MLB Player News

Keller (10-5) earned the win Monday, allowing two runs on seven hits and no walks over eight innings against the Mets. He struck out six.

The 28-year-old cruised to his second straight season with double-digit wins, allowing just one extra-base hit -- a two-run Brandon Nimmo homer in the sixth. Keller has been reliable since June 1, pitching to a 3.09 ERA, 1.19 WHIP and 44:8 K:BB over 43.2 innings across seven starts. The Pirates right-hander is scheduled to make his last outing of the first half against the White Sox in Chicago this weekend.

The Nationals optioned Herz to Triple-A Rochester on Monday.

Unless the Nationals place another player on the injured list in a corresponding move, Herz won't be eligible to rejoin Washington for another 15 days. Though Herz was tagged for five runs (four earned) in 4.1 innings in his most recent start in Sunday's loss to the Cardinals, Mark Zuckerman of MASNSports.com suggests that the left-hander's demotion likely isn't a result of the Nationals being dissatisfied with his performance. Instead, Washington is likely just giving him some extra rest ahead of the All-Star break, with Herz being a candidate to rejoin the big-league rotation when a fifth starter is needed to begin the second half of the season. Washington recalled right-hander Joan Adon from Triple-A to replace Herz on the 26-man active roster and provide a fresh arm out of the bullpen in the short term.

The Nationals recalled Adon from Triple-A Rochester on Monday.

Adon has made all but two of his 28 career big-league appearances as a starter, but he appears poised to work out of the Washington bullpen after he transitioned to a relief role at Rochester in late June. Over his five relief outings at Triple-A, Adon struck out five while allowing seven baserunners over 5.1 scoreless innings.

The Twins activated Paddack (arm) from the 15-day injured list Monday.

Paddack will rejoin the Twins rotation and start Monday versus the White Sox after missing the past two weeks with right arm fatigue. He didn't make a rehab start prior to being activated, so it's possible Paddack will be a little limited from a pitch count perspective Monday. Reliever Josh Winder was optioned to Triple-A St. Paul in a corresponding move.

Gausman tinkered with his mechanics ahead of Friday's start against the Mariners, in which he tied his season high with 10 strikeouts, Keegan Matheson of MLB.com reports. "I definitely had a bit of a different delivery today, and that was by design," Gausman said after the outing. "It's something we're trying to get back to what I was doing in 2021. I think it will allow me to be around the zone a little bit more."

The veteran right-hander saw his fastball average 1.4 mph more than it had this season coming into the start, while the movement on his splitter was more effective as a result of the tweaks. "I was getting way too much horizontal movement on my splitter and not enough vertical movement," Gausman said. "I haven't looked at the metrics, but I could tell that it was carrying the zone. To me, that shows the vertical was there on my splitter. Guys are going to swing more at it when it looks like it's going to be in the zone longer." Gausman, who missed much of spring training due to shoulder fatigue, has had an inconsistent beginning to the season and will carry a 4.64 ERA, 1.34 WHIP and 24.0 percent strikeout rate into his next start -- numbers all well below the standard he established during his career resurgence in San Francisco in 2020-21.

Wrobleski dropped to 0-1 after giving up four earned runs on five hits and two walks while striking out four over five innings in Sunday's 9-2 loss to the Brewers.

In what was his big-league debut, Wrobleski had some impressive moments, which included touching 98 miles per hour with his four-seam fastball on one of his four punchouts. The lefty, who turns 24 later this week, pounded the zone and gave up a couple home runs on the day. His fastball averaged 95 mph, and he threw mostly cutters and sliders off the fastball while mixing in a few changeups. Manager Dave Roberts hinted after the game that while he was impressed with Wrobleski's poise and pitch efficiency, the Dodgers will make a move to call up a reliever to take Wrobleski's place on the roster before Tuesday's game against the Phillies. The Dodgers have five healthy starters besides Wrobleski, but Roberts noted that the young lefty will likely be back in the majors soon.

Nelson (6-6) got the win over the Padres on Sunday, allowing one run on three hits and a walk while striking out five over 6.2 innings.

Nelson strung together one of his best starts of the season while outdueling Dylan Cease to get the win. His only mistake was allowing a first-inning home run to Jurickson Profar, but he was able to shut out the Padres the rest of the way. Nelson has put together four quality starts in his last five outings and has compiled a 3.49 ERA, 1.09 WHIP and 21:3 K:BB (28.1 IP) while also leading all Diamondbacks starters in innings pitched over that span. For the year, the 26-year-old owns a 5.08 ERA, 1.48 WHIP and 54:20 K:BB in 79.2 innings and will look to have one more positive start before the All-Star break, which is set to take place against the Blue Jays in a weekend home series.

Crawford (5-7) earned the win Sunday against the Yankees after tossing seven shutout innings while allowing just four hits. He struck out four.

Crawford was incredibly efficient Sunday night, needing just 68 pitches to coast through seven frames while throwing 54 strikes. Crawford's never pitched into the eighth before, and while he certainly could've based on pitch count, manager Alex Cora decided to turn to the bullpen for the final six outs. Crawford contributed to shutting out the Yankees offense for the first time since April and now owns an 11:0 K:BB over his last 13 innings after back-to-back starts without issuing a walk. The 28-year-old now owns a 3.24 ERA, 1.07 WHIP and 106:28 K:BB in 105.2 innings and will look to finish out the first half strong as he prepares to face the Royals at home in a weekend series.

Gil (9-5) took the loss Sunday against the Red Sox, allowing one run on four hits and no walks while striking out nine over 6.2 innings.

Gil was locked into a scoreless pitcher's duel with Kutter Crawford until the former gave up an opposite-field solo home run to Rafael Devers in the seventh. He retired one more batter after Devers and then exited the game and wound up with the loss after the Yankees ended up getting shut out. It was an encouraging showing for Gil nonetheless after he had surrendered 16 runs and posted a 6:9 K:BB in 9.2 innings over his prior three starts. Sunday was also the first time the 26-year-old managed to not walk a batter all year and the first time he reached six innings since June 4. Gil will look to generate one more strong start before the All-Star break and currently lines up to face the Orioles in Baltimore over the weekend.

Cease (7-8) took the loss Sunday against the Diamondbacks, allowing three runs on five hits and a walk while striking out eight over seven innings.

All three runs scored against Cease came from the long ball. Corbin Carroll opened up the game with a solo home run and then Eugenio Suarez put the Diamondbacks ahead with a two-run blast in the seventh. Cease has now given up four homers over his last two starts and has given up 14 in 14 starts dating back to April 27. He has a 5.11 ERA over that span, though that also comes with an elite 11.7 K/9. For the year, the 28-year-old owns a 4.21 ERA, 1.10 WHIP and 128:33 K:BB in 109 innings. He lines up to face Atlanta at home this weekend.