MLB Player News

Houser will pitch out of the bullpen moving forward, Adam McCalvy of MLB.com reports.

Houser will transition back to a relief role with Gio Gonzalez (arm) set to return from the injured list and rejoin the starting rotation over the weekend. The righty has fared much better as a reliever this season, posting a 1.05 ERA, 0.97 WHIP and 29:10 K:BB in 25.2 innings out of the bullpen (compared to a 7.83 ERA in six starts).

Hamels (oblique) is scheduled to throw a bullpen session Wednesday, Jordan Bastian of MLB.com reports.

After experiencing no issues during a throwing session earlier in the week, Hamels has been cleared to resume mound work for the first time since landing on the injured list at the end of June. While this is a step in the right direction for the southpaw, a timetable for his return likely won't come into focus until he's cleared for a rehab assignment.

Woodruff (11-3) picked up the win in Tuesday's 13-1 rout of Atlanta, giving up one run on five hits and two walks over 6.2 innings while striking out seven.

While most of Milwaukee's offense came after Woodruff had left the game, his sharp performance ensured the outcome was never really in doubt. The right-hander has six quality starts in his last seven trips to the mound, and he'll take a 3.53 ERA and 133:27 K:BB through 114.2 innings into his next outing Sunday in Arizona.

DeSclafani didn't factor into the decision in Tuesday's 4-3 extra-inning loss to the Cubs, giving up three runs on four hits and a walk over 5.2 innings while striking out four.

While the right-hander was stingy with the hits, two of the Cubs' knocks left the yard -- including a solo shot by Kris Bryant in the sixth inning that tied the score at 3-3 and chased DeSclafani from the game one out shy of his third straight quality start. He'll take a 4.29 ERA and 94:27 K:BB through 92.1 innings into his next outing Sunday, at home against the Cardinals.

Buehler gave up six runs (two earned) on four hits and three walks over six innings during Tuesday's loss to the Phillies. He had seven strikeouts and did not factor in the decision.

Buehler allowed five runs on a pair of homers during the second inning but only one of the runs was earned due to an error early in the frame. He served up three homers overall, his highest total this season. The young right-hander has a 3.44 ERA, 1.00 WHIP and 120:17 K:BB in 18 starts and has an appetizing matchup with the Marlins on Sunday.

Velasquez allowed five runs (four earned) on five hits and one walk across 4.2 innings during Tuesday's win over the Dodgers. He had seven strikeouts and didn't factor in the decision.

Velasquez generated 19 swinging strikes and gave up only five hits -- which usually bodes well for a pitcher-- but he was unable to keep the ball in the yard as he allowed four homers. The right-hander has a 4.87 ERA, 1.39 WHIP and 70:24 K:BB through 61 innings and will next pitch Sunday at Pittsburgh.

Flaherty allowed one run on three hits with three walks and eight strikeouts across seven frames in a no-decision against the Pirates on Tuesday.

The 23-year-old is still searching for his first win since May 14, but he's now gone seven with one run allowed in each of his last two starts. That's quite an improvement on the 11 runs he yielded in 9.1 innings from June 25 to July 2. Flaherty is 4-6 with a 4.41 ERA, 1.20 WHIP and 115 strikeouts in 104 innings this season. He will again try to get back in the win column in his next start at the Reds on Sunday.

Matz allowed two runs on five hits with one walk and two strikeouts across four innings during a no-decision against the Twins on Tuesday.

Matz was on a 80-pitch limit and ended up throwing 68 pitches in four frames. The pitch count meant a high probability for a no-decision, which is exactly what happened. Matz hasn't recorded a decision since June 24. He is 5-6 with a 4.87 ERA, 1.48 WHIP and 80 strikeouts in 85 innings this season. Hopefully he won't be on such a restrictive pitch count in his next start Sunday at the Giants.

Taillon (elbow) was playing catch from about 90 feet Tuesday, Jason Mackey of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette reports.

Taillon will throw again Wednesday before resting Thursday, and he is expected to resume throwing everyday from that point. The 27-year-old has been on the injured list since early May with the flexor strain in his right elbow and still has significant work to do before making his way back to the majors.

Hill (forearm) is scheduled to play catch Thursday for the first time since going on the injured list June 20, Bill Plunkett of The Orange County Register reports.

Hill initially said it would be 3-to-4 weeks before he returned to throwing, so his recovery appears to be right on schedule. The veteran left-hander is expected to throw from 60 feet for the next two weeks before ramping up his progression. He is hoping to rejoin the Dodgers sometime in September.