MLB Player News

Nationals manager Dave Martinez said that Williams is set to be placed on the bereavement list Monday, Jesse Dougherty of The Washington Post reports.

The transaction isn't expected to be made official until a few hours before the Nationals' series opener with the Brewers, which begins at 7:05 p.m. ET. Williams most recently started in the Nationals' loss to the Mets on Sunday, when he worked four innings while surrendering five runs on seven hits and four walks. The right-hander will likely be ready to return from bereavement leave before his next turn through the rotation comes up this weekend in Cincinnati.

Perez made a start for Double-A Pensacola last Wednesday, tossing 2.1 innings and striking out five while allowing two runs (one earned) in a 4-3 win over Mississippi. According to Jordan McPherson of the Miami Herald, general manager Kim Ng said the Marlins are "creating a path for him to come back" to the big club, but no specific timeline was provided for when he'll be called up from Double-A. "We'll take it day by day and see where the staff is, see where he is, and just make sure that we monitor this really closely."

The Marlins sent Perez back to the minors shortly before the All-Star break, despite the fact that he had arguably been Miami's top starter through his first 11 big-league outings (2.36 ERA, 1.09 WHIP and 61:17 K:BB in 53.1 innings). The demotion was designed to better manage the 20-year-old's innings count, which now sits at 86.2 for the season between the majors and minors. Considering Perez's youth and long-term importance to the organization as well as the fact that he never threw more than 78 innings in any of his previous pro seasons, the Marlins will likely be selective with his usage moving forward. Though the talented righty will be back in the big leagues at some point as the Marlins push for a wild-card spot, Ng left it open for interpretation whether Perez would be deployed as a starter or reliever once he's called up. Even if the Marlins are willing to clear room in the rotation for Perez, he could be on a shorter leash with regard to his pitch count compared to Miami's other starters.

Atlanta general manager Alex Anthopoulos confirmed Sunday that Fried (forearm) has completed his minor-league rehab assignment and will be reinstated from the 60-day injured list later this week, Jim Bowden of The Athletic reports.

Anthopoulos didn't specify what day Fried will be activated, but the southpaw is expected to start either Friday or Saturday versus the Cubs at Wrigley Field, per David O'Brien of The Athletic. In preparation for Fried's return, Atlanta already opened up a spot in the rotation by optioning right-hander AJ Smith-Shawver to Triple-A Gwinnett on Monday. Fried made the fourth and final start of his rehab assignment with Gwinnett this past Saturday, covering 4.1 innings and striking out four while allowing two runs on five hits and two walks. He built up to 79 pitches in that outing, so Fried shouldn't be in line for any major workload restrictions when he returns to the Atlanta rotation.

Atlanta optioned Smith-Shawver to Triple-A Gwinnett on Monday.

As anticipated, Smith-Shawver was just up with Atlanta for a spot start after he was recalled ahead of Sunday's game against the Brewers. Though Atlanta came away with an 8-6 victory, Smith-Shawver was denied the win after tossing five innings and giving up three hits and four hits and four walks. Atlanta is set to return Max Fried (forearm) from the 60-day injured list Friday or Saturday to fill the vacant spot in the rotation, but Smith-Shawver could be back with the big club as soon as next week, when a temporary sixth starter will be needed for the Aug. 12 doubleheader with the Mets.

Bielak (5-6) took the loss Sunday, allowing six runs (three earned) on eight hits and three walks over five innings against the Rays. He struck out four.

After being tagged for six runs (three earned) in his last start, Bielak surrendered six more against the Rays on Sunday. He struggled with control once again, allowing three or more walks for the fifth time in his last six starts, and now owns an ugly 59:33 K:BB through 74.2 innings (14 appearances). With Jose Urquidy (shoulder) set to return to the Astros rotation this week, Bielak will likely be the odd man out and retreat to the bullpen.

Luzardo did not factor into the decision Sunday, allowing four runs on seven hits and three walks over 4.2 innings against the Tigers. He struck out three.

After fanning a career-high 13 batters in his last start, Luzardo was only able to punch out three hitters Sunday during 4.2 inefficient innings. All of the damage against Luzardo came in the third, where he allowed four hits and a walk as part of a four-run frame. The start ended an impressive run for the 25-year-old, who had allowed two or fewer earned runs in seven consecutive starts leading up to Sunday's dud. Luzardo is tentatively scheduled to take the mound next during a three-game road series against the Rangers this weekend.

Snell (8-8) allowed one unearned run on four hits and four walks over five innings Sunday, striking out nine and earning a win against Texas.

Snell has been outstanding for the last two months despite his inflating walk rate. He registered a 42:26 K:BB through 32 July innings but gave up just two earned runs. He's given up two or fewer runs in 13 straight starts, resulting in a terrific 0.73 ERA with a 108:41 K:BB through 74 frames over that span. Snell's next outing is projected to be at home against the Dodgers.

Williams (5-6) took the loss Sunday, allowing five runs on seven hits and four walks over four innings against the Mets. He struck out two.

Williams tied his season highs in earned runs allowed and walks allowed Sunday as he fell to his sixth loss of 2023. He also surrendered a solo homer to Francisco Lindor in the fourth inning, marking his eighth long ball given up in his last seven starts. During that stretch, Williams owns a 6.06 ERA and a 21:13 K:BB. The 31-year-old is projected to make his next start during a three-game road series in Cincinnati this weekend,

Verlander (6-5) earned the win Sunday, allowing one run on five hits and one walk over 5.1 innings against the Nationals. He struck out five.

Verlander turned in another strong start Sunday, snaring his third consecutive win -- and the 250th of his Hall of Fame-worthy career -- while tossing 5.1 innings of one-run ball. After a slow start to the season (4.50 ERA over his first nine appearances), Verlander has found his stride and is 4-1 with a 1.49 ERA across his last seven starts. Assuming the three-time Cy Young Award winner isn't dealt prior to Tuesday's trade deadline, Verlander will likely toe the rubber next against the Orioles at Camden Yards this weekend.

Cecconi is the most likely internal candidate to be called up from Triple-A Reno to fill the vacant spot in the Arizona rotation after the Diamondbacks placed Tommy Henry (elbow) on the 15-day injured list Sunday, Nick Piecoro of The Arizona Republic reports.

Given the high asking price for starting pitching on the trade market ahead of Tuesday's deadline, the Diamondbacks may opt to use internal candidates to fill in for Henry, who will miss at least 15 days. Cecconi's overall numbers at Reno aren't exciting -- 6.38 ERA, 1.38 WHIP, 2.0 HR/9 in 103 innings -- but the right-hander's ledger since the middle of June shows improvement in a notoriously tough environment for pitchers. He has a fastball that sits in the low-to-mid 90s and a pair of breaking balls in his slider and curveball. Another righty, Bryce Jarvis, is also being considered for a promotion, but he pitched out of the bullpen in his last two appearances.