MLB Player News

Manager Bruce Bochy mentioned Webb as a candidate to fill the opening in the Giants' rotation Saturday against the Diamondbacks, John Shea of the San Francisco Chronicle reports.

Since Webb is already on the 40-man roster, is stretched out to start and would be available on his normal four days' rest, he makes for a logical choice to fill the rotation spot that was vacated by Shaun Anderson's (finger) recent move to the injured list. Webb posted a 1.92 ERA in 11 starts at Double-A Richmond before moving up to Triple-A Sacramento this week and excelling in his Pacific Coast League debut, holding Nashville to one run on seven hits while striking out seven in seven innings. Anderson is expected back from the IL next week, so Webb would likely only be in line for a spot start if he gets a callup.

Contrary to previous reports, the plan is for Hill (forearm) to return as a starter, Jorge Castillo of the Los Angeles Times reports.

Hill played catch from 120 feet Thursday and is scheduled to throw off a mound next week for the first time since landing on the injured list June 20. The veteran southpaw is expected to throw four bullpen sessions before returning to game action; since the minor-league season will likely be over at that time, Hill will likely have to build his pitch count up during subsequent appearances in the majors -- similar to spring training -- with the hope of getting up to speed before the end of the season.

Lugo (3-5) was the pitcher of record in Wednesday's 6-4 loss to the Braves after retiring only one of the seven batters he faced and allowing five runs on five hits and a walk.

Just as he had started to gain a foothold as a potential top closing candidate for the Mets, Lugo imploded in what was by far his worst outing of the season. It's worth noting that Lugo entered the game in the seventh, with manager Mickey Callaway relaying afterward that he had planned on using the right-hander for two innings before turning to a matchups-based combination of Edwin Diaz and Justin Wilson in the ninth inning, per Anthony DiComo of MLB.com. Lugo's usage Wednesday coupled with Callaway's comments offer further evidence that the Mets' closing situation is truly in flux, though Diaz and Lugo still look like the better speculative options for saves than Wilson.

Ray (back) was placed on the 10-day injured list Thursday.

Ray exited his start against the Rockies on Wednesday prior to the third inning with a right lower back spasm; while Steve Gilbert of MLB.com reports that Ray's MRI didn't reveal anything overly serious -- just back spasms -- the injury will still force the left-hander to spend at least 10 days on the shelf. Jon Duplantier was summoned from the minors in a corresponding move and is a candidate to replace Ray in the rotation for the time being.

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.