MLB Player News

Maeda will return to a long-relief role once he's ready to pitch after throwing five innings Sunday, Bill Plunkett of the Orange County Register reports.

Maeda was solid against the Reds, holding them to one run on three hits over five innings. However, he's been inconsistent in a starting role this season, and with the Dodgers' rotation finally somewhat healthy, he will be relegated to a swingman role. Expect him to make more starts this season, but it will require an injury to another starter to open a slot for Maeda.

Nicolino (finger) was activated from the disabled list and is scheduled to start Monday against the Nationals.

As expected, Nicolino will rejoin the Marlins' rotation after successfully getting though six innings of a rehab start with High-A Jupiter last Tuesday. The 25-year-old, who compiled a 4.15 ERA and 1.46 WHIP through three starts (13 innings) before landing on the DL, is scheduled for a tough two-start week (Nationals and Cubs) in his first week back from the disabled list.

Keller (back) will make a rehab start with short-season West Virginia for its season opener Monday.

The second-round draft pick (2014) has been sidelined with a back problem since mid-May, but it seems that most of his issues have subsided since then. It's unknown how long he'll stick with the Black Bears on this rehab assignment, but it seems like he's pretty close to returning to High-A Bradenton's rotation either way.

Gonzales was optioned to Triple-A Memphis following his spot start in Game 2 of a June 13 doubleheader with the Brewers.

With the Cardinals requiring a sixth starter last week in light of their packed schedule, Gonzales entered the rotation and was tagged for five runs on six hits over 3.1 innings in his season debut. Even if he had been lights out during the appearance, Gonzales likely wouldn't have been in line to stick with the big club, so his demotion to the minors doesn't come as a surprise. The 25-year-old lefty has posted a 2.97 ERA and 28 strikeouts in 36.1 innings with Memphis this season.

Taillon (3-2) allowed four runs on eight hits and a walk while striking out four batters through five innings during Sunday's loss to the Cubs.

Chicago got it rolling at the dish, and Taillon didn't have an answer. It was just his second start since missing over a month of action, so a mediocre outing against a capable lineup isn't a cause for concern at this point. Taillon owns a rock-solid 3.38 ERA, 1.20 WHIP and 7.5 K/9 through 26 career starts and projects to remain a middle-of-the-rotation fantasy option this season. A road date with the Cardinals at Busch Stadium is up next for the 25-year-old righty.

Lynn (5-4) allowed seven runs on nine hits and two walks while striking out five batters over 4.2 innings during Sunday's loss to Baltimore.

Lynn was particularly hurt by the long ball, as he allowed four home runs and now sports a concerning 1.8 HR/9. He still owns a rock-solid 3.33 ERA, 1.16 WHIP and 8.7 K/9 for the campaign, but his 5.37 FIP also stands as a warning that more poor outings could be ahead. Lynn projects to make his next start against the Pirates at Busch Stadium.

Lively allowed three runs on eight hits over six innings in Sunday's 5-4 loss to the Diamondbacks. He struck out six and walked one.

Lively got off to a rough start, allowing the three runs off two homers in the first inning, but he settled in after that and held the Diamondbacks scoreless the rest of the way. His six strikeouts were a season high. Lively was in line to pick up the win, but Hector Neris blew the save and the D-backs went on to win in the 10th inning.

Worley will move back to the bullpen with Justin Nicolino (finger) in line to come off the disabled list to start Monday against the Nationals, Tim Healey of the South Florida Sun Sentinel reports.

Worley has made four starts with the Marlins this season when injuries have thinned the pitching ranks, but he hasn't appeared in a game since June 9 after manager Don Mattingly decided to deploy a four-man rotation during the past week. The Marlins' schedule for the upcoming week would have necessitated a fifth starter, but since a healthy Nicolino is now ready to fill that void, Worley will be forced to settle for low-leverage work in long relief.

Nicolino (finger) will be activated from the 10-day disabled list to start Monday's game against the Nationals, the Associated Press reports.

Nicolino hit the disabled list earlier this month after suffering a bruised left index finger, but he was able to complete a rehab outing with High-A Jupiter last Tuesday without incident, covering six innings and allowing two runs on seven hits. Nicolino isn't expected to face any restrictions as he embarks on what shapes up as a two-start week, but with matchups against high-end offenses in the Nationals and Cubs, he's not an attractive streaming option.

Ray allowed four runs on eight hits and four walks while striking out seven batters through 5.1 innings during Sunday's win over Philadelphia. He didn't factor into the decision.

Ray is establishing himself as a high-end fantasy asset with a 2.87 ERA, 1.14 WHIP, 11.7 K/9 and an admirable offense providing run support. He obviously wasn't at his best Sunday, but Ray had allowed just a single run through 37 innings over his previous five starts, so a small bump in the road isn't concerning. The lefty lines up to face the Phillies again in his next start, but that upcoming bout will be at Chase Field.