MLB Player News

The Dodgers reinstated Knack (chest) from the 60-day injured list Saturday.

Knack has been on the injured list all season due to an intercostal strain, but he's now been cleared to rejoin the Dodgers' pitching staff after giving up three runs in seven innings across three minor-league rehab outings. The 28-year-old righty has been used primarily as a starter throughout his career, but he'll most likely work as a long reliever while he eases his way back into big-league action. Kyle Hurt was optioned to Triple-A Oklahoma City to free up space for Knack on the active roster, and Charlie Barnes was DFA'd to clear a 40-man spot.

The Padres reinstated Waldron (forearm) from the injured list Saturday.

A forearm strain has kept Waldron on the injured list since mid-May, but he has been playing in rehab games at Triple-A El Paso since June 14. The 29-year-old gave up four earned runs while striking out 10 batters in 15 innings across five appearances during his time in the minors. The Padres don't currently have a spot open for him in the rotation, so he figures to work out of the bullpen as a long reliever for the time being.

Thornton is expected to be called up from Triple-A Syracuse to pitch in Sunday's game against the Red Sox, Will Sammon of The Athletic reports.

Thornton will likely start or serve as a bulk reliever in Sunday's first-half finale, but the Mets haven't revealed their plans for the 24-year-old just yet. The southpaw has previously made two starts in the majors this season, giving up five earned runs while striking out 10 batters and walking three across 10.1 innings. Although he hasn't yet been able to claim a regular spot in the New York rotation, that could change within the next couple of weeks, depending on what moves the Mets make ahead of the trade deadline.

Matthews (4-6) took the loss Friday against the Angels, giving up four earned runs on nine hits and two walks while striking out three batters over six innings.

Matthews had given up just one hit and one walk through the first three innings of Friday's contest, but things began to fall apart after he conceded a solo homer to Vaughn Grissom to lead off the fourth. Jorge Soler doubled during the ensuing at-bat and later scored on a balk, and the Angels began the fifth inning by putting up four consecutive hits against Matthews, adding two more runs to their lead. The 26-year-old righty has now coughed up eight earned runs in 10.2 innings across his last two starts, and he'll take a 4.57 ERA, 1.22 WHIP and 54:18 K:BB through 67 innings into the All-Star break.

Rodriguez (3-2) earned the win over the Twins on Friday, allowing three earned runs on six hits and a walk across 5.1 innings. He did not record a strikeout.

Rodriguez began the game by allowing a leadoff double to Trevor Larnach, who eventually came around to score and give Minnesota an early lead. Rodriguez responded by firing four consecutive scoreless frames while the Angels' offense churned out four runs, but he was pulled after allowing three consecutive hits and two runs in the sixth. Although he fell two outs shy of recording his first quality start of the season, the 26-year-old righty pitched well enough to get the win and will carry some positive momentum into the All-Star break despite owning an unsightly 7.55 ERA for the season.

Brown didn't factor into the decision in Friday's 7-3 loss to the Rangers, allowing three earned runs on four hits and five walks while striking out four batters in six innings.

The 27-year-old righty struggled to find his command on the mound throughout his start Friday, which began with a five-pitch walk of Joc Pederson to lead off a two-run first inning for the Rangers. Brown went on to issue four more free passes across the next three frames before serving up a solo homer to Pederson to lead off the fifth. Brown will carry a 3.57 ERA and 1.39 WHIP into the intermission, though he now owns a 4.74 ERA and 1.54 WHIP across 24.2 innings in five starts since returning from the injured list in mid-June.

Littell didn't factor into the decision in Friday's 5-3 loss to the Yankees, allowing one run on five hits over four innings of relief. He struck out five without walking a batter.

The veteran right-hander put together one of his better outings of the season, tossing 49 of 69 pitches for strikes after taking over in the fourth inning from opener Carson Palmquist, but the Nationals' bullpen cost Littell his eighth win of the season with another meltdown in the ninth. He's given up two runs of fewer in four straight starts, heading into the All-Star break with a 2.84 ERA, 1.05 WHIP and 16:3 K:BB through 19 innings over that stretch.

Weathers didn't factor into the decision in Friday's 5-3 win over the Nationals, allowing one run on six hits over 5.1 innings. He struck out six without walking a batter.

The southpaw put together another stingy outing, tossing 61 of 91 pitches for strikes and getting tagged for two runs or fewer for the fourth time in his last five starts, but the Yankees' bullpen cost Weathers his fourth win of the year. Over that five-start stretch, he's produced a 3.47 ERA, 1.46 WHIP and 29:6 K:BB through 23.1 innings, and with both Max Fried (elbow) and Carlos Rodon (elbow) on the shelf until late July or later, Weathers' spot in the rotation should be secure for at least a couple weeks coming out of the All-Star break.

Nola didn't factor into the decision Friday, giving up two runs on three hits and two walks over five innings as the Phillies fell 10-2 to the Tigers. He struck out eight.

The veteran right-hander was lifted after 84 pitches (50 strikes) with the score tied 2-2, falling short of his sixth quality start of the season, only to see his bullpen implode. Nola has struggled to put together a consistent stretch of success this season, but he's lasted at least five innings and allowed three runs or fewer in four of his last five outings, posting a 5.47 ERA, 1.33 WHIP and 31:7 K:BB over 26.1 innings during that span.

Flaherty (3-8) allowed two runs on two hits across six innings of work to earn the win in Friday's 10-2 victory over the Phillies. He walked three and struck out six.

Facing a tough Philadelphia lineup, Flaherty managed to pick up his second straight win with the Tigers backing him with plenty of offense. The righty is on a good run across his last three starts, as he's allowed just the two earned runs in 16.2 innings while striking out 20. Flaherty has consistently done a good job of missing bats, but his overall results don't always match up. The veteran starter carries plenty of momentum into the All-Star break, and he'll look to keep things rolling in the second half.