MLB Player News

Falter (groin) is listed as the Phillies' probable starting pitcher for Wednesday's game against the Marlins in Philadelphia.

Falter doesn't look as though he'll have to miss a turn through the rotation after he exited his Aug. 31 outing in Arizona with a right groin injury. According to Matt Gelb of The Athletic, Falter's groin showed improvement two days after the start, so he's not expected to face any major restrictions when he takes the hill again Wednesday. Over his last four starts with the big club, Falter has gone 3-0 with a 2.59 ERA and 0.82 WHIP while racking up 23 strikeouts over 24.1 innings.

Suarez allowed three runs on four hits and two walks with four strikeouts over four innings in a no-decision versus the Giants on Sunday.

Suarez got through the Giants' order once with little trouble, but he made a mess of things in a three-run fourth inning. He wasn't given the chance to continue beyond that, with Nick Nelson taking over in the fifth. Suarez threw 44 of 69 pitches for strikes in the abbreviated outing, his second straight start of less than five frames. The lefty saw his ERA tick up to 3.52 with a 1.33 WHIP and 110:49 K:BB through 127.2 innings through 24 starts this year. He's projected for a home start versus the Nationals next weekend.

Waldichuk is slated to start Wednesday's home game versus Atlanta, Matt Kawahara of the San Francisco Chronicle reports.

Oakland is expected to scale down to a five-man rotation during the upcoming week, but Waldichuk will maintain his spot over James Kaprielian, who was moved to the bullpen ahead of Sunday's 5-0 win over the Orioles. In his first big-league start last week following his call-up from Triple-A Las Vegas, Waldichuk took a no-decision in Washington while striking out six and allowing one earned run on five hits and four walks across 4.2 innings.

Kaprielian was available out of the bullpen for Sunday's 5-0 win over the Orioles and appears to have lost his spot in the rotation, Matt Kawahara of the San Francisco Chronicle reports.

Oakland looks set to reduce its rotation to five men during its upcoming six-game week, with Kaprielian being moved to the bullpen while rookie Ken Waldichuk draws a second turn Wednesday against Atlanta. Kaprielian's demotion to the relief role comes even though he's shown improved form since the All-Star break following a rough start to the campaign. Over his eight second-half starts covering 40 innings, Kaprielian has turned in a 4.28 ERA, 1.52 WHIP and 31:20 K:BB.

Rodon took a no-decision Sunday versus the Phillies, allowing five hits and two walks while striking out 10 over six scoreless innings.

Rodon did his part, throwing 70 of his 106 pitches for strikes. John Brebbia couldn't hold the lead in the eighth inning, denying Rodon the win, though the Giants ultimately prevailed with a walkoff in the ninth. Rodon has recorded double-digit strikeouts in five of his last eight starts, and he's allowed more than two runs only twice in that span. The southpaw has a 2.92 ERA, 1.06 WHIP and 201:47 K:BB through 157.1 innings across 27 starts this season. He's projected for a road start at Wrigley Field during next weekend's three-game series versus the Cubs.

Lodolo allowed two hits and a walk while striking out nine in six scoreless innings during the loss to the Rockies in the first game of Sunday's doubleheader. He didn't factor into the decision.

Lodolo started a day later than anticipated after Saturday's matchup was postponed, but he had a strong showing after giving up seven runs in 12.1 innings over his last two outings. However, the southpaw was forced to settle for an unlucky no-decision since the Reds' bullpen struggled late in the game. Lodolo has struck out at least five batters in each of his last five starts, and he's posted a 3.30 ERA in 30 innings over that stretch. He tentatively lines up to make his next start on the road against Milwaukee next weekend.

Astros general manager James Click said Verlander (calf) likely won't return from the 15-day injured list Sept. 13 when first eligible, but the right-hander isn't expected to be sidelined far beyond that date, Chandler Rome of the Houston Chronicle reports.

Verlander seems to be progressing quickly from the right calf injury that prompted the Astros to deactivate him Tuesday. He threw off flat ground Sunday for the second straight day and looks like he could be ready to step back on the mound at some point during the upcoming week. Once that happens, Verlander will begin the process of ramping up through live batting practice sessions and simulated games. While Verlander is out, the Astros are expected to maintain a six-man rotation, as rookie Hunter Brown is on track to make his first big-league appearance as a starter Monday against the Rangers.

Marquez (8-10) allowed two runs on three hits and three walks while striking out four in seven innings to earn the win over the Reds during the first game of Sunday's doubleheader.

Marquez has now posted quality starts in five of his last six outings, but Sunday's win was just the second that he's earned across that span. He was particularly efficient during Sunday's matinee, as he required just 87 pitches to get through seven innings. The right-hander has posted a 3.55 ERA in 38 innings over his last six starts, and he tentatively lines up to make his next turn through the rotation at home against the Diamondbacks next weekend.

Gray (hamstring) is scheduled to throw a bullpen session Monday in New York, Dan Hayes of The Athletic reports.

If his sore right hamstring responds well to the throwing workout, Gray should get the green light to make his next turn through the rotation Wednesday against the Yankees. He was lifted after four innings during his last outing Friday versus the White Sox when his hamstring began to act up.

Steele (back) won't make a start during the Cubs' three-game home series with the Reds that begins Tuesday, Steve Greenberg of the Chicago Sun-Times reports.

Steele hasn't pitched since experiencing back soreness coming out of his Aug. 26 start in Milwaukee. He missed out on a start in Toronto last week while he was on the restricted list, and even though he was added back to the active roster Thursday, the Cubs aren't yet comfortable with having him slot back into the rotation. Wade Miley (shoulder) will be activated from the 60-day injured list Tuesday to start the series opener with Cincinnati, giving Steele a few more days to ramp up and move past the injury. If all goes well, Steele could be an option to make a start during the Cubs' series with the Giants over the upcoming weekend.