MLB Player News

Conlon was optioned to Triple-A Las Vegas on Friday.

Conlon threw a pair of scoreless innings against the Phillies on Tuesday, his only action in his latest big-league stint. He was optioned to make room for Noah Syndergaard (finger), who was activated from the disabled list in a corresponding move.

Syndergaard (finger) was reinstated from the disabled list ahead of his start versus Washington on Friday.

As expected, Syndergaard will come off the shelf after spending the past seven weeks recovering from a strained ligament in his right index finger. Over 11 starts this year, he's logged a 3.06 ERA and 1.18 WHIP with a 76:13 K:BB across 64.2 innings. In a corresponding move, P.J. Conlon was optioned to the minors.

Stripling (8-2) allowed six hits and one walk while striking out five across six shutout innings to earn the win Thursday against the Padres.

Stripling had little trouble dispatching the poor Padres' lineup and recorded his first start since June 5 without allowing a home run. As has been the case all season, he exhibited pinpoint control, throwing 58 of his 90 pitches for strikes while also getting ahead of 16 of the 25 batters he faced. The effort brought his walk rate down to 1.3 BB/9, the driving force behind his 1.08 WHIP.

Freeland (8-6) allowed one run over 5.1 innings in a no-decision Thursday against the Diamondbacks. He struck out four batters and surrendered just one walk.

Although he didn't get the win, Freeland pitched well once again, allowing two-or-less runs for the sixth straight start. Freeland's ERA in that stretch is a strong 1.93. Freeland doesn't offer great strikeout upside with just 92 strikeouts over 115.2 innings this season, but he excels at limiting damage and putting himself in position to pick up wins. He'll make his next start after the All-Star break.

Ray (3-2) took the loss Thursday, allowing two earned runs over 5.1 innings. He struck out eight while giving up three walks and five hits.

The Diamondbacks didn't give Ray any run support aside from the one run in the first inning, but it still wasn't the lefty's sharpest outing. His command was off as he threw just 62 of his 102 pitches for strikes. Ray's three walks marked his seventh start with at least three free passes allowed. The silver lining to Ray's start Thursday was that he kept the ball in the yard in Colorado after giving up five long balls in his last two outings. He'll make his next start after the All-Star break.

Matz (4-7) allowed three earned runs on eight hits and two walks while striking out four across 6.1 innings to take the loss Thursday against the Nationals.

Matz was taken deep twice -- both homers came off the bat of Anthony Rendon -- which accounted for all three of his earned runs. He scattered six other hits -- none for extra-bases -- but was able to avoid more damage to his ERA by stranding five runners in scoring position. This was hardly his strongest effort -- he generated only four swinging strikes -- but his velocity was up from him season averages so there are no obvious signs of fatigue. Matz now has a 3.38 ERA and 1.25 WHIP through 96 innings, putting him well on his way to rebounding from a disappointing 2017 season.

Miley (1-1) pitched five innings Thursday, allowing two runs on four hits and five walks in the 6-3 loss to the Pirates. He struck out five and was handed a loss.

Miley made just his second start of the season and first since May 2 after a trip to the disabled list with an oblique injury. He obviously struggled with his command and needed 95 pitches to finish five frames. Miley now owns a 2.38 ERA and 9:9 K:BB ratio in 11.1 innings. He'll look to get back in the win column at home against the Dodgers next Friday.

Taillon (6-7) struck out 10 batters in six innings Thursday, allowing just one run on four hits (including a home run) and two walks in the 6-3 win over Milwaukee.

Aside from a solo homer off the bat of Jesus Aguilar, Taillon was in the zone Thursday, fanning a season-high 10 hitters. The solid performance lowered his ERA to 3.91, the lowest it's been since mid-April. He owns a 103:30 K:BB this season with a 20:5 during the month of July. He'll face the Reds in Cincinnati next Friday.

Lucchesi will pitch in a minor-league game over the All-Star break before rejoining the Padres' rotation early in the second half, Dennis Lin of The Athletic San Diego reports.

The Padres, who optioned Lucchesi on Thursday, will keep the lefty on schedule during the break so that he stays in his normal rhythm. Lin reports that Lucchesi will be limited to three-to-four innings during his start at Triple-A El Paso. Once the Padres return to action July 20, Lucchesi will likely be recalled soon thereafter.

Lucchesi was optioned to Triple-A El Paso on Thursday, Kevin Acee of The San Diego Union-Tribune reports.

Lucchesi lasted just four innings in his last start Wednesday against the Dodgers, giving up three runs (two earned) and striking out four. Despite a solid 3.34 ERA and 1.22 WHIP through 67.2 innings this season, he'll head to the minor leagues, although he figures to return to the big club shortly after the All-Star break.