MLB Player News

Fried isn't expected to make his next turn through the Atlanta rotation until the team's four-game series in Washington over the weekend after he developed a hot spot on one of his fingers in his most recent start this past Tuesday in Philadelphia, Justin Toscano of The Atlanta Journal-Constitution reports.

Atlanta isn't overly concerned about the issue, and with the National League East division crown already secured, the team can afford to proceed cautiously with one of its top starters. Even if Fried is cleared to pitch later this week as anticipated, he could still have his workload managed to some degree as Atlanta looks to ensure that he's not too overworked heading into what the team anticipates will be a long postseason run.

Bibee was placed on the 15-day injured list Monday with right hip inflammation, Zack Meisel of The Athletic reports.

Bibee suffered the injury during his most recent start over the weekend against the Rangers and will be shut down for the season. The right-hander turned in an outstanding rookie campaign, posting a 2.98 ERA, 1.18 WHIP and 141:45 K:BB through 142 innings. The Guardians have yet to announce who will take Bibee's spot in the rotation, but both Shane Bieber (elbow) and Triston McKenzie (elbow) are tracking toward returns from the 60-day injured list either this week or next.

Montas (shoulder) struck out two and yielded one run on one hit and one walk over one inning in his first rehab start with Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre on Sunday.

In his first appearance at any level this season, Montas threw 17 pitches while averaging 95.2 miles per hour with his fastball. The veteran right-hander is working his way back from arthroscopic shoulder surgery, which he underwent in late February. While Montas won't have time to get stretched out for a starting role and still looks like a long shot to make his 2023 Yankees debut, manager Aaron Boone said Sunday that the 30-year-old hasn't been ruled out from being activated from the 60-day injured list during the final week of the season, per MLB.com. Montas is set to become a free agent this winter and may want to prove to the Yankees and other potential suitors that he's back to full health.

Bieber (elbow) struck out seven and gave up no hits and three walks over 3.2 scoreless frames in a rehab start with Triple-A Columbus on Sunday.

Bieber issued three free passes but was otherwise sharp in the outing and averaged 91 miles per hour with his fastball, just a tick down from his 91.8 mph average for this season. The right-hander upped his pitch count to 64 in the second start of his rehab assignment and looks as though he'll be ready to return from the 60-day injured list later this week. With Tanner Bibee (hip) potentially done for the season, Bieber could take his spot in the rotation during the Guardians' series with the Orioles that begins Thursday.

The Reds plan to call up Phillips from Triple-A Louisville to start Monday's game against the Twins, Gordon Wittenmyer of The Cincinnati Enquirer reports.

Though Phillips was sent back to Louisville on Thursday, he'll be eligible to return to the Reds without spending the minimum 15 days in the minors because he had initially joined Cincinnati earlier this month as a replacement for a player placed on the COVID-19-related injured list. The Reds have four other healthy starting pitchers and three more off days over the final two weeks of the season, so Phillips may just be making a spot start Monday if manager David Bell chooses to get by with a four-man rotation the rest of the way. Phillips has been one of the Reds' top pitchers in the upper levels of the minors this season but labored in his first two big-league starts, striking out 10 over 8.2 innings while allowing eight earned runs on 10 hits and six walks.

Waldichuk dropped to 3-8 on the season while working in bulk relief in Sunday's 10-1 loss to the Padres, striking out two while allowing six runs on nine hits.

Waldichuk entered Sunday's action having allowed just one run over his last 16 innings, but he undid most of that good work in the series finale with the Padres. While entering the game after opener Joe Boyle tossed three scoreless frames, Waldichuk was lit up by the Padres. The nine hits Waldichuk allowed tied for the most he's given up in any outing this season. It's been a rough campaign for Waldichuk, who now sits at a 5.40 ERA, 1.58 WHIP and 122:68 K:BB in 130 innings. He could work in tandem with Boyle again when his next turn in the rotation comes up in the Athletics' series with the Tigers next weekend.

Littell did not factor into the decision Sunday, allowing one run on four hits over 4.2 innings against the Orioles. He struck out three.

After pitching eight and seven innings, respectively, in his previous two starts, Littell only made it through 4.2 frames Sunday, departing after throwing just 55 pitches. The 27-year-old right-hander has looked good of late, working to a 2.29 ERA while issuing just one walk in his last three outings (19.2 innings) despite an 0-2 record in that span. Overall, Littell is 3-6 with a 4.12 ERA, 1.14 WHIP and 67:9 K:BB through 83 innings this season. He's currently slated for a home matchup with the Blue Jays this weekend in his next outing.

Boyle opened Sunday's 10-1 loss to the Padres with three scoreless innings, allowing one hit and two walks while striking out four.

Boyle impressed in his MLB debut, allowing just a first-inning single to Juan Soto and two free passes while spotting 35 of his 58 pitches for strikes. The right-hander sported a four-pitch arsenal Sunday and notably maxed out at 99.7 miles per hour with his fastball. The Athletics haven't outlined their plans for Boyle moving forward, but he'll most likely work as an opener or a traditional starter the next time his turn in the rotation comes up this weekend versus the Tigers.

Flexen (1-8) took the loss Sunday against the Giants after giving up four runs on five hits while striking out five over 5.1 innings.

Flexen got off to a very strong start, allowing just two hits and a run through five frames before things fell apart in the sixth. He began the inning with an out but proceeded to allow three straight hits and was pulled in favor of Matt Koch who could not help him strand the inherited runners. Some positives are that Flexen has struck out five batters in back-to-back starts and hasn't surrendered a home run in either start as well, both of which took place at Coors Field. He's struggled to a unsightly 7.19 ERA, 1.71 WHIP and 70:34 K:BB in 91.1 innings. Flexen lines up for a road start against the Cubs this week.

Hudson allowed three runs on five hits and three walks while striking out three over five innings Sunday against the Phillies. He did not factor into the decision.

Hudson allowed just one hit through the first three innings, but the Phillies finally got to him with three runs in the fourth. Shockingly enough, Hudson's three strikeouts were his most in a start since he had seven Aug. 20. He had just five strikeouts in his previous four starts and has only managed to reach six innings once in his last six starts. The 28-year-old is up to a 5.12 ERA, 1.45 WHIP and 40:30 K:BB in 70.1 innings. He's projected to face the Padres on the road in his next outing.