MLB Player News

Velasquez won't start any of the Phillies' first four games of the week and could work out of the bullpen through the All-Star break, Matt Gelb of The Athletic reports.

Thanks to an off day Monday, the Phillies will be able to reorganize their rotation and set ace Aaron Nola up for a two-start week. Philadelphia will require a fifth starter again Saturday against the Mets in New York, but Velasquez may not be available to slot back into the rotation if he's needed in relief in any of the prior four games. After a strong five-inning, one-hit showing at home versus the Marlins on June 22, Velasquez faltered in his rematch in Miami on Friday, lasting just 4.1 frames while giving up four runs on six hits and two walks.

Nola is scheduled to make his next start Tuesday against the Braves, Matt Gelb of The Athletic reports.

Nick Pivetta was initially ahead of Nola in the Phillies' pitching schedule, but skipper Gabe Kapler will take advantage of Monday's off day and reorder the rotation before the All-Star break. With Nola now set to take the hill on his normal four days' rest rather than five, he'll line up for a two-start week, with his second turn coming Sunday against the Mets in New York.

Martinez (2-0) was credited with the win in an extra-innings victory over the Padres on Sunday, recording four strikeouts while allowing a hit and a walk over 2.2 scoreless innings.

Martinez's ability to work multiple innings was invaluable Sunday, as the former starter threw a total of 41 pitches while preserving some of his bullpen mates' arms on a busy day for the relief corps overall. The right-hander was recently named the primary closer in the wake of Jordan Hicks' season-ending UCL tear, and it was announced at the time that he would likely get the occasional extended save opportunity. Martinez actually entered Sunday's game with the score knotted at 3-3 in the bottom of the eighth and ultimately served as a bridge into extra innings. The outing was Martinez's first taste of action since June 21, as the Cardinals' general inability to muster offense lately hasn't created save chances.

Syndergaard did not factor into the decision against the Braves on Sunday, pitching 5.2 innings and allowing three runs on seven hits and three walks while striking out five.

Pitching in the majors for the first time in 15 days due to a hamstring injury, Syndergaard was one out away from a quality start despite allowing 10 baserunners. He struggled at times with his control -- the three walks tied a season high -- but managed to keep Atlanta batters on their heels, inducing 17 swinging strikes. The 26-year-old has improved his numbers after struggling through April but still holds an uncharacteristic 4.56 ERA and 1.24 WHIP through 16 starts. He'll close out the first half with a home matchup against Philadelphia on Sunday.

Fried did not factor into the decision versus the Mets on Sunday, pitching five innings and allowing three runs on eight hits and one walk while striking out six.

Fried gave up three runs in his first three innings of work but held the Mets scoreless over his final two frames before being lifted for a pinch hitter in the sixth. All of the hits he allowed were singles, and Sunday marked the third straight game in which he did not yield a home run. After a rough four-start stretch in which he gave up 17 earned runs in 20.1 innings, Fried has shown improvement by allowing seven earned runs over his last 17 frames. He'll head home to face the Marlins on Saturday in his next scheduled start.

Lucchesi did not factor into the decision against the Cardinals on Sunday, tossing 5.1 innings and allowing two runs on four hits and three walks while striking out six.

Lucchesi breezed through five scoreless innings to begin his outing but was pulled after allowing two walks and a single to load the bases with one out in the fifth. Luis Perdomo then came on in relief and struck out his first batter before giving up a two-run single to Yairo Munoz, with both runs charged to Lucchesi. Lucchesi has now allowed three earned runs or fewer in 11 of his 16 starts this season, compiling a 3.91 ERA, 1.13 WHIP and 88:26 K:BB in 89.2 innings. He'll have a road matchup against the Dodgers on Friday in his next scheduled start.

Mikolas did not factor into the decision against the Padres on Sunday, completing six innings and giving up three runs on eight hits while striking out four.

Mikolas fell behind after serving up a two-run homer to Manny Machado in the first inning but settled down to keep the Cardinals in the game until he was lifted for a pinch hitter in the seventh inning. As usual, he did not blow away many batters -- this was his fifth consecutive start in which he struck out exactly four -- but he was able to limit the damage against him by giving up only one two extra-base hits and not issuing any walks. The 30-year-old has been mildly disappointing this season, compiling a 4.34 ERA and 1.25 WHIP through 17 starts. He'll head to San Francisco to take on the Giants on Saturday in his next scheduled start.

Ray (5-6) allowed four runs on six hits and three walks across four innings Sunday to take the loss against the Giants. He struck out five.

Ray put runners on base at a high rate in this one, conceding two runs in both the second and third innings before his removal following the fourth. He needed 83 pitches to complete four frames, snapping a streak of five consecutive starts of at least six innings. Ray also had four quality starts during that stretch but will face a tough task as he tries to bounce back in his next start at home against the Rockies.

Maeda allowed two runs on three hits and two walks while striking out five over 4.1 innings in a no-decision against the Rockies on Sunday.

Maeda cruised through the first four innings, though he ran into trouble in the bottom of the fifth, surrendering two runs before getting yanked. The 31-year-old right-hander has given up just two runs in each of his last three starts, though he was unable to work deep into the ballgame Sunday afternoon. Maeda now owns a 3.78 ERA and 1.10 WHIP with 88 strikeouts across 88 frames.

Ray (5-6) allowed four runs on six hits and three walks across four innings Sunday to take the loss against the Giants. He struck out five.

Ray put runners on base at a high rate in this one, conceding two runs in both the second and third innings before his removal following the fourth. He needed 83 pitches to complete four frames, snapping a streak of five consecutive starts of at least six innings. Ray also had four quality starts during that stretch but will face a tough task as he tries to bounce back in his next start at home against the Rockies.