MLB Player News

Paddack struck out eight over 5.2 scoreless innings for Double-A San Antonio in its 1-0 win over Corpus Christi on Wednesday.

After posting an exemplary 2.24 ERA and 0.90 WHIP over 52.1 innings with High-A Lake Elsinore earlier this season to earn a promotion, Paddack has nearly cut both marks in half since moving to Double-A, submitting a 1.19 ERA and 0.45 WHIP through his first four outings. The 22-year-old might carry more health risk than most pitching prospects with a Tommy John surgery already on his record, but his eye-popping numbers -- he owns a career 213:19 K:BB in 162.2 innings across five different minor-league stops -- have his stock surging.

Fried (finger) will start Saturday's game against the Dodgers, David O'Brien of The Athletic Atlanta reports.

Fried, who dazzled in his last rehab outing (10 strikeouts in 6.2 scoreless innings), should be allowed to stick in the rotation the rest of the way if he performs well. This will allow Sean Newcomb and Julio Teheran to get an extra day of rest. Fried has major strikeout upside, thanks to a monster curveball and 93-mph fastball from the left side. In 33 career innings as a big-league starter, Fried has a 3.27 ERA and 34 strikeouts, but his 1.55 WHIP across those outings illustrates the risk in the profile.

Alcantara (infection) is scheduled to throw 75 pitches in a rehab start for High-A Jupiter on Saturday, Andre Fernandez of the Miami Herald reports.

He will ramp up his workload after throwing two innings in a rehab start for Jupiter on Monday. Alcantara has to build up his workload after hitting the disabled list with an axillary infection on July 3. Once healthy, he could rejoin the big-league rotation.

Gomber is expected to shift to the bullpen after making his first career MLB start Tuesday against the Reds, Joe Trezza of MLB.com reports.

Though Gomber was impressive in the no-decision -- he gave up just two runs on two hits and two walks over 6.1 innings and struck out six -- it doesn't appear the Cardinals are willing to commit to him as a full-time starter just yet. The Cardinals are set to promote Luke Weaver from Low-A Peoria to start Friday against the Cubs and will keep John Gant in the rotation for the series finale Sunday, while Carlos Martinez (oblique) could come off the 10-day disabled list and start as soon as Monday versus the Rockies. Those pitchers would accompany Miles Mikolas and Jack Flaherty to give the Cardinals a five-man staff, leaving no room left over for Gomber. Weaver (4.79 ERA, 1.38 WHIP in 20 starts) and Gant (3.76 ERA, 1.20 WHIP in seven starts) likely don't have much job security, however, so any further poor outings by either pitcher could open the door for Gomber to get a more extended look in the rotation.

Syndergaard (illness) is slated to return to the rotation early next week against the Nationals, Matt Ehalt of The Bergen Record reports.

The Mets have a two-game series in Washington on Tuesday and Wednesday, and Syndergaard is eligible to return on either date. Thursday's starter, Steven Matz, could pitch Tuesday on normal rest, or he could be given an extra day if Syndergaard is ready to return for the first game of that series. This latest DL stint was due to hand, foot and mouth disease. Syndergaard last pitched July 20 against the Yankees, giving up one run on eight hits while striking out four over five innings.

Suarez was officially recalled from Triple-A Lehigh Valley prior to his start Thursday against the Reds.

While Suarez is not considered a high-ceiling pitching prospect, his ascent through the Phillies' system this year has been quite impressive. The 22-year-old lefty posted a 2.38 ERA, 1.15 WHIP and 66:24 K:BB in 90.2 innings between Double-A and Triple-A, all while giving up just two home runs. Keeping the ball in the park will be crucial in his big-league debut, as he will be pitching in hitter-friendly Great American Ball Park. This is only expected to be a spot start for Suarez, as the Phillies can move back to a five-man rotation, but if he impresses he would be a top option the next time the Phillies need a spot starter.

Milone was called up from Triple-A Syracuse prior to Thursday's start against Miami, Jorge Castillo of The Washington Post reports.

As expected, Milone's contract was purchased from the minors in order for him to make a spot start in the place of Stephen Strasburg (neck). In a corresponding move, Jose Marmolejos was designated for assignment and sent off the 40-man roster. Milone previously appeared in 17 games (eight starts) split between the Brewers and Mets last season, logging a 7.63 ERA and 1.63 WHIP.

Strasburg was placed on the 10-day disabled list Wednesday due to a pinched nerve in his neck, Chelsea Janes of The Washington Post reports.

There was some speculation that Strasburg's surprise move to the DL ahead of his scheduled start Thursday against the Marlins was due to renewed inflammation in his throwing shoulder, but the neck issue looks to be an unrelated setback. The Nationals haven't provided a projected timeline for Strasburg's return, but he would be eligible to return as soon as Aug. 1, which would force him to only miss out on one start. Tommy Milone will have his contract purchased from Triple-A Syracuse and start Thursday's series opener in Miami in Strasburg's stead.

The Nationals will promote Milone from Triple-A Syracuse to start Thursday's game against the Marlins, Jamal Collier of MLB.com reports.

Stephen Strasburg had been slated to take the hill Thursday for his second start since returning from the 10-day disabled list last weekend, but the Nationals ended up moving him back to the DL on Wednesday with an unspecified setback. If Strasburg is forced to miss the minimum 10 days, Milone would likely line up for one turn in the Washington rotation, as a July 30 off-day would allow the team to temporarily get by with a four-man rotation after the lefty makes his spot start. Milone has posted a 4.19 ERA and 113:24 K:BB in 109.2 innings with Syracuse on the campaign.

Strasburg was placed on the 10-day disabled list Wednesday with an undisclosed issue, Chelsea Janes of The Washington Post reports.

Strasburg returned from an extended absence due to shoulder inflammation and started July 20 against the Braves, giving up six runs on eight hits and two walks over 4.2 innings. He had been listed as the Nationals' probable starter for Thursday's series opener against the Marlins before his name appeared on the MLB.com transactions log with the DL designation. The details behind the surprise return to the DL aren't fully known, but Janes relays that it's expected that Strasburg suffered a setback related to his shoulder. The Nationals haven't named a replacement starter for Thursday's game, but Jamal Collier of MLB.com reports that the team intends to promote Tommy Milone from Triple-A Syracuse to take the hill. Strasburg is eligible to return from the DL on Aug. 1.