-
Dallas Keuchel SP | MIL
Braves' Dallas Keuchel: Hit hard in loss to Marlins
Keuchel (3-5) allowed eight runs on 10 hits and one walk across 3.2 innings while taking the loss Thursday against the Marlins. He struck out four.
Keuchel got off to a poor start, allowing three runs via a pair of home runs in the first inning. He again ran into trouble in the fourth, when he surrendered five runs on six hits before departing with two outs. Keuchel had two quality starts in his previous three outings coming in, so this result was a bit unexpected considering the lesser-quality opponent. He takes his next turn at home Wednesday against the Mets.
-
Dallas Keuchel SP | MIL
Braves' Dallas Keuchel: Roughed up for eight runs
Keuchel (3-5) lasted just 3.2 innings in Thursday's loss to the Marlins, surrendering eight runs on 10 hits and a walk while striking out four.
Keuchel gave up back-to-back home runs in the first inning to give the Marlins a 3-0 lead, but recovered by retiring the next three batters, including a pair of strikeouts. The bulk of the damage came with a five-run, seven-hit fourth inning that was capped off by Brian Anderson's second homer of the game. Keuchel's rough outing comes as a surprise since the 31-year-old had limited Miami to only two runs over 7.1 innings in their previous meeting this season. Though Keuchel has struggled with command issues at times this year, he has mostly pitched well, at least better than Thursday's outing would suggest. He'll take a 4.83 ERA, 1.36 WHIP and 46:20 K:BB into a Wednesday matchup against the Mets.
-
MacKenzie Gore SP | TEX
Padres' MacKenzie Gore: Shut down due to workload
Gore has been shut down for workload purposes, Jeff Sanders of The San Diego Union-Tribune reports.
This isn't all too surprising, as the well-regarded prospect has already surpassed his innings total from an injury-marred 2018 campaign by nearly 40 frames. Gore will continue to pitch on a semi-regular schedule on the side to remain active, and the Padres haven't ruled out letting the 20-year-old return to action during the Double-A playoffs. Across 99.1 innings between High-A Lake Elsinore and Double-A Amarillo this season, Gore owns a stellar 1.72 ERA, 0.84 WHIP and 130:27 K:BB.
-
Pablo Lopez SP | MIN
Marlins' Pablo Lopez: Bullpen session approaching
Lopez (shoulder) will return to Miami and throw a bullpen session Friday, Andre Fernandez of The Athletic reports.
He struggled in his three rehab starts, allowing 12 runs on 13 hits and walking four across just five innings. Manager Don Mattingly was hoping that the righty would build up to 100 pitches in his rehab appearances, but the 23-year-old was unable to go deep enough in any outing to approach that number. It is unclear how many additional rehab starts Lopez will require before being activated from the 10-day injured, where he was placed June 19.
-
Merrill Kelly SP | ARI
Diamondbacks' Merrill Kelly: Not getting two-start week
Kelly won't make his next scheduled start in Sunday's game against the Dodgers, Jack Magruder of the Associated Press reports. Instead, Mike Leake will take the hill for the Diamondbacks' series finale in Los Angeles.
Thanks to an off day Thursday, the Diamondbacks had the luxury to rearrange their rotation, allowing Leake to jump ahead of Kelly in the order while staying on his normal four days' rest. Given that Kelly has been blown up for 18 runs (17 earned) in 14.1 innings over his past three starts, the Diamondbacks likely reasoned that Leake gave the team a better chance at winning versus a tough Los Angeles squad. Kelly will miss out on a two-start week as a result of the change, though he'll tentatively line up for a two turns during the upcoming week. It's not an especially appealing two step, however, as Kelly is expected to start Monday in a matchup with the Rockies at Coors Field before returning home next weekend for a start versus the Giants.
-
Mitch Keller SP | PIT
Pirates' Mitch Keller: Set to join big-league rotation
Keller is expected to join the big-league rotation next week, Jason Mackey of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette reports.
Per Mackey, Keller was scratched from his scheduled start with Triple-A Indianapolis on Thursday as he gears up for a promotion to the majors. The right-hander allowed six runs in each of his first two starts with the big club this season, though he performed much better in his third outing for the Pirates, allowing two runs while striking out six batters in five innings. Keller has compiled a 3.65 ERA and 67 strikeouts over his past 10 starts (56.2 innings) with Indianapolis. He'll replace Dario Agrazal -- who was optioned to the minors earlier in the week -- in the rotation. With Pittsburgh's starters set for their weekend series against the Cardinals, Keller figures to start either Monday or Tuesday against the Angels.
-
Joe Musgrove SP | SD
Pirates' Joe Musgrove: Cleared to start Saturday
Musgrove (back) has been cleared to start Saturday's game against the Cardinals, Adam Berry of MLB.com reports.
After yielding a season-high-tying eight runs over 3.1 innings his last time out in an Aug. 4 loss to the Mets, Musgrove relayed after the start that he experienced some back stiffness. The right-hander apparently completed his between-starts throwing session without incident, however, allowing him to return to the mound this weekend on five days' rest. He'll be making his third appearance in St. Louis this season after giving up 13 runs (12 earned) in 7.2 frames in the first two outings.
-
Kyle Wright SP | CHC
Braves' Kyle Wright: Continues dealing for Gwinnett
Wright allowed one run on five hits over six innings while striking out six for Triple-A Gwinnett on Wednesday.
Sandwiched around a rough spot start for the big club July 18, Wright has been one of the best pitchers in the International League for nearly two months. The right-hander has won six straight decisions and delivered quality starts in seven of his last eight trips to the mound for Gwinnett, posting a 2.13 ERA, 0.97 WHIP and 57:10 K:BB through 50.2 innings over that stretch. Control issues have been a problem for the 23-year-old during his brief stints in Atlanta, but this run of success could give him the confidence he needs to stop nibbling and attack hitters the next time he gets the call.
-
Zac Gallen SP | ARI
Diamondbacks' Zac Gallen: Fans six in win
Gallen (2-3) earned the win Wednesday after holding the Phillies scoreless over five innings, allowing one hit and three walks while striking out six.
Making his first start for the Diamondbacks, Gallen turned in a solid performance, retiring the first six batters and holding the Phillies to one single. The right-hander, who made his big-league debut June 20, was traded from the Marlins at the deadline. Through eight appearances, Gallen owns a 2.40 ERA, 1.14 WHIP and 49:21 K:BB. The 24-year-old has a tall order on tap in his next start against the Rockies on Tuesday at Coors Field.
-
Jacob Nix SP | SD
Padres' Jacob Nix: Hurls 4.1 innings in rehab start
Nix made his first start with High-A Lake Elsinore on Wednesday, going 4.1 innings and allowing one unearned run on two hits and a walk while striking out seven.
In his third overall minor-league appearance as he recovers from a UCL strain, Nix reached his 65-pitch limit in the fifth inning after allowing only three baserunners. His fastball was clocked in the low 90s, and he has now struck out 13 batters over nine innings between Lake Elsinore and the Arizona Rookie League. Nix went 2-5 with a 7.02 ERA in nine starts with San Diego in 2018 and could be back with the big club at some point this season if his rehab continues to go well.