MLB Player News

The Nationals activated Irvin (shoulder) from the 60-day injured list Thursday.

Irvin is slated to rejoin the Nationals' rotation with a start Thursday in Atlanta. It will be his first outing at the big-league level since late May, as Irvin has been working his way back from a right shoulder strain. Irvin made three rehab starts and topped out at 58 pitches, so he will be limited from a workload perspective Thursday.

Scott (3-3) took the loss in the second game of Wednesday's doubleheader against Atlanta, allowing one run on five hits and a walk over six innings. He struck out seven.

The 27-year-old right-hander lasted at least six innings for the first time this season and delivered his first quality start, but Scott got outdueled by Chris Sale in an eventual 1-0 Atlanta win. Over five outings in July, Scott has a 2.59 ERA, 1.07 WHIP and 32:9 K:BB through 24.1 innings, and he's emerged as one of the few bright spots in an otherwise disappointing campaign for the Mets. He'll look to keep rolling in his next start, which is scheduled to come on the road early next week in Cleveland.

Sale (12-6) picked up the win in the second game of Wednesday's doubleheader against the Mets, allowing just two hits over six scoreless innings in a 1-0 victory. He struck out nine without walking a batter.

After Atlanta lost 3-2 in the matinee, its ace took the mound for the nightcap and all but ensured the team would come away with a split. Sale fired 63 of 94 pitches for strikes in his 13th quality start of the season, and he hasn't given up more than three runs in an outing since April 6. The veteran southpaw will take a 2.08 ERA, 1.02 WHIP and 143:26 K:BB through 117 innings into his next start, which lines up to come at home early next week against the Marlins.

Williamson (shoulder/finger) will begin a rehab assignment Saturday at Double-A Chattanooga, MLB.com reports.

Williamson landed on the injured list in April due to a shoulder issue before suffering a finger injury late in June. The left-hander has been facing hitters and is ready for live games. He's expected to throw two innings and 45 pitches.

Lauer (6-5) allowed a hit, a walk and a hit batsman while striking out four over six scoreless innings to earn the win over the Mariners on Wednesday.

Lauer logged his fifth quality start in his last six outings, and he's also picked up four wins in that span. The southpaw was able to keep the Mariners off balance Wednesday, throwing 55 of 87 pitches for strikes in his second scoreless performance of the year. Lauer is now at a 4.50 ERA, 1.19 WHIP and 56:29 K:BB through 88 innings over 17 games (14 starts) between the Dodgers and the Blue Jays this year. He's tentatively projected to make his next start on the road versus the Cubs.

Singer (5-10) took the loss against Cleveland on Wednesday, allowing four runs (all unearned) on six hits and four walks while striking out three across 4.1 innings.

After a nice streak of three starts of more than six innings, Singer stumbled in the 6-1 loss to the Guardians, throwing only 58 of his 100 pitches for strikes and walking in two runs. It ends a run of four straight starts of at least five innings for the righty. Singer is now tied for the MLB lead with 10 losses on the year, though his 4.35 ERA and 1.42 WHIP through 107.2 innings likely aren't deserving of that loss total.

Hughes (0-3) took the loss Wednesday against the Padres, allowing three runs on six hits and a walk across five innings. He struck out two.

Hughes was sharp early, as he held San Diego to just one hit through his first three innings. However, things would unravel in the fourth, when the rookie right-hander allowed the first four batters to reach safely, ultimately giving up three runs. Through his first 24.1 big-league innings, Hughes sports a 3.33 ERA with a 1.19 WHIP and 21:7 K:BB. He's currently lined up to face the Rays at home his next time out.

Canning (2-9) earned the win Wednesday over the Rockies, allowing one hit and no walks across three scoreless innings. He struck out four.

Working in a bulk role again, Canning looked much better Wednesday, holding Colorado to a lone single en route to his second win of the season and first since June 17. It was an impressive bounce-back showing from the right-hander, who had given up nine runs (eight earned) across just 6.1 frames in his previous two appearances. Canning's ERA now sits at 6.65 on the season with a 1.57 WHIP and 67:32 K:BB across 65 innings.

Boyd took a no-decision Wednesday against the Cardinals, allowing no runs on four hits and two walks in seven innings. He struck out five.

Boyd engaged in a pitching duel with St. Louis right-hander Dustin May, who did fire five shutout innings, but Boyd was even better with seven scoreless frames. The 35-year-old southpaw notably escaped a bases-loaded jam in the sixth inning unscathed, and he's now pitched at least six frames in five straight outings while logging four quality starts during that span. Boyd is lined up for a tough test his next time out against the Dodgers, holding a strong 3.41 ERA, 1.20 WHIP and 60:19 K:BB over 66 innings.

Webb (6-7) earned the win Wednesday over Milwaukee, allowing two runs on five hits and a walk over six innings. He struck out four.

It's just the second win for Webb in his last seven outings -- the right-hander had been slumping coming into the day, posting a 7.54 ERA across 22.2 innings in his prior four starts. Webb's ERA now sits at 3.93 across 19 starts (119 innings) this season with a 1.12 WHIP and 93:30 K:BB. He's currently lined up to face the Rangers on the road his next time out.