MLB Player News

Williams (3-4) allowed three runs on four hits with two walks and seven strikeouts across seven innings while taking a loss against the Mets on Saturday.

While Williams did allow two homers, he ultimately didn't receive enough support to win this pitching duel. The Pirates didn't score a run, and Jung Ho Kang couldn't catch an easy popup one batter before J.D. Davis hit a homer, tagging Williams with an extra run (it was counted as earned). Still, the growing home run problem is a concern for Williams, as he's yielded 11 homers in six starts since returning from the injured list June 19. Williams, who owns a 4.87 ERA, 1.32 WHIP and 75 strikeouts in 88.2 innings this season, will look to make the proper corrections against the Mets again Friday, this time at home.

Matz (6-6) allowed five hits with no walks and seven strikeouts in a complete-game shutout against the Pirates on Saturday.

This was definitely Matz's best outing of the season. Other than relief appearances, he only had one outing this year where he allowed zero runs before Saturday, but Matz does possess a 1.80 ERA in his last five appearances. Overall, he owns a 4.32 ERA, 1.38 WHIP and 93 strikeouts in 100 innings this season. Matz will look to keep his scoreless innings streak going against the Pirates again during his next start Friday.

DeSclafani (6-5) allowed one run on four hits with three walks and five strikeouts across five innings while earning a victory against the Rockies on Saturday.

The right-hander took the mound in the sixth but yielded a pair of singles to start the frame, so he exited without recording an out. Until that point, DeSclafani had only allowed two hits. This was DeSclafani's first win since June 30, but over his last five starts, he's been pitching much better, posting a 2.20 ERA with 42 strikeouts in 28.2 innings. Overall, he owns a 4.01 ERA, 1.29 WHIP and 110 strikeouts in 103.1 innings this season. DeSclafani will pitch next at the Braves on Thursday.

Fried (11-4) received the win Saturday at Philadelphia after allowing five runs (four earned) on seven hits across 5.1 innings. He struck out six and walked three.

Fried's return after nearly two weeks on the injured list wasn't overly sharp, but he kept the Phillies in check after his offense supplied him with an 11-1 lead in the third inning. The 25-year-old has a 4.21 ERA, 1.41 WHIP and 108:34 K:BB through 109 innings and will look to clean things up Thursday against the Reds.

Eflin (7-11) was charged with the loss Saturday against the Braves after he surrendered 10 runs (six earned) on seven hits and four walks over 2.2 innings. He struck out just one.

The Braves tallied four runs in the second inning with a pair of two-run homers and erupted for seven more runs in the following frame. It's the fourth straight loss for Eflin as he's given up 27 runs (22 earned) across 15.2 innings during those outings. The 25-year-old will look to turn things around Friday versus the White Sox.

Cueto (elbow) threw a 25-pitch live batting practice session Saturday, Andrew Baggarly of The Athletic reports.

Everything went well in what was Cueto's first time facing live hitters since undergoing Tommy John surgery last August. The 33-year-old is expected to begin a rehab assignment with the Arizona League Giants in early August as he works to get back to the majors for the final month of the season.

Kershaw (9-2) tossed six innings, allowing two runs on three hits and three walks while striking out nine in a 9-3 win over the Nationals on Saturday.

Kershaw allowed two runs in the first inning on a triple from Adam Eaton and a Juan Soto sacrifice fly but shut the door after that. He allowed just one more hit, an infield single to pitcher Joe Ross. It was another strong performance for the southpaw - and he lowered his ERA to 2.85 and WHIP to 1.02 over 117 innings. Kershaw next lines up to take on the Padres at home next Thursday.

Eickhoff (biceps) is expected to begin a rehab assignment next week, Matt Breen of The Philadelphia Inquirer reports.

Eickhoff has been sidelined since June 16 with biceps tendinitis, but he's finally nearing a return to game action. Given the length of his absence, the right-hander will need to make multiple minor-league appearances before he's cleared to rejoin the Phillies, meaning he likely won't be ready to return to the big-league rotation until at least mid-August.

Urias will either start or be used as the primary pitcher Tuesday in Colorado, Jorge Castillo of the Los Angeles Times reports.

With Ross Stripling (biceps tightness) landing on the injured list, Urias will take his place in the Dodgers' rotation, but it's possible he will follow an opener. This is exciting for those who have been stashing Urias or deploying him as a reliever, as he may now get a chance to show what he is capable of as a regular member of the rotation, but this first outing in Coors Field is one to avoid. It is unclear how long Stripling will be out, but if he misses more than the minimum 10 days, Urias will line up for another start on Aug. 4.

Webb was reinstated from the restricted list Saturday, Andrew Baggarly of The Athletic reports.

Webb returns from his 80-game suspension for testing positive for performance-enhancing drugs and will report to Double-A Richmond, where he'll start Sunday. In five starts at the Double-A level this season, the 22-year-old has an ERA of 2.00 with a 1.15 WHIP. The right-hander could be a candidate to join the major-league club once rosters expand in September. Ty Blach was designated for assignment in a corresponding move.