MLB Player News

Nelson has worked to improve his slider during his time in the minors, Nick Piecoro of The Arizona Republic reports.

Nelson's slider has shown progress over his last few starts at Triple-A Reno, with Arizona pitching coach Brent Strom noting that the right-hander is "locating it more" and "hasn't made as many mistakes with it." Nelson has made four starts for Reno since his demotion in mid-August, pitching to a respectable 3.74 ERA. He had been part of the Diamondbacks rotation for the first four-and-a-half months of the season, posting a 5.74 ERA in 24 starts. Despite a mid-90s fastball, Nelson struggled to miss bats, and the organization is hoping an improved slider will help. If the club reaches down to the minors for a starter Thursday, Nelson, whose last outing was Sept. 2, is the most likely candidate to fill the opening. Arizona needs a starter after it demoted Slade Cecconi on Sunday.

Pfaadt (1-8) allowed three runs on six hits and two walks while striking out four over 3.2 innings to take the loss Tuesday versus the Rockies.

Pfaadt had pitched well at times in August, but he's now given up nine runs (eight earned) over 7.2 innings across his last two starts. The rookie right-hander threw just 70 pitches (45 strikes) in Tuesday's poor outing. He's at a 6.27 ERA, 1.46 WHIP and 68:24 K:BB through 74.2 innings across 15 starts overall. Pfaadt is lined up for a road start versus the Cubs over the weekend.

Freeland (6-14) allowed two runs on six hits and three walks while striking out two over six innings to earn the win Tuesday over the Diamondbacks.

Freeland was hit hard at home versus Atlanta in his last start, but he was able to bounce back in this outing. This was the first time he'd walked multiple batters in a start since July 9. The southpaw is now at a 5.09 ERA, 1.47 WHIP and 91:41 K:BB through 146.2 innings over 27 starts this season. Freeland is projected for a home start versus the Cubs next week.

Bassitt (14-7) allowed a run on seven hits and struck out seven over eight innings to earn the win Tuesday over the Athletics.

Bassitt and Ken Waldichuk engaged in a pitchers' duel for six innings before Toronto's bats found success against Oakland's bullpen. This was Bassitt's second eight-inning start in a row after he blanked the Nationals his last time out. The right-hander is now at a 3.69 ERA, 1.18 WHIP and 158:52 K:BB through 173.1 innings over 29 starts this year. He'll look to carry some momentum into a more challenging home start versus the Rangers next week.

Waldichuk allowed four hits and three walks while striking out three over six scoreless innings in a no-decision versus the Blue Jays on Tuesday.

Waldichuk held his own, but the Athletics' bullpen couldn't do the same in a seventh-inning collapse. This was his first scoreless effort since June 29, and Waldichuk had allowed eight runs over 14.2 innings across his three previous outings. The southpaw is at a 5.63 ERA, 1.64 WHIP and 117:67 K:BB through 120 innings across 31 appearances (20 starts) this season. He's projected for a difficult road start in Houston early next week.

Valdez (11-9) earned the win Tuesday, allowing one run on six hits and four walks over seven innings against the Rangers. He struck out four.

Valdez kept one of MLB's most explosive offenses in check Tuesday, allowing just one run to score across seven innings of work. However, he did endure some hiccups, most notably in the form of his four walks. Regardless, Tuesday's performance continued a strong stretch for Valdez, who owns a 1.35 ERA and a 15:9 K:BB across his last three appearances (20 innings). He's tentatively scheduled to take on the Athletics at MInute Maid Park for his next start.

Lorenzen (8-9) allowed seven runs (six earned) on eight hits and three walks while striking out one over six innings to take the loss Tuesday versus the Padres.

Lorenzen and Pedro Avila traded zeroes for the first three frames, but the Padres' offense came to life after that. Lorenzen was very good in his first two starts for the Phillies, but he's allowed 22 runs (19 earned) over his last four outings, spanning 21 innings. The right-hander is at a 3.95 ERA, 1.17 WHIP and 104:41 K:BB through 143.2 innings across 24 starts this season. He's projected to make his next start at home in a difficult matchup versus Atlanta.

Cole (13-4) earned the win Tuesday, allowing a run on eight hits over six innings in a 5-1 win over the Tigers. He struck out seven.

While the eight hits were the most Cole's allowed in a start since June 25, he managed to hold the Tigers to just one run, earning his third straight win and his 10th quality start in his last 12 outings. Cole's ERA is down to 2.90 with a 1.05 WHIP and 195:45 K:BB across 29 starts (180 innings) this season. He's currently lined up for a home matchup with the Brewers this weekend in his next outing.

Eovaldi (11-4) took the loss Tuesday, allowing four runs on five hits and one walk over 1.1 innings against the Astros. He struck out one.

After being sidelined since mid-July with a forearm strain, Eovaldi's long-awaited return was certainly lackluster. He was pulled at 35 pitches and only managed to retire four batters, with just one coming via strikeout. Eovaldi gave up a pair of solo home runs to Jose Altuve as part of a four-run start, raising his ERA from 2.69 to 2.95 on the year. While Tuesday's struggles were uncharacteristic, Eovaldi is in line for another tough matchup next time out against the Blue Jays on the road.

Eflin did not factor into the decision Tuesday, allowing three runs on five hits and one walk over five innings against Boston. He struck out seven.

Eflin only managed to make it through five innings Tuesday after logging quality starts in five of his previous six outings. He's worked to a 2.97 ERA in his last seven starts, issuing just four walks in that span (39.1 innings). Overall, Eflin's 13-8 with a 3.47 ERA, 1.03 WHIP and 158:21 K:BB through 27 starts (155.2 innings) this season. He's currently lined up for a home matchup with the Mariners in his next outing.