MLB Player News

Alcantara (4-6) picked up the win after surrendering one run on eight hits and four walks while striking out six over 7.2 innings Friday against the Phillies.

Alcantara dealt with plenty of traffic on the bases, but he managed to work himself out of trouble for the most part, with his long lone allowed coming in the third inning. The 23-year-old right-hander nearly made it through eight full innings, but he was yanked with two outs in the seventh after 112 pitches (75 strikes). In addition to a losing record, Alcantara has posted a 3.51 ERA and 1.41 WHIP with 64 strikeouts over 89.2 innings.

Darvish allowed four runs over six innings and did not factor into the decision in Friday's loss to the Mets. He gave up just four hits and two walks, while striking out six.

Home runs accounted for most of the damage against Darvish, as he gave up a two-run blast in the third inning and a solo shot in the sixth. The righty has now allowed 16 home runs through 85.1 innings, and he'll need to start limiting the long ball better to cut down his 4.75 ERA. Darvish is scheduled to take the mound again Wednesday against a hot Braves lineup.

Velasquez will start Saturday against Miami, Matt Gelb of The Athletic reports.

Velasquez lost his job as a starter earlier in the season, but no one else has stepped up to claim it, so he'll be given a chance to audition for his previous role. He hasn't been noticeably different as a starter than as a reliever over the course of his career, with a 4.60 ERA in the rotation and a 4.66 mark out of the bullpen.

Irvin was optioned to Triple-A Lehigh Valley on Friday.

Irvin has so far failed to establish himself at the big-league level, recording a 7.82 ERA in 25.1 innings in his debut season. Adam Morgan (forearm) was activated from the injured list to take his place on the roster.

Hendricks (shoulder) played catch on flat ground Friday, Paul Sullivan of the Chicago Tribune reports.

Hendricks landed on the injured list with a right shoulder impingement last weekend, but his return to throwing Friday is a good early sign for his recovery. With that said, the 29-year-old doesn't have a set throwing program going forward and the team will see how he feels Saturday before deciding on the next step.

Keuchel was called up from Double-A Mississippi to start Friday's game at Washington.

Keuchel made one start at Double-A and one start at Low-A over the last two weeks since signing with the Braves and is now primed for his 2019 debut in the majors. The 31-year-old showed no major signs of rust in the minors with three runs allowed across 14 innings, but the first real test will come Friday against the Nationals.

Gomber (biceps), who'd begun throwing at the Cardinals' spring training facility in Jupiter, Fla., recently experienced a setback with shoulder fatigue according to general manager Michael Girsch, Anne Rogers of MLB.com reports.

Gomber remains 7-to-10 days away from being able to throw live batting practice according to Girsch, at which point he'll begin the process of building up his stamina. The southpaw has been on the injured list since mid-May, so he could need several rehab outings prior to activation.

Urias did not factor into the decision against San Francisco on Thursday, pitching three scoreless innings and giving up only one hit while striking out five.

Pressed into a starting role due to the need to give Kenta Maeda (hand) an extra day of rest, Urias rose to the occasion, giving up only a double to Buster Posey while striking out five and throwing 29 of his 43 pitches for strikes. Though he has pitched well of late, holding opponents to only one unearned run in his last 11 innings, Urias figures to remain in the bullpen for the time being; Maeda is lined up to return to action Sunday, and Ross Stripling is expected to fill the rotation spot of Rich Hill (forearm).

Gallen allowed one run on five hits and two walks while striking out six over five innings Thursday against the Cardinals. He didn't factor into the decision.

Gallen looked sharp in his first big-league action, though a high pitch count (99 pitches) forced him to exit the contest after five quality innings. His chief blemish of the night came in the fifth inning, when he allowed an RBI double to tie the game. Considering that Gallen turned in a solid performance, he should have a good chance to stick in the rotation while Pablo Lopez (shoulder) returns to health.

Wainwright allowed three runs on six hits and a walk while striking out six over 5.1 innings Thursday night against the Marlins. He didn't factor into the decision.

Wainwright was reinstated from the 10-day injured list prior to Thursday's start after missing one turn through the rotation due to a hamstring injury. The Marlins struck first in this one with a run in the fourth, and Wainwright would allow two more runs in the sixth before getting yanked. He fired 56 of 86 pitches for strikes and induced six groundouts compared to four flyouts. The 37-year-old right-hander has posted a 4.50 ERA and 1.39 WHIP with 67 punchouts over 76 innings this season.