MLB Player News

Wheeler (8-6) picked up the win against the White Sox on Thursday, scattering four hits over seven shutout innings, striking out seven with no walks as the Mets won 4-0.

Wheeler was brilliant in his second start since returning from the injured list with a shoulder injury, blanking the White Sox and nailing down his eighth win of the season. The 29-year-old now sports a 4.45 ERA, a 1.23 WHIP and a 144:34 K:BB over 131.1 innings ahead of his next start, which will pit him against the Marlins in a Tuesday home matchup.

DeSclafani (6-6) was charged with the loss Thursday against the Braves after surrendering three runs on seven hits and a walk while striking out five over five innings.

DeSclafani got off to a rough first inning, giving up a leadoff double to Ronald Acuna, a single to Ozzie Albies and a three-run home run to Freddie Freeman before finally recording the first out. The 29-year-old then allowed one final run in the second off an RBI single by Jose Peraza before settling in. Over his last 10 starts, DeSclafani is 4-3 with a 60:13 K:BB. He now owns a 4.07 ERA and 1.30 WHIP on the season and will next look toward a Tuesday home showdown against the Angels.

Fried (12-4) allowed just one run on four hits while striking out four over six innings to earn the win over the Reds on Thursday.

Fried turned in a solid performance and looked ready to pitch into the seventh inning if it wasn't for a rain delay at SunTrust Park that ended the game early. The southpaw threw 76 pitches and did not walk anyone in the impressive effort as he picked up his second straight win. Through 28 appearances, Fried sports a 4.01 ERA, 1.37 WHIP and 112:34 K:BB. The 25-year-old will take the mound again Tuesday at Minnesota.

Hamels (oblique) will be activated off the 10-day injured list and start Saturday against the Brewers, Jordan Bastian of MLB.com reports.

The move was largely expected, but manager Joe Maddon confirmed the plan following Thursday's loss to the Cardinals. The southpaw completed two minor-league rehab starts as part of his recovery from an oblique strain that has sidelined him since late June. In his 17 starts prior to his injury, Hamels notched an ERA of 2.98 with a 97:35 K:BB.

May will make his first major-league start Friday, Ken Gurnick of MLB.com reports.

The announcement was largely expected with Ross Stripling (bicep) still on the 10-day injured list. In five starts for Triple-A Oklahoma City, May owns a 2.30 ERA with a 24:9 K:BB. Even after the Dodgers' rotation is healthy, May could provide an effective arm in the bullpen if he impresses at the major-league level.

Urias will remain in the bullpen for now, Ken Gurnick of MLB.com reports.

The southpaw struggled in a spot start Tuesday, and manager Dave Roberts said Wednesday that Urias will remain in the bullpen, but he didn't rule out starting in the future if injuries persist in the rotation. In 24 appearances (six starts) this season, the 22-year-old owns a 62:20 K:BB with an ERA of 2.54.

Hamels (oblique) could return from the injured list to start Saturday against the Brewers, Jordan Bastian of MLB.com reports.

The Cubs are waiting to see how Hamels feels after throwing a between-starts bullpen before confirming his status for Saturday's start, but it sounds like he's trending toward rejoining the big-league rotation over the weekend after completing a pair of minor-league rehab starts with no issues. The southpaw, who has been sidelined since the end of June with an oblique strain, owns a 2.98 ERA, 1.20 WHIP and 97:35 K:BB in 17 starts (99.2 innings) this season.

Taillon is expected to undergo surgery to repair his elbow flexor tendon within the next few weeks, Rob Biertempfel of The Athletic reports.

There's apparently a small chance that Dr. David Altchek could discover more extensive damage while performing the surgery, which would ultimately lead to another Tommy John procedure for the right-hander, though the medical team is optimistic that won't be the case. The expectation is that Taillon will be sidelined for 7-to-9 months following the procedure, which would allow him to rejoin the Pirates' stating rotation by May of 2020, if all goes well. A second Tommy John surgery would keep him out until 2021.

Lauer is slated to make his next start Friday against the Dodgers.

Lauer had been ahead of Joey Lucchesi in the pitching schedule, but the two will switch spots after the former worked in relief Sunday against the Giants. The change won't mean much for fantasy purposes, as Lucchesi will get the ball for the series opener with the Dodgers while Lauer also draws the same opponent. Lauer only tossed 14 pitches in the relief appearance over the weekend, so he shouldn't face any workload restrictions either while returning to the mound on his normal four days' rest.

Burnes (shoulder) was activated from the injured list Wednesday and optioned to Triple-A San Antonio, Adam McCalvy of MLB.com reports.

Burnes has recovered from the shoulder injury that sidelined him nearly two weeks and is ready to resume pitching on a normal schedule. Burnes made a couple rehab appearances with San Antonio before his activation and has allowed just one earned run over 12.2 minor-league innings this season (0.71 ERA). However, he has allowed 46 earned runs over 46 big-league innings in 2019 (9.00 ERA), so he will likely need a few more sharp appearances at the Triple-A level in order to rejoin the Brewers prior to September.