MLB Player News

Soroka could be a candidate to make a spot start for the Braves in Thursday's game against the Diamondbacks, Kevin McAlpin of 680 The Fan Atlanta reports.

The Braves have opened up two spots in their rotation over the last two days by sending struggling starters Kyle Wright and Sean Newcomb to Triple-A Gwinnett. Touki Toussaint, who was dynamite in relief of Newcomb in Saturday's win over the Mets, will likely claim one of those spots, while the other will be filled when Mike Foltynewicz (elbow) is back from the injured list. Since Foltynewicz isn't on track to return before Saturday, however, the Braves will require a spot starter either Thursday or Friday (at Cleveland). Since Soroka last pitched at Triple-A on April 12, it would make sense for the Braves to turn to him Thursday, when he would be available on five days' rest. If Soroka does in fact get the call and impresses in the outing, he could stick around for further starts.

Toussaint is expected to enter the Braves' rotation Friday in Cleveland, Kevin McAlpin of 680 The Fan Atlanta reports.

The Braves' decision to demote struggling starter Sean Newcomb to Triple-A Gwinnett on Sunday clears an opening in the rotation for another arm, with Toussaint seemingly representing the top option. After Newcomb failed to escape the second inning in Saturday's game against the Mets, Toussaint grabbed the win in relief while striking out seven over six innings and surrendering an unearned run on four hits and two walks. Toussaint's poor control can occasionally lead to some crooked stat lines, but his plus curveball will give him plenty of strikeout upside even if there's more volatility with his ERA and WHIP.

Hill (knee) is scheduled to throw four innings or about 60 pitches during his first minor-league rehab start Wednesday, which will come at High-A Rancho Cucamonga or Triple-A Oklahoma City, Bill Plunkett of The Orange County Register reports.

Hill completed a 46-pitch simulated game Friday followed by 15 pitches in the bullpen, clearing the way for his rehab assignment. The 39-year-old figures to need at least one additional rehab start if all goes well, which could allow him to return to the Dodgers before the end of April.

Lyles will make his next start Friday against the Giants, Adam Berry of MLB.com reports.

Lyles initially lined up to pitch Wednesday in Detroit, but with two off days this week and Chris Archer beginning to serve his five-game suspension, the Pirates decided to shuffle their rotation a bit. Lyles has been fantastic through his first two starts with a 0.82 ERA, 0.91 WHIP and 12:4 K:BB across 11 innings.

Williams will start Wednesday's series finale against the Tigers, Adam Berry of MLB.com reports.

Williams originally lined up to start Friday against the Giants, but with two off days this week and Chris Archer now serving his five-game suspension, the Pirates will opt to push Williams up one game. The 26-year-old has a 2.45 ERA, 0.98 WHIP and 12:4 K:BB over his first three starts (18.1 innings).

Davies (2-0) picked up the win in Saturday's 4-1 victory over the Dodgers, allowing one run on eight hits over seven innings while striking out six.

A Cody Bellinger solo shot in the fourth inning was all the offense L.A. could muster against the right-hander. Davies now boasts a 1.53 ERA, but his 13:6 K:BB through 17.2 innings is less than dominant. He'll face off against the Dodgers in a rematch back in Milwaukee on Thursday.

Gray (calf) has improved enough that the Reds believe that he'll make his next start Wednesday in Los Angeles, Mark Sheldon of MLB.com reports. "He's moving around great," Reds manager David Bell said. "I did talk to him, and he's moving well. That's a great sign. As of right now, he's on track."

It's also encouraging that Gray was able to pitch after getting hit by the comeback on the calf in his last start. The matchup against the Dodgers isn't great, but with Alex Wood out, the Reds are thankful that they don't appear that they will have to test their depth even further.

Kelly didn't factor into the decision in Saturday's 5-4 loss to the Padres, giving up four runs on eight hits and a walk over five innings while striking out five.

The right-hander left the game after 95 pitches (60 strikes) headed for his second loss of the year, but a four-run sixth inning by Arizona took Kelly off the hook. He's been solid so far in his return to North America, posting a 3.79 ERA and 17:3 K:BB through 19 innings, and Kelly will look to get back in the win column Friday on the road against the Cubs.

Toussaint (1-0) picked up the win Saturday, giving up one unearned run on four hits and two walks over six innings of relief while striking out seven in an 11-7 victory over the Mets.

After Sean Newcomb fell apart and got the hook in the second inning, Toussaint entered the game and gave Atlanta the equivalent of a quality start. The right-hander threw 53 of 85 pitches for strikes, and at the least he put himself in consideration for a rotation spot -- whether as the Braves' fifth starter, or even in place of the struggling Newcomb. Given his heavy workload in this game, however, Toussaint could also head right back to Triple-A Gwinnett in the short term for a fresh bullpen arm.

Wainwright (1-1) took the loss against the Reds in Mexico as he allowed two runs on three hits across six innings. He struck out four and walked two.

Wainwright carried a no hitter into the sixth inning but served up a pair of solo home runs to end his afternoon after six-plus frames. The Cardinals' offense went 1-for-12 with runners in scoring position, saddling the veteran right-hander with his first loss of the season. Wainwright next figures to take the mound Friday against the Mets.