MLB Player News

Lucchesi will start Sunday's game against the Dodgers.

Manager Andy Green decided to alter the Padres' pitching schedule this weekend, bumping Lucchesi ahead of Bryan Mitchell in the order to give the rookie an opportunity to pitch against a tough Dodgers squad that is in the midst of a pennant race. After pitching Sunday on four days' rest, Lucchesi will likely take the hill for the final time in 2018 next weekend at home against Arizona.

DeSclafani (7-7) took the loss Saturday, coughing up five runs (three earned) on six hits and a walk over 5.2 innings while striking out 10 as the Reds fell 5-1 to the Marlins.

The right-hander didn't get much help from his offense, but the unearned runs were entirely of his own making, as he committed two errors in the fourth inning to help put the first two runs of the game on the board. The 10 strikeouts were a career high for DeSclafani, but he's been far from a fantasy asset down the stretch, posting a 6.56 ERA, 1.57 WHIP, 2.0 HR/9 and 38:10 K:BB over his last 35.2 innings. He's set for one more start this season at home Saturday against the Pirates.

Williams (14-9) picked up the win in Saturday's 3-0 victory over the Brewers, scattering four hits and a walk over six scoreless innings while striking out seven.

Milwaukee was only able to get one runner into scoring position against the 26-year-old, putting runners on first and second with two outs in the third inning, but Williams erased the threat immediately by getting Ryan Braun to ground into a fielder's choice with his next pitch. Williams has now held his opposition off the board in an astounding eight of his last 12 starts dating back to July 11, going 8-2 with a 1.00 ERA, 1.02 WHIP and 54:20 K:BB in 71.2 innings over that stretch. He'll get one more chance to play spoiler in the NL playoff picture in a road outing against the Cubs on Thursday.

Davies (2-7) took the loss Saturday, allowing two runs on four hits and a walk over four innings while striking out three as the Brewers fell 3-0 to the Pirates.

The right-hander remains winless since coming off the disabled list at the beginning of September -- in fact, Davies has lost five straight decisions dating back to April 29. He'll get one more chance to notch a victory when he takes his 4.65 ERA to the mound at home Friday against the Tigers.

Nix (2-4) allowed six earned runs on six hits and no walks while striking out two across 2.1 innings to take the loss Saturday against the Dodgers.

Nix's outing immediately got off to a shaky start, as he was taken deep for a leadoff homer by Joc Pederson. Things didn't get much better for him as the game went on, as he gave up three doubles and a three-run homer in the third inning prior to getting yanked. He now has a 6.81 ERA and 1.49 WHIP across 38.1 innings at the major-league level.

Hill (10-5) allowed one earned run on four hits and zero walks while striking out seven across seven innings to earn the win Saturday against the Padres.

Hill had little trouble working through the Padres order, with the only run he surrendered coming on a solo shot by Hunter Renfroe. It was a slump-busting start for Hill, as he entered Saturday's start having allowed four earned runs in three consecutive outings. Despite that stretch, Hill has put together another effective campaign -- when he was able to take the mound -- posting a 3.87 ERA and 1.17 WHIP to go along with 143 strikeouts across 125.2 innings.

Corbin (11-7) allowed four earned runs on five hits and four walks while striking out five across three innings to take the loss Saturday against the Rockies.

Corbin put three runners on base in the first inning but appeared to settle in during the second frame by striking out three batters. However, Corbin found himself in trouble again in the third inning, allowing three baserunners -- all of which came around to score -- via a walk or hit by pitch. His struggle with command appears to be an isolated problem, as he entered the game not having allowed multiple walks in his previous five starts. He'll look to bounce back in his next start, Friday against the Padres.

Senzatela (6-6) allowed allowed one earned run on three hits and no walks while striking out four across seven innings to earn the win Saturday against the Diamondbacks.

Senzatela retired the first 14 batters he faced before A.J. Pollock broke up his perfect game with a solo home run. That was the lone run Senzatela allowed, and he has now surrendered just two earned runs across his last two starts -- a span of 12 innings. Since joining the rotation on July 3, Senzatela has seen his ERA improve from 6.23 to 4.52.

Urena (8-12) recorded the win Saturday after throwing 5.2 scoreless innings against the Reds, allowing three hits and one walk, and striking out two. He said after the game that he's feeling tightness in the IT band of his right knee but expects to make his next start Friday, Andre Fernandez of The Athletic reports.

The righty will get an extra day off next week before his scheduled turn against the Mets. Following this strong effort, Urena owns a 4.07 ERA with a 6.9 K/9 and 2.5 BB/9 in 30 starts. His next assignment presents another chance to stream him, especially for fantasy players desperate for late-season spot starts.

Gray will start against the Phillies on Tuesday, Thomas Harding of MLB.com reports.

The right-hander's rotation spot has been in jeopardy ever since a recent shaky three-start stretch, but Gray, who owns a 5.07 ERA this season, said he looked at old photos of his college delivery and noticed the difference in his balance. Gray also threw a 15-to-20-pitch session Saturday in which he tried to merely throw, instead of thinking about mechanics. His recent form makes him a risky fantasy play for the Coors Field appearance, but his 4.78 home ERA still tops his 5.34 elsewhere. Plus, streamers looking for any sign of life as they chase a winning finish to their fantasy season should be inclined to take the chance, considering he still boasts a 9.6 K/9 and 2.7 BB/9 -- along with more positive reflections in his 4.01 FIP and 3.46 xFIP.