MLB Player News

Wheeler (finger) has been confirmed as the starting pitcher for Thursday's game against the Brewers.

Wheeler's last start was cut short by a blister on his throwing hand, but it appears the setback will not prevent him from taking the mound Thursday. Wheeler is coming off a quality month, one in which he went 2-0 with a 2.74 ERA over four starts.

Keller (back) is making progress but isn't ready to return to action. "He's a little ways away from that," head trainer Todd Tomcyzk told the Pittsburgh Tribune-Review on Wednesday.

He continues to receive treatment for lower back tightness. Keller has compiled a 2.92 ERA, 0.93 WHIP and 39:8 K:BB for High-A Bradenton in 40 innings. Despite his injury -- which has sidelined him since May 16 -- there's still a decent possibility he advances to Double-A before the end of the summer.

Martinez (4-4) allowed a single run on four hits and three walks while striking out nine batters over eight innings during Wednesday's win over the Dodgers.

Martinez has been excellent for St. Louis and fantasy owners this season, and he's now picked up a win in four of his past six starts. He sports a 3.08 ERA, 1.11 WHIP and 9.9 K/9 for the campaign and has reaffirmed his matchup-proof status with a string of impressive starts. Martinez will look to grab his fifth win of the year against Cincinnati at Great American Ball Park next week.

Velasquez (elbow) will have an MRI exam Thursday to determine how long he will be sidelined, Matt Breen of The Philadelphia Inquirer reports.

Velasquez was placed on the disabled list Wednesday with an elbow flexor strain. He is likely looking at a multi-month absence even if the injury turns out to be a minor strain.

DeGrom (4-2) got blown up to the tune of seven runs on eight hits and five walks over four innings in Wednesday's loss to the Brewers. He struck out six.

This marks the third time in 2017 that deGrom has issued five or more walks in a start -- something he didn't do even once in either of the last two seasons. His massive spike in strikeouts (now 92 in 68 innings) certainly helps compensate for that decline in control, but the results have not been great for the 28-year-old righty, as he's now sitting on a 3.97 ERA and 1.37 WHIP -- both easily career worsts. However, he also holds career highs in BABIP (.338) and HR/FB (18.2 percent), suggesting that deGrom has been the victim of some bad luck.

Manager Dave Roberts said whether Ryu starts again or moves back to the bullpen depends on Alex Wood's (shoulder) health, Bill Plunkett of The Orange County Register reports.

Ryu tossed six innings of one-run ball in his spot start for Alex Wood on Wednesday, allowing just three hits and a walk while striking out four. Despite his solid outing, he could be headed back to the bullpen if Wood is ready to return from the disabled list when eligible Monday.

Nola (2-3) gave up four runs on five hits and a walk while striking out four over three innings in Wednesday's 10-2 loss to the Marlins.

He labored through 73 pitches (47 strikes) before being lifted from his shortest outing so far this season. After looking good in his first start off the DL, Nola's now been tagged for nine runs in nine innings over his last two trips to the mound, sending his ERA soaring to 5.06. He'll try to get back on track Tuesday in Atlanta.

Gray (foot) threw a bullpen session without a walking boot over the weekend.

This is a big development for Gray, as it's the first time he's been allowed to do anything without the boot since injuring his foot. He's expected to go through fielding drills in the coming days, after which a timetable for his return to facing hitters should become clearer.

Gomber is on the minor-league DL at Double-A Springfield with an undisclosed injury.

He lasted just three innings in his last start on May 24 despite giving up just one run and striking out four, so he likely suffered the injury in that outing. Gomber, who profiles as a back-end starter or middle reliever, had notched a 4.08 ERA, 1.54 WHIP and 40:20 K:BB in 39.2 innings prior to suffering the injury.

Keller landed on the minor-league DL at High-A Bradenton with a back strain.

He had been wowing scouts again this season after adding a changeup to his arsenal. Keller, 21, posted a 2.93 ERA, 0.93 WHIP and 39:8 K:BB in 40 innings prior to the injury. He should be able to return and re-establish his value as a top-15 pitching prospect sometime this summer.