MLB Player News

Abel will be called up from Triple-A Lehigh Valley to start Thursday's game versus the Blue Jays in Toronto, Scott Lauber of The Philadelphia Inquirer reports.

In his MLB debut May 18 versus the Pirates, Abel dazzled with nine strikeouts over six shutout frames, but he was sent back to Lehigh Valley immediately afterward while the Phillies turned to veteran Taijuan Walker to replace the injured Aaron Nola (ankle). With Walker underwhelming in two starts, the Phillies have decided to move him to a bullpen role, opening a spot in the rotation for Abel. He won't necessarily be in store for a long-term stay in the big leagues, as Nola could begin a rehab assignment next week before returning from the injured list by the second week of June.

Phillies manager Rob Thomson said that Walker will move back to the bullpen this week, Adam Aaronson of PhillyVoice.com reports. "I want to see him in a one-inning stint and see what he can do," Thomson said of Walker.

Though Aaron Nola (ankle) won't be ready to return from the 15-day injured list the next time a fifth starter is needed Thursday in Toronto, the Phillies will instead call up Mick Abel from Triple-A Lehigh Valley to fill the void. Walker, who was roughed up for four earned runs in four innings against Milwaukee this past Friday, isn't expected to be available out of the bullpen until Tuesday or Wednesday coming off the 89-pitch start. Once he's ready to go, Thomson plans to give the right-hander a trial as a high-leverage reliever, perhaps as a setup man in front of closer Jordan Romano. The manager is optimistic that the shift in role could revive Walker's career, as the 32-year-old has largely disappointed as a starter since signing a four-year, $72 million deal with Philadelphia following the 2022 season.

The Brewers activated Quintana (shoulder) from the 15-day injured list to start Sunday's game at Philadelphia.

The veteran left-hander is rejoining Milwaukee's rotation Sunday after missing the past three weeks due to a shoulder impingement. Quintana threw 71 pitches across four innings during his lone rehab outing, so he could face some minor workload limitations in his first start back with the Brewers.

Rodriguez (shoulder) is likely to return to the rotation this week, Nick Piecoro and Jose M. Romero of the Arizona Republic report.

The Diamondbacks haven't announced plans for the left-hander, but Rodriguez threw 4.2 innings during a rehab start Friday in the Arizona Complex League. After Ryne Nelson was needed for four relief innings Saturday, Arizona manager Torey Lovullo confirmed the righty would be returned to the bullpen instead of making a scheduled start Tuesday, per Arizona Sports. Rodriguez could be set to return Friday in Cincinnati, as Arizona has already mapped out its pitching plans for a three-game set in Atlanta to begin the week, per Jody Jackson of Bally Sports Arizona.

Atlanta recalled Elder from Triple-A Gwinnett to start Sunday's game against the Red Sox.

The right-hander will fill the rotation spot vacated by AJ Smith-Shawver, who will miss the rest of the season due to a torn UCL in his right elbow. Elder has been serviceable in his eight starts for Atlanta this season with a 4.50 ERA, 1.25 WHIP and 33:13 K:BB across 44 innings, and he should get an extended look in the rotation.

Pfaadt (7-4) failed to record an out while taking the loss Saturday versus the Nationals, allowing eight runs on six hits and two hit batsmen.

Four of the six hits were doubles, which allowed the Nationals to keep the line moving during Pfaadt's brief outing. Scott McGough was unable to stop the bleeding immediately, and the Diamondbacks were down 10-0 before sending a batter to the plate themselves. The silver lining here is that it's tough for Pfaadt to ever have a worse appearance in his career. His ERA jumped from 3.90 to 5.05, and he's added a 1.32 WHIP and 49:15 K:BB across 62.1 innings over 12 starts. He's tentatively projected to make his next start on the road in Cincinnati.

Soroka (2-3) allowed four runs on six hits and a walk while striking out three over 5.1 innings to earn the win Saturday over the Diamondbacks.

The Nationals put up 10 runs before Soroka threw a pitch, so he was able to work without much pressure. It wasn't all that effective of an outing, but he did enough to take care of business and earn his second win in the last three starts. This was the third start in a row in which he's pitched into the sixth inning. Soroka has a 5.81 ERA, 1.23 WHIP and 28:6 K:BB over 31 innings through six starts this season.

Knack (3-2) earned the win over the Yankees on Saturday, allowing one run on five hits and three walks while striking out six batters over six innings.

Knack had the pressure of pitching on a national stage assuaged early Saturday, as the Dodgers put up four runs in the first inning and six more in the second to hand the right-hander a big lead. The 27-year-old hurler responded with a sharp six frames, and the only run he allowed came on a solo homer by Aaron Judge in the fourth inning. Knack notched a quality start for a second straight outing, and he's allowed a total of two earned runs while posting an 11:3 K:BB over 12 innings during that span. He may not stick in the Dodgers' rotation once the team's bevy of injured starters begin to return, but for now he's lined up to make his next start on the road against the Cardinals.

Falter (4-3) allowed two hits and a walk while striking out one over 6.1 shutout innings to earn the win Saturday over the Padres.

Falter went 3-0 with just four runs allowed (three earned) over 35.2 innings across his six starts in May. The one downside was his 19:13 K:BB, though Falter has never been one to rack up strikeouts. On the year, he's at a 3.14 ERA, 1.08 WHIP and 41:22 K:BB through 66 innings over 12 starts. He is tentatively projected to next take the mound at home against his former team, the Phillies, next weekend.

Ray (7-1) tossed seven innings Saturday, allowing one run on two hits and three walks while striking out nine batters in a loss to Miami.

Ray was excellent in the outing, racking up 19 whiffs and nine punchouts while throwing 65 of 98 pitches for strikes. However, the Marlins squeezed out a run against him on two walks and a single in the second inning, and that tally held up to hand the southpaw his first lost of the campaign. Despite the defeat, Ray managed to extend his streak of quality starts to seven, and he lowered his season ERA to an impressive 2.43. The veteran hurler is also tied for 10th in MLB with 78 punchouts, and Ray remains in the early conversation for NL Cy Young consideration with his standout start to the campaign.