MLB Player News

Nola pitched seven strong innings Wednesday against the Orioles, improving to 11-2 on the season after allowing just a single run on seven hits and a pair of walks while striking out nine batters.

Nola allowed at least one baserunner in every inning but never allowed more than two, limiting the damage to just a third-inning RBI double by Adam Jones. The end result was yet another solid outing for the Phillies' ace, who has tossed a quality start in 14 of his last 16 trips to the mound. He'll next take the hill Monday against the Mets.

Urias (shoulder) threw a bullpen session Monday, touching 91 mph with his fastball, Bill Plunkett of The Orange County Register reports.

Urias hasn't pitched at the big-league level since last May after undergoing shoulder surgery. His fastball averaged 93 mph prior to his injury, so it's a good sign that its velocity continues to climb, though he's still not back to his former self. He reportedly could be making rehab appearances in July, putting a return in August on the table.

Quintana (7-6) gave up two runs on five hits and three walks over six innings to record the win Wednesday against the Tigers. He struck out four.

Quintana allowed solo home runs to Nicholas Castellanos and John Hicks but was otherwise in cruise control on the Fourth of July. It was nice to see the lefty complete six innings, as he had failed to do so in his previous three outings. Quintana's ERA is still a bit higher than expected at 4.22, but he'll look to continue trending in the right direction in his next start, which is scheduled for Tuesday in San Francisco.

Thompson was optioned to Triple-A Lehigh Valley on Wednesday.

Thompson continues to live the life of the reliever with options, being sent down for the fifth time this season. He made just one appearance this time around with the Phillies, tossing three key scoreless innings in Sunday's extra-innings win over the Nationals. Expect him to return periodically throughout the season in a low-leverage role.

Buehler (ribs) will throw a simulated game Sunday and then return to the Dodgers, Bill Plunkett of The Orange County Register reports.

Buehler tossed three innings for High-A Rancho Cucamonga on Tuesday, allowing a run on two hits and a walk while striking out five batters. He'll return to the Dodgers soon after his sim game, provided that goes well, ending a month-long period in which he tossed just one disastrous inning for the team.

Toussaint was promoted to Triple-A Gwinnett on Wednesday.

Toussaint had a good start to the season, posting a 2.93 ERA in 16 starts for Double-A Mississippi. While his 9.9 percent walk rate was slightly high, his 29.3 percent strikeout rate was the highest he's posted at any stop thus far in his professional career. He'll need to continue his strong performance at the Triple-A level in order to stand out from a highly-touted crop of young Braves pitchers and push for a rotation spot next season.

Smoker was recalled from Triple-A Indianapolis on Wednesday.

The lefty allowed four runs in four innings without getting a single strikeout in a previous stint with the Pirates this season. At the Triple-A level, he's thrown 31.1 innings with a solid 2.59 ERA.

Corcino was designated for assignment Wednesday, Andy McCullough of the Los Angeles Times reports.

Corcino was removed from the 40-man roster after the Dodgers acquired Dylan Floro and Zach Neal from the Reds. The 27-year-old allowed one earned run in four innings for the Dodgers earlier in the season and has a solid 2.94 ERA in 49 innings for Triple-A Oklahoma City.

Wheeler is scheduled to make his next start Monday in one half of the Mets' doubleheader with the Phillies, Anthony DiComo of MLB.com reports.

Wheeler had been lined up to start the Mets' series finale Sunday against the Rays, but he'll be pushed back a day in the schedule as the team makes room for a new fifth starter. P.J. Conlon and Chris Flexen are the most likely the candidates to be recalled from Triple-A Las Vegas to start Sunday, while the other could be an option for the second half of the doubleheader or Tuesday's game against Philadelphia. The change in the pitching schedule means that Wheeler will be denied a two-start week, though he'll be in store for a two step during the final week before the All-Star break. He'll likely make his final start of the first half June 14 or 15 against the Nationals at Citi Field.

Syndergaard (finger) will make a rehab start Sunday at short-season Brooklyn, Mike Puma of the New York Post reports.

The rehab assignment comes after Syndergaard completed a 50-pitch simulated game Tuesday with no apparent issues. It's not clear how many pitches or innings the Mets will ask Syndergaard to cover Sunday, but if he fares well during the outing, the team could clear him to return from the disabled list before the All-Star break. If that ends up being the case, Syndergaard would line up for a start at some point next weekend against the Nationals.