MLB Player News

Kennedy permitted just three hits and one walk over five shutout frames Friday, taking a no-decision against the Blue Jays. He struck out two.

Kennedy dealt with a little traffic early, as the Jays had multiple chances with runners in scoring position over the first three innings but failed to capitalize. The right-hander then retired the side in order in the fourth and fifth before being pulled. Kennedy might be headed back to the minors if the Reds decide Nick Lodolo (tibia) is ready to return next week.

Ryan (groin) allowed one run on one hit and two walks over four innings while striking out seven in his first rehab start with Triple-A St. Paul on Thursday, Bobby Nightengale of the Minneapolis Star Tribune reports.

Ryan induced 12 whiffs on 28 swings and threw 71 pitches on the night. That sort of workload would seem to be enough for Ryan to make his next start with the Twins rather than in the minors, if that's the direction the big club wants to go. Ryan has been on the 15-day injured list since early August with a left groin strain.

Berrios walked four but allowed just one hit over 5.2 scoreless frames Friday, taking a no-decision against the Reds. He struck out eight.

The right-hander carried a no-hitter into the bottom of the sixth inning before Matt McLain broke it up with a single. A walk and fielder's choice followed, and with his pitch count at an even 100, Berrios was pulled. Genesis Cabrera was then able to strand the runners. Berrios induced a season-high 19 swinging strikes on the night, and while his control and results have been hit-or-miss since the All-Star break, this was his best effort of the second half -- he sports a 3.08 ERA, 1.39 WHIP and 39:15 K:BB over his last 38 innings.

Taillon (7-8) took the loss Friday, yielding four runs (two earned) on six hits against the Royals. He struck out three without walking a batter.

It goes down as a quality start despite Taillon losing his second straight decision. This effort was indisputably better than the last one though, with the right-hander taking a lead into the sixth inning before serving up a two-run shot to Bobby Witt. Taillon has mostly been good since the start of July, posting a 4.03 ERA, 1.17 WHIP and 41:12 K:BB through his last 51.1 innings.

Ragans (4-4) permitted three runs on eight hits and two walks over six innings to collect a win Friday versus the Cubs. He struck out nine.

Ragans had a rough fourth inning when the Cubs dinged him for three runs on five hits. He was in control otherwise, allowing just five baserunners and no runs across his other five frames. Ragans induced 14 swinging strikes on 106 pitches and his final pitch of the game was actually his hardest thrown, as he hit 98.4 mph in getting Patrick Wisdom to go down swinging to end the sixth. It's a nice bounce-back effort from Ragans after he was shaky against the Cardinals in his last outing.

The Mets recalled Lucchesi (knee) from Triple-A Syracuse ahead of his start Friday against the Cardinals.

A knee issue has kept Lucchesi out of action for roughly a month, but he's been deemed healthy enough for a spot start with the big-league club. The 30-year-old southpaw holds a 4.45 ERA across 60.2 innings in the majors since 2021 and will likely return to Triple-A after Friday's game.

Suarez won't make his scheduled start Sunday against Washington due to soreness in his hamstring, Scott Lauber of The Philadelphia Inquirer reports.

Suarez's hamstring reportedly started acting up during the Phillies' series against Toronto and has carried on long enough to have him ruled out for Sunday. Luckily, his injury seems relatively minor, and the Phillies aren't worried about his status long-term. Zack Wheeler will take Suarez's place Sunday against Washington.

Urquidy will be available out of the bullpen Friday against the Mariners, Danielle Lerner of the Houston Chronicle reports.

The Astros are currently rolling with a six-man rotation and Urquidy won't be needed to make a start in their three-game weekend series versus Seattle. A short relief outing could act as a between-starts throw day before he slots back into the rotation early next week against the Red Sox.

Medina will work in bulk relief Friday against the Orioles, Martin Gallegos of MLB.com reports.

Francisco Perez is going to open the game for Oakland, but Medina is set to enter the game afterward. This might just be a workload-management strategy with the 24-year-old, who has delivered a 3.15 ERA with 38 strikeouts over his last 34.1 innings (six starts, one relief appearance) dating back to late June.

Rodon (hamstring) will return from the 15-day injured list to start Tuesday against the Nationals, Chris Kirschner of The Athletic reports.

Rodon had no lingering issues after a five-inning simulated game Wednesday and will jump back into action Aug. 22, exactly 15 days removed from his placement on the IL due to a left hamstring strain. The 30-year-old left-hander has thrown only 27 innings this season and carries a 7.33 ERA, and Washington could be a tough matchup for him -- the Nationals are seventh this season in wOBA against left-handed pitching, and third in strikeout rate.