MLB Player News

The Nationals released Urena on Thursday.

He signed a minor-league deal with the Nationals in May and registered a 6.31 ERA and 1.58 WHIP in 15 starts for Triple-A Rochester. Urena was released by the Rockies earlier this year after walking more batters (14) than he struck out (nine) in five big-league starts across 18.1 innings.

Gray will start Saturday against the Marlins.

This will be Gray's first time pitching since July 24, a span of 11 days in between outings. Since he last pitched, the Rangers acquired two new starters at the trade deadline, which altered the rotation pattern and may have resulted in the long layoff. Gray had a leg injury entering the previous start, so perhaps that was involved in the decision to give him so much time off. Gray has not won a game since June 2 and sports a 5.36 ERA over the eight starts since.

Lodolo (lower leg) will throw another bullpen session Monday, MLB.com reports.

If all goes well, Lodolo is expected to throw two innings the following Friday, presumably as part of a simulated game. The left-hander's condition has improved over the last 10 days, and the Reds moved up his expected return date to late August.

Ober yielded two runs on six hits over five innings in Friday's win against Arizona. He struck out three and did not factor in the decision.

Ober coughed up a solo homer in the second inning and another run in the fourth. While the three strikeouts were his fewest since June 2, he's turned in four straight starts without issuing a walk. Ober lowered his ERA to 3.21 to go alongside a 98:18 K:BB across 103.2 frames. He's projected to take the mound in Detroit next week.

Kelly allowed two runs on six hits and a walk over six innings during Friday's loss to the Twins. He struck out nine and did not factor in the decision.

Kelly looked terrific Friday aside from the two solo homers he coughed up. He produced his highest strikeout total since May 28 and has now turned in two quality starts in three outings since returning from the injured list. The veteran righty has produced a 3.21 ERA with a 118:42 K:BB through 112 innings. Kelly is expected to face the Dodgers at home next week.

Davies (back) is scheduled to pitch a simulated game Saturday, Nick Piecoro of the Arizona Republic reports.

Davies will throw 3-to-4 innings or about 55 pitches. The right-hander has already served the 15-day minimum and can be activated at any time.

Feltner (head) will throw a bullpen session Saturday, MLB.com reports.

Feltner was cleared to begin throwing again in late July after recovering from a fractured skull and subsequent serious concussion symptoms. He is set to throw two bullpen sessions per week for a few weeks and then progress to a rehab assignment. That won't leave him much time to return during the regular season, though manager Bud Black told the media that both the team and Feltner believe it's important for him to get back on the mound prior to the winter to clear any mental hurdles that may exist due to his injury.

Nola (9-8) took the loss Friday, allowing five runs on eight hits and one walk over 5.1 innings against Kansas City. He struck out eight.

The eight strikeouts were a silver lining in an otherwise disappointing outing for Nola, who was on track for the victory having allowed only two runs through the first five innings. Things then fell apart for the Phillies ace in the sixth, when he allowed a solo home run to lead off the frame, followed by a double and a walk. Nola was pulled and both runners went on to score, saddling him with his eighth loss. Nola will look to rebound next week when he gets a likely home start against the Nationals. He has now allowed 13 runs over his past three starts and will be looking for his first win since July 18.

Lyles (3-12) earned the win Friday, allowing five runs on eight hits and zero walks over 5.2 innings against the Phillies. He struck out two.

After a four-run sixth put Kansas City up by two, Lyles was pulled following a Trea Turner single that cut the Royals' lead to one. The bullpen proceeded to blank the Phillies the rest of the way, earning Lyles his third victory of the season. It wasn't pretty, but Lyles has now earned the victory in his last two starts after securing just one win in his previous 18 outings. His next start is likely to come next week in Boston.

Darvish allowed two runs on five hits and struck out four without walking a batter over seven innings in a no-decision versus the Dodgers on Friday.

Darvish put the Padres in a position to win, but the bullpen melted down over the final two frames to squander his quality start. He's posted four quality starts in five outings since the All-Star break, with the lone exception a seven-run disaster versus the Pirates on July 24. Darvish is now at a 4.41 ERA, 1.25 WHIP and 121:38 K:BB through 114.1 innings over 20 starts this season. He's projected for a road start in Seattle next week.