MLB Player News

Velasquez (4-6) picked up the win against the Diamondbacks on Monday, giving up two earned runs on six hits over seven innings, striking out three and walking two as the Phillies bagged a 7-3 victory.

Velasquez has been on a nice run of late, as this was his third straight start in which he's yielded two or fewer earned runs. This was also the first time all season that he's made it through seven innings. It's been a solid stretch, but Velasquez's numbers on the season remain pedestrian thanks to an erratic campaign split between the bullpen and the starting rotation, as he's sporting a 4.23 ERA and a 1.35 WHIP across 78.2 innings.

Kelly (7-12) took the loss against the Phillies on Monday, giving up four runs (three earned) on eight hits over six innings, striking out four and walking one as the Diamondbacks fell 7-3.

It was an improvement over his last two starts that saw him get blown up for 14 earned runs over 8.1 innings, but Kelly still wound up taking his 12th loss of the season, as well as his fourth defeat in his last five outings. The 30-year-old now has a 4.52 ERA, a 1.29 WHIP and a 104:34 K:BB over 131.1 innings on the season.

Soroka threw seven innings in a no-decision against the Twins on Monday, giving up three earned runs on six hits, striking out three and walking one as the Braves lost 5-3.

It was the second straight start where Soroka made it through seven frames, as he continues his stellar rookie campaign. The All-Star isn't providing eye-popping strikeout numbers this season, with 97 punchouts in 121 innings, but any shortcomings in that department have been offset by his excellent ratios, as he boasts a 2.45 ERA and a 1.11 WHIP. He's scheduled to take the mound next against the Marlins on the road on Saturday.

Castillo (11-4) picked up the win after surrendering two runs on three hits and a walk while striking out 13 over seven innings Monday against the Angels.

Castillo gave up a pair of solo homers in the second and third innings, but he was otherwise locked in Monday evening. The 26-year-old right-hander has now secured back-to-back victories, yielding just three runs while fanning 20 over his last two starts (14 innings).

Hendricks didn't factor into the decision against the Athletics on Monday, giving up two earned runs on one hit over 6.1 innings, striking out five and walking two as the Cubs eventually prevailed 6-5.

Hendricks yielded a two-run homer to Marcus Semien in the third inning, but that was the only hit he gave up in the contest, as he churned out another excellent stat line. The right-hander has now given up two runs or fewer and thrown at least five innings in each of his last five starts, a stretch that has lowered his ERA to 3.06 and his WHIP to 1.09 through 126.2 innings. He'll look to keep it rolling in his next start, which will see him take on the Reds in a Saturday road matchup.

Lugo struck out two in two perfect innings to record his second save in a 5-4 win over the Marlins during the second game of Monday's doubleheader.

Lugo was phenomenal in protecting a two-run lead. He hasn't allowed a run or hit in his last 10 innings of work, and the 29-year-old has a 2.59 ERA and 72 strikeouts through 44 games. Edwin Diaz's struggles could be opening the door for Lugo to close on a more regular basis, but it's worth noting that Diaz was likely unavailable for Monday's nightcap after striking out two in a clean inning of his own in the matinee.

Alcantara gave up two runs on three hits and three walks while striking out four through five innings in a no-decision against the Mets on Monday.

Alcantara gave up two runs in the first inning but settled down, allowing one hit through his next four frames. The 23-year-old has a 4.50 ERA with 93 strikeouts this season, but he has posted a 7.21 ERA since the All-Star break. Alcantara will make his next start Saturday against the Braves at Marlins Park.

Hill (forearm) played catch from 75 feet Monday, David Vassegh of AM 570 LA Sports reports.

Hill ramped up his intensity during Monday's throwing session and apparently felt no issues. The southpaw, who has been sidelined since June 20 with a left forearm strain, is hoping to resume throwing bullpen sessions before the end of August, which would put him on track to return sometime in September.

Urena (back) is scheduled to throw a bullpen session Tuesday, Jordan McPherson of the Miami Herald reports.

The Marlins shut Urena down for about a month while he recuperated from a herniated disc in his lower back, but the right-hander was able to initiate a throwing program about three weeks ago. With Urena's back responding well to flat-ground work, he'll be cleared to take another step forward by getting on the mound Tuesday. He'll likely need to complete several side sessions before the Marlins allow him to face live hitters and eventually, head out of a minor-league rehab assignment. Based on where he currently stands in his recovery, Urena seems unlikely to return from the 60-day injured list until September.

Davies was placed on the 10-day injured list Monday due to back spasms, Robert Murray of The Athletic reports.

It's unclear when Davies picked up the injury, but it could help explain his recent struggles; in his past three starts, the right-hander has allowed 18 runs (17 earned) on 20 hits -- including six home runs -- while posting a 10:6 K:BB in 13 innings. Manager Craig Counsell isn't concerned that the issue is a long-term one, per Sophia Minnaert of Fox Sports Wisconsin, though the skipper didn't offer up a timetable for Davies' return. Jake Faria was summoned from the minors in a corresponding move, while the Brewers have yet to announce who will replace Davies in the rotation.