MLB Player News

Anderson (4-5) took the loss Wednesday against the Indians, allowing three runs on four hits and three walks across 4.1 innings. He struck out four.

It was another short outing for Anderson, who has now lasted six innings just once in his past six starts. He actually pitched pretty well through four innings Wednesday before running into trouble in the fifth frame, loading up the bases with one out before getting the hook. Jeremy Jeffress allowed all three inherited runners to score, raising Anderson's ERA to a lackluster 4.57 on the year. He also owns an unimpressive 43:26 K:BB through 65 innings. The 30-year-old will look to right the ship in his next start, which will come at home against the Cubs.

Quintana allowed just two runs on three hits and two walks while striking out 10 over 5.2 innings but did not factor into the decision in Wednesday's win over the Phillies.

Quintana was solid in this one but lost his chance at his seventh win of the season when Steve Cishek allowed a home run after coming on in relief in the sixth inning. Nonetheless, this was a step in the right direction for Quintana after he allowed four runs over 4.1 innings in his last start. He'll carry a 4.20 ERA into his next outing Monday in Milwaukee.

Wheeler didn't factor into the decision Wednesday against the Orioles, allowing just three hits and a walk across seven scoreless innings. He struck out five.

Wheeler needed just 93 pitches to get through seven frames, tying his longest start of the season. Despite the strong outing, the right-hander was forced to settle with a no-decision as his counterpart Dylan Bundy fired seven shutout innings of his own. Wheeler has now tossed three quality starts in his last four outings, lowering his ERA from 5.92 to 4.57 over that stretch. He'll look to build off of Wednesday's strong outing in his next start, which will come on the road against the Braves.

Cardinals manager Mike Matheny confirmed that Martinez purposely threw "softer" than usual in his first start back from the disabled list Tuesday due to fear of reinjuring his lat, Joe Trezza of MLB.com reports.

Martinez had a ragged start overall against the Marlins, allowing two runs on four hits and five walks, with the latter tally being his highest since Opening Day. However, the rocky performance wasn't as much of a concern as the overall drop in velocity that the Cardinals' ace exhibited over his four frames. The inefficient performance is now at least partly explained by the revelation that Martinez took something off his typically mid-90s fastball, something that Matheny confirmed he never signed off on. "We go with the information they give us," he said. "We can't read their minds."

Darvish (triceps) played catch in the outfield prior to Wednesday's game, Carrie Muskat of MLB.com reports.

This marks the second day in a row that Darvish was able to play catch, though manager Joe Maddon admitted that there is still no timetable for the right-hander's return. Look for the Cubs to narrow in on a target date for his return once he's able to throw off a mound.

Smyly (elbow) will throw a live batting practice session prior to Friday's game against the Pirates, Mark Gonzales of The Chicago Tribune reports.

Smyly continues to work his way back from Tommy John surgery that he underwent last June. The left-hander remains on track for a late-July/early-August return though it's likely that he will require a lengthy rehab stint once his arm has been deemed healthy enough. During 30 starts with the Rays in 2016, Smyly posted a 4.88 ERA and 1.27 WHIP with 167 strikeouts in 175.1 innings.

Conlon was claimed off waivers by the Mets on Wednesday, Mike Puma of the New York Post reports.

Conlon was designated for assignment by New York a week ago, but will return to the organization and report to Triple-A Las Vegas after an ultra-brief stint with the Dodgers. Over two starts with the Mets this year, he allowed seven earned runs on 12 hits in just 5.2 innings. He will serve as rotational depth for the club moving forward. In a corresponding move, Phillip Evans was designated for assignment.

Despaigne was sent down to Triple-A New Orleans on Wednesday, Joe Frisaro of MLB.com reports.

Despaigne allowed five runs, though just two were earned, over his past three outings spanning 5.2 innings after coming off the DL (forearm) a couple weeks ago. The right-hander just hasn't seemed to fit into a clear-cut role with the Marlins this season and will look to receive more action at the Triple-A level in the coming weeks. Ben Meyer had his contract selected and will take Despaigne's spot on the roster.

Lucchesi (hip) faced live hitters Tuesday at the Padres' spring training complex in Arizona, AJ Cassavell of MLB.com reports.

Assuming Lucchesi's hip responded well to the activity, his next step will be making a minor-league rehab assignment or pitching a simulated game at extended spring training, perhaps at some point over the weekend. With that in mind, it appears likely that Lucchesi will miss at least one more turn through the rotation beyond Wednesday's game against the Braves; that start will fall to Matt Strahm, who will take the hill as part of a bullpen game.

Davies (shoulder) will not return from the 10-day disabled list during this weekend's series in Philadelphia, Adam McCalvy of MLB.com reports.

There was a possibility that Davies would be back in action for Sunday's series finale but the club announced that he won't be an option to rejoin the rotation just yet. The right-hander went down with right rotator cuff inflammation following his start against the Cardinals on May 29. Outside of this update, the Brewers have remained relatively quiet regarding his status, but a plan for his return should come into focus in the near future. In his place, Freddy Peralta could make another spot start after tossing 6.1 scoreless innings for Triple-A Colorado Springs on Tuesday.