MLB Player News

Martinez (6-4) picked up the win in Saturday's 3-2 victory over the Giants, allowing one run on six hits over seven innings while striking out three.

It's the right-hander's third straight win and ninth quality start of the season, and Martinez even helped himself out at the plate, driving in the first run of the game with an RBI double in the third inning. He's put his June troubles firmly behind him and will take a 3.05 ERA into his next outing Saturday at home against the Reds.

Taillon (5-7) took the loss Saturday as the Pirates fell 3-2 to the Phillies, giving up three runs on five hits over 6.2 innings while striking out six.

The right-hander cruised through six scoreless innings and seemed to be in complete control, but things fell apart for Taillon in the seventh. He threw 60 of 77 pitches for strikes en route to his eighth quality start of the season, and he'll carry a 4.05 ERA into his next outing Thursday at home against the Brewers.

Matz (4-6) allowed one earned run on five hits and three walks while striking out five across 6.1 innings to take the loss Saturday against the Rays.

Four of the five hits Matz allowed went for extra bases, but he used timely strikeouts and groundouts to limit the damage. He has been on a nice run, lowering his ERA from 4.42 to 3.31 over his last 10 starts while allowing only six home runs in 57 innings. Though he hasn't been rewarded with wins, Matz has also done well working deeper into games as he has completed at least six innings in five of his last seven starts after accomplishing that only twice in his first 10 starts this season.

Eflin (finger) will start in Monday's doubleheader against the Mets, Meghan Montemurro of The Athletic Philadelphia reports.

Eflin originally expected to pitch Sunday's series finale against the Pirates, but the Phillies will give him an additional day to rest up after leaving Tuesday's start with a blister. Regardless, it's a good sign for the 24-year-old that the blister remains a minor issue.

Buehler (ribs) will throw a simulated game Sunday, Bill Plunkett of The Orange County Register reports.

Buehler threw a bullpen session Friday which potentially set him up to start against the Padres on Monday. Instead, the Dodgers plan to have him throw what's expected to be a five-inning simulated game Sunday with Rich Hill's neck issue not expected to force the veteran southpaw to miss a start. Manager Dave Roberts indicated he would like Buehler to start a game next weekend prior to the All-Star break, but it remains to be seen whether that would be at the major-league level or somewhere in the minors.

Hill (neck) is still sore but expects to be available for Tuesday's scheduled start against the Padres, Ken Gurnick of MLB.com reports.

Hill exited Wednesday's game against the Padres with neck tightness after sliding into home plate but currently appears on track to pitch Tuesday. The 38-year-old's injury history provides some reason for skepticism, but how the veteran lefty feels come Sunday and Monday should give a better idea of how likely he is to pitch.

Maeda was placed on the paternity list Saturday, Fabian Ardaya of The Athletic Los Angeles reports.

Maeda pitched 5.2 strong innings in a no-decision Friday, so this is unlikely to affect his next scheduled start -- Wednesday against the Padres. Recent trade acquisition Dylan Floro takes Maeda's spot on the 25-man roster to provide some bullpen help for the Dodgers.

Smoker was optioned to Triple-A Indianapolis on Saturday, Adam Berry of MLB.com reports.

Smoker allowed three runs on two hits in two appearances since being recalled Wednesday, and will return to Triple-A in favor of a fresh arm. The 29-year-old has a 2.59 ERA and 1.05 WHIP across 31.1 innings for Indianapolis this season.

Strasburg (shoulder) will make two rehab starts beginning Tuesday, putting him on track to rejoin the Nationals' rotation for the first game after the All-Star break, Chelsea Janes of The Washington Post reports.

"If he feels fine, he'll go out Tuesday, and we'll see how he feels then and then maybe one more," manager Dave Martinez said after Strasburg threw 50 pitches to hitters in a simulated game Friday. "But very encouraging. He looked very good." The right-hander has missed a month so far with shoulder inflammation, and his absence has been glaring -- the Nats have the league's worst ERA from their rotation since Strasburg went down.

Maeda didn't factor into the decision against the Angels on Friday despite a strong outing that saw him give up one earned run on three hits over 5.2 innings, striking out nine and walking two in the Dodgers' eventual 3-2 defeat.

Maeda has been on fire over his last three starts, as he's now yielded just three earned runs and struck out 27 batters over his last 19.2 innings. He boasts a solid 3.24 ERA, 1.25 WHIP and a 98:31 K:BB through 80.1 innings this season, and will look to keep his recent form going on the road against the Padres next Wednesday.