MLB Player News

Taillon was scratched from Sunday's start with flu-like symptoms. Chad Kuhl will start in his place, but is unlikely to go deep into the game, as he threw 95 pitches in Thursday's start.

This news did not come down until shortly before first pitch. It is unclear when Taillon's first start of the second half will come, but he could be an option for next weekend's series against the Cardinals.

Taillon has been scratched from his Sunday start, according to The Fan 93.7 in Pittsburgh.

Taillon was warming up in the bullpen Sunday afternoon when he left the mound. There are no immediate details as to why he was scratched. Chad Kuhl is expected to start in his stead.

Pennington has allowed one run while striking out five over four innings (two starts) for Low-A Wisconsin.

He missed almost three months with an elbow injury to start the season, but is back on track in the Midwest League. Despite being 22, these are Pennington's only two stars above short-season ball, so look for the Brewers to continue to deploy him at Low-A while being careful with his innings this season.

Eickhoff (back) was activated from the 10-day disabled list Sunday.

This is simply a procedural move so Eickhoff can make Sunday's start as scheduled. He'll take on Trevor Cahill and the Padres in the first-half finale as he looks to improve his 4.81 ERA on the season.

Freeland is a candidate to temporarily move to the bullpen in an effort to limit his workload, Nick Groke of The Denver Post reports.

The rookie southpaw is currently second on the team in innings pitched with 99, and given how the Rockies have handled fellow youngster Antonio Senzatela thus far, a move like this is a strong possibility. There are also a good number of reinforcements waiting in tow to fill the gap, with Tyler Anderson (knee) and Chad Bettis (illness) both expected to return from injuries during the second half of the season. Freeland will still make his start Sunday before the All-Star break, but it remains to be seen how the Rockies handle things once the home stretch begins.

Marquez could be briefly moved to the bullpen in an effort to manage his workload, Nick Groke of The Denver Post reports.

The Rockies did the same thing with Antonio Senzatela, so a move such as this one is certainly not out of the realm of possibility. Plus, with Tyler Anderson (knee) and Chad Bettis (illness) both expected to return sometime in the month of August, reinforcements are close to being able to fill the void if Marquez were temporarily bumped from the rotation. Marquez currently holds a 4.36 ERA and a 7.9 K/9 in 76.1 innings pitched on the season.

Phillies general manager Matt Klentak said Velasquez (elbow) should come off the disabled list sometime during the Phillies' road trip from July 14 to 19, Jake Lourim and Matt Gelb of The Philadelphia Inquirer report.

Velasquez is scheduled to make his next rehab start Thursday for High-A Clearwater, which would put him on track to be activated on July 18. The young righty was 2-5 with a 5.58 ERA and a 53:21 K:BB in 50 innings before hitting the disabled list in late May. He is expected to rejoin the Phillies' rotation when he comes off the disabled list.

Walker (6-4) took the loss Saturday against the Reds, going five innings and allowing five runs on five hits (including two home runs) and three walks. He struck out four.

He took a step back after a fine outing last Sunday, this time losing to promising up-and-comer Luis Castillo. Walker had tamed his past homer issues for much of the year, but allowed Joey Votto and Scooter Gennett to go yard. He'll take his 3.65 ERA, 72 strikeouts and 32 walks over 81.1 innings into the All-Star break, with a possible downturn coming if he can't also right his control.

Castillo (1-1) threw 6.2 scoreless innings Saturday, giving up three hits and one walk while striking out eight Diamondbacks for his first career major-league victory.

The right-hander dazzled a lineup that wasn't starting A.J. Pollock, to be fair, but it's an accomplishment against a typically strong club at a dangerous park in Chase Field. Castillo's heavy fastball and enticing arsenal could play strongly in fantasy leagues if he can refine his control.

Wheeler (3-6) gave up two runs on eight hits and one walk while striking out five over six innings in a loss to the Cardinals on Saturday.

He was outdueled by opposing starter Adam Wainwright, but this represents a step forward for Wheeler, who brought his ERA back under 5.00 with his sixth quality start of the season. The 27-year-old gave up 15 earned runs in two starts before landing on the DL with a biceps injury last month, and then he only lasted 3.2 innings in his first start back. The Mets suggested in the spring that Wheeler, who finished the first half having thrown 76 frames, would face an innings limit in the low-100s in his first season back from Tommy John surgery.