MLB Player News

Keller is listed as the Pirates' scheduled starter for Sunday's game against the Cubs.

To little surprise, Keller will garner another turn through the rotation after impressing in his return to the big leagues earlier this week. The rookie delivered the best of his four career starts in Monday's 10-2 triumph over the Angels, tossing five innings and giving up an unearned run on five hits and two walks en route to claiming his first win. The non-contending Pirates have little to lose by letting Keller gain further experience at the big-league level as he prepares for a full-time rotation gig in 2020, but a potential workload limit may prevent him from sticking as a starter throughout the final six-plus weeks of the season.

Gray (ankle) is listed as the Rockies' probable starter for Friday's game against the Marlins.

With that, it seems Gray emerged from Wednesday's bullpen session with little or no residual soreness in his left ankle. The Rockies were forced to push Gray back from Tuesday after the right-hander slipped on the dugout steps and hurt his ankle in San Diego last week. Gray will draw a last-place Marlins team at home Friday, and Gray has been better at Coors Field (3.88 ERA) than on the road (4.22 ERA) this season, continuing a four-year trend in his home/road splits.

Manager Dave Roberts said the club hasn't decided whether May will start Sunday against the Braves, Bill Plunkett of The Orange County Register reports.

May has looked solid through three big-league starts, posting a 2.65 ERA, 1.12 WHIP and 15:2 K:BB in 17 innings, but he may shift to a bullpen role -- at least briefly -- as the Dodgers look to limit his workload down the stretch. "I do see him getting some time in the 'pen," Roberts said, per Plunkett. "When that happens I can't even really speak to that right now." It's unclear who would start for the Dodgers on Sunday if May doesn't get the ball, though Tony Gonsolin is an option.

Diamondbacks manager Torey Lovullo said Kelly will remain in the rotation, Nick Piecoro of the Arizona Republic reports.

Kelly's status has come under question after a 10-start stretch, during which the right-hander has a 6.29 ERA and the Diamondbacks are 2-8. "We just want him to grow and learn and go out there every fifth day and take the baseball," Lovullo said. "No, that (taking him out of the rotation) hasn't been discussed internally at all." Kelly is lined up to start Saturday at home against the Giants.

Nola (11-3) picked up the win in Wednesday's 11-1 rout of the Cubs, giving up one run on three hits and a walk over seven innings while striking out seven.

The right-hander took a shutout into the seventh inning before Kris Bryant ruined it with a solo shot. Nola now has a 3.09 ERA, 1.15 WHIP and 49:16 K:BB through 43.2 innings over seven starts since the All-Star break, and he'll look to keep rolling in his next outing Tuesday in Boston.

Strasburg (15-5) picked up the win in Wednesday's 17-7 rout of the Reds, allowing four runs on seven hits and three walks over 5.2 innings while striking out four.

It was far from his sharpest outing, but a 10-run eruption by the Nats' bats in the fifth inning ensured Strasburg would be able to snap his brief two-start winless streak. The right-hander will take a 3.82 ERA and 185:41 K:BB through 158 innings into his next outing Tuesday in PIttsburgh.

Matz gave up one run on two hits and one walk while striking out five through six innings in a no-decision against the Braves on Wednesday.

Matz ran into a little trouble in the second frame, but he didn't allow a baserunner otherwise. In an odd move, Matz was removed 79 pitches into a nice performance after hitting for himself in the top of the seventh inning. The 28-year-old has a 4.33 ERA and 109 strikeouts through 22 starts this season. Matz will make his next start Tuesday against the Indians at Citi Field.

Keuchel allowed five hits and two walks while striking out seven through six scoreless innings in a no-decision against the Mets on Wednesday.

Keuchel delivered a quality start and left in line for the win, but the Braves' bullpen allowed two runs in the seventh inning. Keuchel registered 31 called strikes or swinging strikes on 98 pitches in a sharp performance and now has a 4.39 ERA with 53 strikeouts through 11 starts this season. Keuchel will make his next start Tuesday against the Marlins at SunTrust Park.

Hamels (6-4) allowed eight runs on nine hits and two walks across two innings to take the loss Wednesday against the Phillies. He struck out two.

It was a performance to forget for Hamels against his former team. The lefty allowed two runs in each of the first two innings, then got the hook after allowing four straight hits to begin the third. The eight earned runs are a new season worst for Hamels, and he saw his ERA climb from 3.09 to 3.69 in the process. He's still been generally solid for the Cubs this year, and he'll look to shake this one off when he takes the hill again Tuesday against the Giants.

Kershaw (12-2) gave up no runs on two hits and no walks while striking out 10 through seven innings to take the win over the Marlins on Wednesday.

Kershaw came out dealing, striking out eight of the first nine batters he faced and not allowing a baserunner until the fifth inning. In an amazing run of consistency, the left-hander has pitched at least six innings in all 21 of his starts. Kershaw has a 2.63 ERA and 141 strikeouts this season and will make his next start Tuesday against the Blue Jays at Dodger Stadium.