MLB Player News

Ryu tossed four innings of scoreless relief Thursday, picking up his first career save in a 7-3 win over the Cardinals.

The 30-year-old made his first relief appearance of the season after being bumped from the rotation this week. Even with his successful debut as a long reliever, it is unclear if the Dodgers will keep Ryu in the majors in that role, or if they will send him to the minors so he can stay on a regular pitching schedule in the event they need him to fill in for an injured starter. Whatever the case may be, his demotion from the rotation diminishes his fantasy value.

Maeda (4-2) gave up three runs on seven hits over five innings Thursday. He walked two and struck out four in a win over the Cardinals.

The 29-year-old was almost lifted for a pinch hitter when his spot in the order came up in the bottom of the fourth with two outs and two men on base. Manager Dave Roberts decided to let his starter bat and Maeda delivered with a two-RBI single, rewarding fantasy owners with a victory in the process. The veteran admitted that he was a bit rusty in the first inning when he surrendered all three of the runs charged to his name, but he regained his aggressiveness in the strike zone and held the Cardinals scoreless the rest of the way. If we include the three starts before his recent trip to the disabled list, Maeda has looked more like the pitcher that broke out in 2016, posting a 2.84 ERA and 8.9 K/9 over over those four outings.

Gray (foot) hopes to pitch a bullpen session over the weekend without his walking boot, Patrick Saunders of The Denver Post reports.

The young ace has been firing bullpen sessions for a few weeks now despite being shackled to a walking boot, but it seems like his foot is nearly ready to be set free. As long as everything goes well with the upcoming bullpen sessions, Gray will likely move on to making at least three rehab starts prior to returning to the rotation. He's currently expected to be out for another two and a half weeks, but a firmer timetable for his return should emerge once he embarks on his rehab assignment.

Ray (4-3) tossed seven shutout innings and generated nine strikeouts in Thursday's 4-0 victory over the Brewers.

Ray allowed only three runners to reach base, conceding a pair of base hits and hitting Manny Pina with a pitch. The lefty had endured a bit of a rough patch in late April through mid May, turning in a 6.33 ERA and 1.59 WHIP over a five-start stretch, but he's since rebounded with gems against the Padres and Brewers in his subsequent two turns. He'll likely make his next start at PNC Park during the Diamondbacks' series next week with the Pirates, who have ranked 24th in the majors with a .313 wOBA over the past month.

Walker (hand) will throw a bullpen session Saturday, Nick Piecoro of AZCentral Sports reports.

Walker long-tossed at Miller Park on Thursday, and although he's feeling good following that session, it appears that he'll miss one more turn in the rotation. If all goes well, the right-hander will throw a simulated game in Pittsburgh early next week prior to rejoining the rotation next weekend against the Marlins.

Anderson struck out 11 batters over six scoreless innings Thursday, allowing just one hit and one walk, in Low-A Rome's win over Augusta.

The 19-year-old had hit a bit of a rough patch recently, giving up 13 runs in 16.1 innings over his previous four starts, but Anderson returned to dominant form in this one. The Braves' No. 5 prospect now has a 13.0 K/9 and has yet to allow a home run this year in his first exposure to full-season ball, and while his control remains a work in progress (4.8 BB/9) he has as much upside as any arm in Atlanta's stacked system.

Manager Dave Roberts said Thursday that the club has not discussed sending Ryu down to the minors, Ken Gurnick of MLB.com reports.

Ryu remains in a holding pattern as the Dodgers are intent on keeping a five-man rotation with Kenta Maeda and Rich Hill back, which leaves Ryu without a defined role. Andy McCullough of the Los Angeles Times adds that Ryu's current routine is not compatible with a long relief role, even if that seems to be the logical place to put him for the time being. In any case, Ryu's undefined role has bottomed out his fantasy value at this point.

Velasquez allowed a single run on eight hits and a walk while striking out seven batters during Thursday's extra-innings win over Colorado. He didn't factor into the decision.

The young righty entered the start with a 5.98 ERA and 1.42 WHIP through eight outings this season, so this was a promising showing from Velasquez. He owns swing-and-miss stuff and currently sports a 9.6 K/9 for the campaign. However, until Velasquez proves he can consistently limit opponents, his crippling ratios are category anchors. A road game against Miami is up next for Velasquez.

Wheeler will start Saturday's game against the Pirates, Stephen Nesbitt of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette reports.

The Mets juggled their rotation a bit due to the possibility of inclement weather hitting New York on Thursday, bumping Jacob deGrom back to Friday as a result. With that, Wheeler is now lined up to start Saturday opposite Pittsburgh ace Gerrit Cole. Wheeler, in his first season back from Tommy John surgery, is starting to round into form, notching a 2.12 ERA with 15 strikeouts over his last three outings. Walks have been a bit of an issue, however, as he's issued four or more free passes in three of his last four starts.

Anderson allowed a single run on six hits and two walks while striking out seven batters over seven innings during Thursday's extra-innings loss to the Phillies. He didn't factor into the decision.

The lefty has settled into a nice groove with just seven runs allowed and 32 strikeouts over 24.2 innings through his past four starts. It's difficult to get too excited about Anderson because he pitches his home game at hitter-friendly Coors Field, but his current form is impressive nonetheless. Anderson lines up to face the Mariners at Coors in his next start.