said, "that I'm good enough as myself and don't need to be any better than what I'm doing is kind of what it boils down to." Kelly has a 1.74 ERA with a 9.3 K/9 over the last five starts.

Diamondbacks manager Torey Lovullo said Gallen may not pitch again this season, Nick Piecoro of the Arizona Republic reports.

Lovullo said Gallen's scheduled start Saturday is being skipped in favor of Luke Weaver (elbow) returning from the injured list and then acknowledged it is possible Gallen will not pitch again this season. The rookie right-hander has thrown a career-high 171.1 innings combined between the majors and minors, so the team was already thinking about capping his season. Earlier this month, Lovullo indicated that Gallen would be used as long as the playoffs were a possibility; Arizona entered play Friday technically still alive for a postseason spot, albeit facing long odds. Gallen is expected to claim one of Arizona's rotation spots in 2020.

Kershaw (15-5) earned the win Friday against the Rockies, giving up four runs on eight hits and a walk while striking out five across six innings.

Despite surrendering three home runs, Kershaw still managed to turn in the win, improving his career record against the Rockies to 23-8. Kershaw's nemeses Charlie Blackmon and Nolan Arenado got to him once again, this time with back-to-back home runs in the first inning, each tallying the fourth homer of their careers against the 31-year-old. Kershaw also served up a home run to Garrett Hampson in the fourth. The southpaw now owns a 3.15 ERA, 1.07 WHIP and 181:40 K:BB this season and will look to keep the ball in the park during his last start of the regular season Thursday at San Diego.

Kelly (12-14) picked up the win Friday after holding the Padres scoreless across seven innings, allowing two hits and three walks while striking out nine.

Coming off one of his best starts of the year, Kelly improved his season record against the Padres to 3-1 as he earned back-to-back wins for the first time since a three-start run in June. The right-hander's late-season surge improves his stat line to a 4.31 ERA, 1.30 WHIP and 151:55 K:BB. He'll make his final start of the regular season Wednesday against the Cardinals.

Lauer (8-10) was charged with the loss against the Diamondbacks on Friday, allowing two runs on two hits and four walks while striking out nine across six innings.

Despite turning in a quality start, Lauer just didn't get enough run support. Of course, surrendering four walks didn't help things, but the southpaw worked around them enough to limit the damage. In 12 of his 14 starts at Petco Park this year, Lauer has held his opponents to three runs or fewer. The 24-year-old now owns a 4.53 ERA and 1.39 WHIP on the season. He'll look to bounce back during his final outing Thursday against the Dodgers.

Matz will make his next start Monday against the Marlins, Mike Puma of the New York Post reports.

Matz was on track to make his next appearance Sunday in the series finale against the Reds, but he'll be pushed back a day. Marcus Stroman is now set to toe the rubber Sunday.

Stroman's next start will be moved up to Sunday against Cincinnati, Mike Puma of the New York Post reports.

Stroman was initially slated to start Monday, but he'll switch spots with Steven Matz and will now toe the rubber Sunday instead against the Reds. Matz is slated to start Monday in the series opener with Miami as a result.

Castillo (15-7) was handed the loss after surrendering three runs on three hits and three walks while striking out seven over seven innings Friday against the Mets.

Castillo worked five scoreless frames before allowing a solo homer in the sixth and a two-run blast in the seventh. Though he did turn in a quality start, his team only put up one run, resulting in a loss. The 26-year-old continues to show why he's his team's ace, as he now sports a 3.25 ERA and 1.13 WHIP with 218 strikeouts across 185.2 innings this season.

DeGrom (10-8) notched the win after giving up four hits while striking out nine over seven scoreless innings Friday night against the Reds.

DeGrom was lights out Friday night, hurling 70 of 96 pitches for strikes on the way to victory. The reigning Cy Young winner has surrendered just one run over his last three outings, and he's worked seven frames in each of his last seven starts. DeGrom owns a sparkling 2.51 ERA and 0.99 WHIP with 248 punchouts over 197 innings this year.

Smyly (3-2) took the loss after giving up four runs on five hits and three walks over two innings Friday night against the Indians.

Smyly struggled right from the start in this one, allowing two runs in the first inning followed by two more in the second prior to being lifted. Prior to Friday's rough outing, the 30-year-old southpaw has surrendered just four earned runs over his last three starts, though he sits with a 6.44 ERA and 1.64 WHIP with 110 punchouts over 107.2 innings this season.