MLB Player News

Keuchel (1-2) took the loss Tuesday against the Phillies after giving up two runs on five hits across seven innings. He had three strikeouts and two walks.

Keuchel posted his best start as a Brave on Tuesday but was still handed the loss with opposing starter Aaron Nola delivering eight scoreless frames. Keuchel didn't have great command as he threw only 55 of his 97 pitches for strikes, but true to form he still induced 12 groundball outs. The 31-year-old has a 4.08 ERA, 1.47 WHIP and 8:5 K:BB through his first three starts and lines up for another outing before the All-Star break Sunday versus the Marlins.

Anderson allowed two earned runs on five hits and no walks while striking out two across 5.2 innings of work Tuesday against the Reds. He did not factor into the decision.

Anderson surrendered a two-run home run to Eugenio Suarez in the first inning. However, he shut the door thereafter, allowing only three hits across his final 4.2 innings of work. Despite pitching for one of the better teams in the National League, Anderson has lacked the chance for wins, managing to work more than five innings only three times in his past 10 starts. Still, he's struck out 63 batters across 62.2 innings while also maintaining a respectable 4.31 ERA and 1.29 WHIP. He'll draw the Brewers' final start prior to the All-Star break on Sunday against the Pirates.

Nola (7-2) had eight strikeouts and allowed only four hits and three walks over eight shutout innings to earn the win Tuesday in Atlanta.

Nola has now allowed only two runs (one earned) and 11 hits in his last three starts and has a 28:5 K:BB across 23 innings. The 26-year-old has a 3.89 ERA, 1.33 WHIP and 118:41 K:BB through 18 starts and lines up for one more start before the All-Star break Sunday against the Mets.

Wheeler allowed two earned runs on five hits and a walk while striking out eight across 6.1 innings Tuesday against the Yankees. He did not factor into the decision.

Wheeler ran into some trouble in the second inning, allowing three consecutive singles to begin the frame. However, he closed the outing with 4.1 shutout innings of work, allowing just one total extra-base hit. Though he has a slightly inflated 4.42 ERA, Wheeler has been working deep into contests nearly the entire season, allowing him to rack up 123 strikeouts across 115 innings. He'll close out the first half of the season for the Mets with a start Sunday against the Phillies.

Wood (back) is scheduled to throw another bullpen session Wednesday, Bobby Nightengale of The Cincinnati Enquirer reports.

Wood suffered a setback a week ago prior to embarking on a rehab assignment, but it's good news that he's been given the green light to toss a bullpen. If Wednesday's throwing session goes according to plan, he should be ready to go back out on a minor-league stint in the near future.

Velasquez has been named the starting pitcher for Friday's game against the Mets, Matt Gelb of The Athletic reports.

It was initially reported that Velasquez would work out of the bullpen until the All-Star break, but skipper Gabe Kapler appears to have changed his mind on the matter. Following Velasquez's outing, Jake Arrieta will take the ball Saturday and Aaron Nola will make the team's final start before the break.

Matz will pitch out of the bullpen until the All-Star Game and may remain a reliever to start the second half of the season, Tim Healey of Newsday reports.

It initially looked like the Mets skipped Matz's upcoming outing in an effort to give Zack Wheeler a two-start week, though Matz has struggled to a 7.36 ERA in June (29.1 innings), putting his spot in the rotation in jeopardy. Skipper Mickey Calaway has yet to decide what role Matz will take on following the Midsummer Classic, per Mike Mazzeo of Yahoo Sports.

Wheeler, who will start Tuesday's game against the Yankees, is slated to receive his second turn of the week Sunday against the Phillies, Anthony DiComo of MLB.com reports.

Due to off days Monday and Thursday this week, the Mets have elected to shorten their rotation to four men, with Steven Matz temporarily moving to the bullpen as a result. Manager Mickey Callaway's choice to steer away from Matz should translate to a heavier innings load this week for Wheeler, who now has two chances to capture wins, albeit with a pair of tough matchups.

Flexen was optioned to Triple-A Syracuse on Tuesday, Anthony DiComo of MLB.com reports.

Flexen joined the big club in mid-June and posted a 3.68 ERA with nine punchouts over 7.1 innings before being demoted. Jeurys Familia (shoulder) and Luis Avilan (elbow) were activated from the injured list, while Luis Guillorme was recalled from Triple-A in the Mets' flurry of roster moves.

The Mets will skip Matz's next scheduled start Saturday against the Phillies, Anthony DiComo of MLB.com reports.

Matz was on track to toe the rubber one final time prior to the All-Star break, but New York will roll with Noah Syndergaard on Saturday and Zack Wheeler on Sunday to close out the first half of the season. Per DiComo, manager Mickey Callaway said that he expects Matz to return to the rotation after the All-Star break, though he wouldn't firmly commit to the lefty reclaiming his usual starting role.