MLB Player News

Velasquez was placed on the 15-day injured list Wednesday with a blister on his right index finger.

Velasquez's move to the IL will keep him on the shelf through the All-Star break, but he should be fully healed from the blister when the White Sox open their second-half schedule. Jimmy Lambert was called up from Triple-A Charlotte on Wednesday to take Velasquez's spot in the bullpen.

Lugo (1-2) took the loss Tuesday as the Mets fell 1-0 to the Reds, giving up one run on one hit and two walks in one-third of an inning.

The right-hander entered a scoreless tie in the ninth inning but couldn't find the plate, tossing only eight of 17 pitches for strikes before Mike Moustakas launched a bases-loaded sacrifice fly to seal Cincinnati's win. Lugo was pitching on the second consecutive day with Edwin Diaz being held back for a potential save situation on the road, and that's a scenario Mets manager Buck Showalter may want to avoid in the future -- Lugo has made appearances on back-to-back days five times this season, and in the second game of those sets he's coughed up five runs in 4.1 innings.

Smyly (oblique) rejoined the Cubs on Wednesday and is expected to throw a bullpen session in the next day or two before the team decides whether to activate him from the 15-day injured list or send him to the minors for a second rehab start, Taylor McGregor of Marquee Sports Network reports.

Both Smyly and fellow rehabbing starting pitcher Marcus Stroman (shoulder) were back with the big club after making rehab starts Monday and Sunday, respectively. In his outing with High-A South Bend, Smyly struck out six and covered four innings and tossed 52 pitches while allowing three earned runs on four hits. Unless the Cubs are comfortable having Smyly slot back into the rotation this weekend in Los Angeles on a limited pitch count, he'll most likely head back to South Bend or another affiliate for a second rehab start as he looks to get fully ramped up from the injury that has thus far sidelined him for five weeks.

Stroman (shoulder) returned from his rehab assignment at Triple-A Iowa and is scheduled to throw a bullpen session in front of the Cubs' coaching and training staffs in the next couple of days before the team determines his next step, Taylor McGregor of Marquee Sports Network reports.

Stroman has been on the 15-day injured list since early June with right shoulder inflammation and didn't look particularly sharp in his rehab outing with Iowa on Sunday, as he was tagged for five earned runs on seven hits and one walk. With that in mind, it wouldn't be surprising if the Cubs opted to send Stroman out for a second rehab start so that he gets more stretched out and hopefully tightens up his command. Expect more definitive word on Stroman's next steps to come by the weekend.

Walker would like to sign a long-term deal with the Mets after his current contract expires, Anthony DiComo of MLB.com reports.

The veteran right-hander has a player option for 2023 that could be worth up to $8.5 million, but his performance so far this season would likely earn a much bigger salary on the open market. Walker indicated this week that if he does opt out, he would prefer to sign a longer deal with the Mets rather than head elsewhere. "I've been on short-term deals my last two free agencies," said Walker. "It would be nice to do a longer-term deal and kind of just be set up in one place and know that I'm going to be here for a couple years. Maybe have my family settle in a little bit. That would be nice." Any extension or contract talks with Walker likely won't happen until the season is over, but with Jacob deGrom, Chris Bassitt and Carlos Carrasco all on expiring deals as well, the Mets will have a lot of decisions to make on which members of the rotation to bring back and which to let go.

Faedo (hip) will join Detroit's taxi squad for its upcoming 12-game road trip and appears on track to be called up from Triple-A Toledo to start one half of Monday's doubleheader in Kansas City, Evan Woodbery of MLive.com reports.

Faedo was most recently called up to start the second game of a twin bill this past Monday against the Guardians, with the right-hander exiting the contest early due to right hip soreness. Since he was designated as the 27th man for the doubleheader, he was optioned to Triple-A following the outing, but Faedo looks like he'll avoid a stint on the injured list. According to Chris McCosky of The Detroit News, manager A.J. Hinch revealed Tuesday that initial tests on Faedo's hip revealed no structural damage and only inflammation, so the rookie should be ready to pitch in the upcoming doubleheader if he experiences no setbacks during a bullpen session later this week.

Sanchez (1-1) picked up the win Tuesday in an 11-0 rout of the Nationals, giving up two hits and two walks over five scoreless innings. He struck out two.

The 25-year-old lefty wasn't dominant and got the hook after only 60 pitches (35 strikes) in his first big-league start since May 8, but Sanchez lasted long enough to get credit for a win as he took advantage of the massive run support the Phillies offense supplied. He will likely only stick in the rotation until Ranger Suarez (back) or Zach Eflin (knee) are ready to return, but Sanchez's 3.48 ERA, 1.06 WHIP and 17:8 K:BB through 20.2 innings in the majors this season are at least encouraging.

Gutierrez (elbow) completed a live batting practice session Tuesday, Charlie Goldsmith of The Cincinnati Enquirer reports.

Before he was placed on the 15-day injured list just over a month ago with a first-degree right elbow strain, Gutierrez had been working out of the bullpen. The Reds aren't yet decided on what kind of role Gutierrez will handle once he's back to full strength, as the team will have him build up to three innings in his throwing progression before determining whether he'll return from the IL as a reliever or starter. Since he still has yet to head out on a minor-league rehab assignment, Gutierrez isn't on track to return until after the All-Star break.

Alcantara (9-3) picked up the win Tuesday, scattering two hits over eight scoreless innings in a 2-1 victory over the Angels. He struck out 10 without walking a batter.

The right-hander nearly became the first hurler since Corey Kluber in 2017 to toss back-to-back nine inning complete games, but Marlins manager Don Mattingly elected to hand the ball to closer Tanner Scott in the ninth this time around. Alcantara still continued the dominance that got him named NL Pitcher of the Month for June, and he's compiled a stunning 1.62 ERA, 0.79 ERA and 44:8 K:BB through 55.2 innings -- averaging nearly eight innings an outing -- since the beginning of last month.

Syndergaard (5-7) took the loss Tuesday as the Angels were downed 2-1 by the Marlins, allowing two runs on five hits over five innings. He struck out eight without walking a batter.

Both runs off the right-hander came on solo shots by Garrett Cooper and Bryan De La Cruz, and Syndergaard had no margin for error with Sandy Alcantara dealing for Miami. Syndergaard has only one win in five starts since the beginning of June, but that's as much due to a lack of run support as poor pitching on his part, as he sports a 3.60 ERA, 1.10 WHIP and 28:7 K:BB through 30 innings over that stretch.