MLB Player News

Manager Bud Black said after Tuesday's 8-7 loss to the Diamondbacks that Freeland strained his left groin in the contest and is expected to miss time as a result of the injury, Patrick Saunders of The Denver Post reports.

Based on the low standard he's set this season, Freeland was enjoying a solid outing Tuesday before landing awkwardly on his left leg while following through on a pitch midway through the sixth inning. He had only two earned runs on his ledger before being pulled after 5.1 innings, but reliever Bryan Shaw then came on and allowed the inherited baserunner to score the go-ahead run, leaving Freeland on the hook for his 11th loss. The disappointing outcome is probably the least of Freeland's concerns at the moment, as he likely prepares for his second trip to the injured list of the season after previously missing time with a left middle finger blister in late April. The Rockies will likely send Freeland in for further tests Wednesday to determine the severity of his groin strain along with a projected timeline for his return. Colorado will first require a replacement in the rotation for Freeland on Sunday in St. Louis.

Gomber (biceps) is slated to throw another live batting practice session this week, Jenifer Langosch of MLB.com reports.

Gomber was able to throw a live batting practice session last Saturday during which his velocity topped out in the low 90s. The left-hander could progress to what will likely be a relatively length rehab assignment in the near future if he remains free of setbacks.

Wacha didn't factor into the decision in Tuesday's 9-4 win over the Brewers, giving up three hits and a walk over four scoreless innings while striking out five.

The right-hander was pitching well and had thrown only 73 pitches (46 strikes) through four frames, but with the bases loaded and two outs in a 1-0 game in the bottom of the fourth, Cards manager Mike Shildt elected to pinch hit for Wacha when his turn in the batting order came around. He's got a respectable 4.09 ERA and 18:6 K:BB through 22 innings since the All-Star break, but until he's allowed to pitch deeper into games, he'll be a tough player to roster in most fantasy formats. Wacha will next take the mound Sunday, at home against the Rockies.

Gallen has struggled to command his pitches during his time with the Diamondbacks, Richard Morin of the Arizona Republic reports.

After walking 18 batters over 36.1 innings prior to the trade from Miami to Arizona, Gallen issued another 10 free passes in 15 innings with the D-backs. Despite the walks, the right-hander minimized damage, allowing just three runs. It may be a case where the young pitcher is trading the base on balls for the risk of making a costly mistake to a big-league hitter. "I think it's just you get up here and guys have better eyes," Gallen said. "They're patient hitters; they know what they're looking for. There's a little bit of give and take. You can go ahead and attack them, but at the same time you run the risk of making a mistake and the next thing you know it's three runs instead of just a guy on first base or a guy on first and second." Over his three starts with Arizona, Gallen has landed just 30 percent of his fastballs and 29 percent of his curveballs for strikes. He's lined up to next start Sunday on the road against the Brewers.

Strasburg threw seven shutout innings while allowing four hits with one walk and six strikeouts during a no-decision against the Pirates on Tuesday.

The right-hander completed seven frames with 94 pitches, but Nationals manager Dave Martinez probably wishes he would have let Strasburg pitch longer. After his exit, the Nationals bullpen allowed four of the first five hitters in the eighth to reach and score, coughing up the lead in the process. With a 15-5 record, Strasburg doesn't have many no-decisions this season, but he does have a pair of those in his last three outings. The right-hander boasts a 3.65 ERA, 1.08 WHIP and 191 strikeouts in 165 innings this season and will pitch next at the Cubs on Sunday.

Kershaw (13-2) picked up the win against the Blue Jays on Tuesday, giving up three earned runs on six hits over six innings, striking out six and walking three in a 16-3 blowout victory for the Dodgers.

His offense stole the show, but Kershaw did in his part in tossing a quality start and picking up his 13th win of the season. It was his eighth quality start in a row, as the dominant lefty continues to log another impressive campaign, sporting a 2.71 ERA, 1.02 WHIP and 147:31 K:BB across 143 innings.

Matz (8-7) earned the win Tuesday versus the Indians after allowing two runs (one earned) on five hits with seven strikeouts and two walks over 6.1 innings.

Matz really only had trouble with one hitter Tuesday, as Jason Kipnis brought home both runs with a solo homer and an RBI single. The 28-year-old now has three straight quality starts in which he's given up five runs (three earned) across 19 innings in total. Matz lines up to close the week with a start against the Braves at home.

Keuchel (4-5) earned the win Tuesday against the Marlins after giving up one run on six hits over six innings. He had seven strikeouts and two walks.

Keuchel served up a solo homer to Jon Berti during the third, but he was otherwise effective, scattering four singles and a double. The veteran southpaw has found his groove in his last two starts with a 14:4 K:BB and only one run surrendered over 12 innings, and he'll look to continue that trend on the road Monday versus the Mets.

Freeland exited Tuesday's start at Arizona with an apparent leg injury, Nick Groke of The Athletic reports.

Freeland was pulled with one out in the sixth inning and appeared to be limping when he was looked at by the athletic trainer. He gave up five runs (three earned) on five hits with two walks and two strikeouts prior to leaving the contest.

Nola (12-3) allowed two earned runs on four hits and a walk while striking out seven across seven innings to earn the win Tuesday against the Red Sox.

Nola's lone blemish came in the third inning when he allowed a two-run homer to Jackie Bradley. However, he went on to retire 14 of the last 17 batters he faced and has now worked more than six innings in five of seven starts since the All-Star break. As a result, he owns a 3.51 ERA and 1.23 WHIP with 180 strikeouts across 161.1 innings -- mostly correcting a slow start to the season. He'll look to maintain his strong form in his next outing, currently scheduled for Sunday at Miami.