Assad (2-1) earned the win against the Nationals on Friday, allowing four runs on three hits and two walks with four strikeouts over 5.1 innings.

Assad threw just 49 of 81 pitches for strikes and generated six whiffs but still worked into the sixth inning for a third straight outing. The 28-year-old gave up two runs in the fourth before being charged with two more after exiting with two on in the sixth. He owns a 4.62 ERA, 1.26 WHIP and 14:7 K:BB across 25.1 innings this season and is likely headed back to the bullpen with Jameson Taillon (groin) set to return next week.

Irvin (8-11) took the loss against the Cubs on Friday, allowing seven runs on five hits and four walks with two strikeouts over 3.1 innings.

Irvin was tagged for five runs in the first inning and has now allowed multiple homers in four of his past six starts. The 28-year-old is winless over his last seven outings, a stretch that includes five games of at least four earned runs and no quality starts. He'll carry a 5.71 ERA, 1.44 WHIP and 104:57 K:BB across 157.2 innings into a road matchup with the Marlins next week.

King (knee) made a five-inning start Thursday in a bridge game in Arizona and appears on track to return from the 15-day injured list next week, Jeff Sanders of The San Diego Union-Tribune reports. "Fielded his position, felt good afterwards and felt good [Friday]," Shildt said of King.

After completing a four-inning simulated game Aug. 29 followed by a bullpen session Monday, King had pushed for a return to the San Diego rotation this weekend in Colorado, but the Padres instead elected to have him make a start in Arizona, where he faced off against an assortment of Complex League prospects. Assuming King checks out fine during his next bullpen session, the Padres could clear him for a return to the rotation as soon as Tuesday's game against the Reds in San Diego.

The Padres placed Cortes (biceps) on the 15-day injured list Friday.

San Diego recalled reliever Ron Marinaccio from Triple-A El Paso in a corresponding move, but the Padres plan to call up Randy Vasquez from El Paso to fill the gap in the rotation Saturday in Colorado. Cortes' placement on the IL comes just two days after he turned in the worst of his six starts with the Padres since being acquired from the Brewers at the trade deadline. He took a loss against the Orioles after allowing six earned runs on seven hits -- including four home runs -- and three walks over just 2.1 innings.

The Padres will place Cortes on the injured list due to left biceps tendinitis, Jeff Sanders of The San Diego Union-Tribune reports.

Cortes seemingly picked up the injury during Wednesday's start, when he yielded six runs and four home runs across 2.1 innings against the Orioles. Since being dealt to San Diego from Milwaukee, Cortes has a 5.47 ERA and a 21:13 K:BB across 26.1 innings and six appearances. Michael King (knee) is nearing a return and could fill Cortes' spot in the rotation.

Vasquez will be recalled from Triple-A El Paso to start Saturday's game against the Rockies, Jeff Sanders of The San Diego Union-Tribune reports.

Vasquez will fill the gap in the Padres rotation Saturday, marking his first big-league action since Aug. 15. The 26-year-old has a 3.96 ERA and a 59:49 K:BB in 111.1 innings spanning 23 appearances with the Padres this season. Per Jeff Sanders of The San Diego Union-Tribune, Nestor Cortes (biceps) is headed to the 15-day injured list, which means Vasquez could stick in the rotation even after Michael King (knee) is activated, likely at some point during the upcoming week.

Means (elbow) will not make his scheduled rehab start with Triple-A Columbus on Friday due to an illness, Tim Stebbins of MLB.com reports.

Means' fifth rehab start will be delayed by at least a day, with the Guardians hoping that the 32-year-old southpaw will be able to pitch Saturday. Means is in the final stages of his recovery from Tommy John surgery that he underwent in June of 2024, and the hope is that he will rejoin the Guardians' rotation before the end of the regular season.

Lugo (back) received a cortisone injection Thursday and will resume throwing Sunday or Monday, Jaylon T. Thompson of The Kansas City Star reports.

The Royals placed Lugo on the injured list Thursday with a lower back strain and also gave him a cortisone shot to address the injury. He'll be back to throwing after a brief shutdown. The shutdown should have minimal impact on his return timeline.

Ragans (shoulder) is expected to begin his rehab assignment with Triple-A Omaha on Sunday, Anne Rogers of MLB.com reports.

Ragans has spent the majority of the season on the IL and has been on the shelf since mid-June due to a left rotator cuff strain. He ramped up his throwing program with bullpen sessions in mid-August, and the 28-year-old southpaw has progressed enough in his recovery to embark on a rehab assignment. Royals manager Matt Quatraro relayed Friday that Ragans is scheduled to pitch two innings Sunday and could ramp up his workload barring any setbacks.

Dodgers manager Dave Roberts said Glasnow was scratched from his scheduled start Friday against the Orioles due to back tightness, and the plan is to have the right-hander make a start "early next week" against the Rockies in Los Angeles, Fabian Ardaya of The Athletic reports.

Glasnow's back issue first cropped up Friday afternoon, prompting the Dodgers to scratch him and turn to Shohei Ohtani to start the series opener versus Baltimore. Roberts didn't specify which day Glasnow will make his next start, but the 32-year-old looks like he'll be available at some point during the three-game series versus Colorado. Glasnow may need to make it through a throwing session over the weekend without issue before the Dodgers lock him in for his next start.