MLB Player News

Buehler (3-1) got the win against the Padres on Sunday, scattering just four hits and one earned run over seven strong innings, striking out eight and walking none as the Dodgers cruised to a 6-1 victory.

The rookie just continues to toy with big-league hitters, as this marked the second straight start Buehler has gone seven innings while allowing just one earned run -- a stretch in which he has posted an immaculate 14:0 K:BB. He's backed up the hype since tossing a combined no-hitter against this same Padres team back on May 4. The 23-year-old now has a 2.20 ERA and a 0.90 WHIP through his 41 innings and has given up two or fewer earned runs in six of his seven starts this season.

Strasburg (6-4) tossed five scoreless innings to earn the win Sunday against the Marlins, allowing three hits with two walks and eight strikeouts.

Strasburg did well to scatter baserunners on the day, allowing just two men past first base. He threw 66 percent of his pitches for strikes but labored at times as the home team fouled off 31 of them, leading to his removal after just five innings. Workload aside, Strasburg recorded at least seven strikeouts for the sixth time in the last seven games to take his K/9 to 10.4 on the season. He's also allowed three runs or fewer in each of his last five starts and will take a 3.13 ERA into his next scheduled start Friday against the Braves.

Mikolas allowed four earned runs on five hits and one walk while striking out five across six innings Sunday against the Pirates. He did not factor into the decision.

Mikolas uncharacteristically relied heavily on flyball outs but took advantage of pitcher-friendly PNC Park by allowing only one extra-base hit. He had little trouble through the first four innings of the game but allowed the first two batters of the fifth to reach base, both of whom ultimately came around to score on a triple by Adam Frazier. While the outing wasn't his best of the season, Mikolas allowed just six baserunners and has now gone three consecutive starts without allowing a home run.

Taillon allowed three earned runs on five hits while walking one and striking out six across 6.1 innings Sunday against the Cardinals. He did not factor into the decision.

The Cardinals didn't hit the hurler particularly hard, generating only one extra-base hit against him: a double to lead off the game by Matt Carpenter. Taillon's success came from nine groundball outs, which helped him limit the Cardinals to just six baserunners throughout his 6.1 innings of work. Taillon was shelled for six earned runs in his previous outing against the Reds so this was a needed rebound, and he'll look to keep it going when he faces the Cardinals again in his next start, this time coming at St. Louis.

Greinke (3-4) got the loss against Oakland on Sunday, giving up two earned runs on six hits over six innings, striking out five and walking three in a 2-1 defeat for the Diamondbacks.

The veteran right-hander pitched well in this contest, but a lack of run support and a strong outing from counterpart Frankie Montas ultimately sent him to his fourth defeat of the season. Greinke's 3.65 ERA still isn't quite at the dominant level that he's shown he's capable of posting in past years. However, his 1.04 WHIP and 72:10 K:BB are both excellent and have allowed him to maintain a great deal of fantasy value through his first 66.2 innings of the season. In order to hack away at that ERA, Greinke just has to cut down on the long balls, as he's served up 11 homers through his first 11 starts.

Wheeler allowed four earned runs on six hits and two walks while striking out six across six innings Sunday against the Mets. He did not factor into the decision.

Wheeler had a rough third inning, in which he allowed a three-run home run to Jesus Aguilar as well as both of his walks, but pitched fairly well otherwise. He limited baserunners, highlighted by three hitless innings -- a notable development, considering he had allowed 10 or more runners to reach base in three starts this season. While his season-long numbers remain ugly, this start wasn't necessarily the setback that the box score made it appear to be.

Kershaw (biceps) has been confirmed as the starter for Thursday's game against the Phillies, Alanna Rizzo of Spectrum SportsNet LA reports.

Manager Dave Roberts alluded to Kershaw returning from the disabled list in his morning interview Sunday, but Dodgers president of baseball operations Andrew Friedman went as far as to confirm Kershaw will start Thursday shortly afterward. The southpaw will pick things up with a 2.86 ERA over his first 44 innings this season.

Kershaw (biceps) will likely return from the disabled list to start Thursday's game against the Phillies, Ken Gurnick of MLB.com reports.

The Dodgers currently have Alex Wood penciled in as Thursday's probable starter, but manager Dave Roberts reported Sunday that Kershaw is a "very viable" option to step in and make that start. The lefty played catch Sunday and will likely throw a bullpen session Tuesday before the Dodgers ultimately decide if he'll be able to return to the mound against the Phillies.

Flexen was optioned to Triple-A Las Vegas on Sunday, Anthony DiComo of MLB.com reports.

Flexen will find himself back in the minors following his disastrous relief appearance Saturday against the Brewers. The young righty allowed seven runs (three earned) on eight hits and three walks over two innings of relief. P.J. Conlon was recalled from Las Vegas in a corresponding move.

Conlon was recalled from Triple-A Las Vegas on Sunday, Anthony DiComo of MLB.com reports.

Conlon will make his way back to the majors to take Chris Flexen's place in the bullpen. Flexen was optioned to Las Vegas after allowing seven runs (three earned) over two innings of relief Saturday against the Brewers. Conlon will likely find himself throwing in low-leverage relief situations for the Mets.