MLB Player News

Parsons was optioned to Triple-A Gwinnett on Sunday.

Parsons has a mediocre 4.35 ERA and a poor 10:8 K:BB in 10.1 frames of relief this season. He'll make way for new acquisition Jonny Venters, acquired in a trade from Oakland earlier in the day.

Martinez (shoulder) threw a successful bullpen session Friday and is comfortable with the team's decision to utilize him as a reliever when he's activated, Jenifer Langosch of MLB.com reports. "Right now, I'm going to help the team from the bullpen," he added. "Maybe after the All-Star break I can get back to starting."

Martinez's words speak to the fact he's looking forward to returning to the rotation at some point, but the team hasn't given any official indication that's currently in the plans. The team medical staff will meet with Martinez before the weekend is out to map out the rest of his rehab process, which likely includes a live batting practice session against High-A Palm Beach hitters as the next step. Martinez also declared himself at "85 percent" Saturday, implying he's still multiple weeks from returning.

Wacha (knee) has officially been designated as the starting pitcher for Monday's game against the Nationals, Jenifer Langosch of MLB.com reports.

The right-hander was apparently feeling well enough Saturday after a bullpen session Friday for the Cardinals to announce the move. If Wacha does indeed take the hill versus Washington on Monday, it will mean he only missed one start while on the 10-day injured list.

Gray stuck out our and didn't factor into the decision in Saturday's 9-5 win over Atlanta. He gave up five runs on eight hits and three walks over 4.2 innings.

The right-hander wasn't sharp, throwing 54 of 87 pitches for strikes before hitting the showers, and Gray was on the hook for his fourth loss of the year before the Rockies staged a ninth-inning comeback. He'll take a 3.65 ERA and 34:16 K:BB in 37 innings into his next start Thursday in Milwaukee.

Syndergaard (1-3) took the loss Saturday as the Mets fell 8-6 to the Brewers. He gave up five runs on 10 hits and three walks while striking out five over five innings.

A pair of solo homers in the fourth inning highlighted the Brewers' barrage against Thor. Syndergaard's been a shadow of his former self to begin the season, coughing up at least four runs in five of his six starts, and while his 39:10 K:BB through 34 innings is strong, his 6.35 ERA is anything but. He'll try to turn things around Thursday, at home against the Reds.

Lauer struck out six and allowed two runs on two hits and three walks across 5.2 innings in a no-decision against the Nationals on Saturday.

The 23-year-old nearly held the Nationals scoreless through six innings, but he allowed a game-tying homer with two outs in the sixth on the last pitch he threw. Still, it was a strong outing for Lauer, who has been searching for some consistency since throwing six scoreless innings in his first outing of the year. Lauer is 2-3 with a 4.41 ERA, 1.32 WHIP and 29 strikeouts in 32.2 innings. His next outing will likely be on the road Thursday against the Braves.

Strasburg allowed two runs on four hits with nine strikeouts and only one walk across seven innings in a no-decision against the Padres on Saturday.

The only runs Strasburg yielded came via the home run, which has been an issue for him this season. He's tossed up six homers in six starts, giving him a career-high 1.4 HR/9 this year. However, the plethora of home runs Strasburg has allowed might not be a reason to be too concerned because his flyball percentage is actually lower than it was a year ago. The reason for the increased homers allowed is his HR/FB is about seven percent higher than it was in 2018, which could fall back down to earth in a larger sample size. Overall, Strasburg is 2-1 with a 3.82 ERA, 1.01 WHIP and 48 strikeouts in 37.2 innings this season. His next scheduled start is Thursday at home against the Cardinals.

Kershaw (1-0) allowed one run on four hits while striking out eight over seven innings in a win over Pittsburgh on Saturday. He did not issue a walk.

The Pirates manufactured a run in the third inning on a single, a sacrifice bunt and another single, but otherwise they couldn't get anything going against Kershaw and company. Kershaw threw 67 of 101 pitches for strikes and induced 15 swinging strikes in his third start back from the injured list. He's not getting the fastball velocity back, but Kershaw's secondaries are great and he just has to lean more heavily on those pitches at this stage of his career. Up next is a road start in San Diego.

Musgrove (1-2) allowed three runs on seven hits and one walk while striking out five over 6.2 innings in a loss to the Dodgers on Saturday.

After outdueling Clayton Kershaw through six innings, Musgrove wasn't quite as sharp in the seventh, and the defense behind him let him down. In fact, it seems likely Major League Baseball will change Austin Barnes' single in the seventh inning to an error on shortstop Cole Tucker upon review. Either way, it was another encouraging outing from Musgrove, who is missing more bats early on despite a dip in velocity. The right-hander lines up for a home start against Oakland next weekend.

Woodruff (3-1) struck out six and picked up the win over the Mets on Saturday, allowing one run on six hits and a walk over five innings.

This was arguably as sharp as the right-hander has looked all season, although Woodruff did sprinkle in an HBP and a wild pitch among his 87 pitches (58 strikes). He'll take a 5.17 ERA and strong 38:10 K:BB through 31.1 innings into his next start Thursday, at home against the Rockies.