MLB Player News

Keller (1-6) took the loss Wednesday versus the Guardians. He allowed four runs on six hits and three walks with one strikeout in six innings.

Keller allowed a run in each of the third through sixth innings, while the Royals' offense was limited to just seven singles and a pair of walks in the contest. With four or more runs allowed in four of his last five starts, Keller's hot start to the season is becoming an increasingly distant memory. He's now at a 4.15 ERA, 1.24 WHIP and 33:18 K:BB across 60.2 innings in 10 starts. The 26-year-old right-hander is projected to make his next start at home versus the Blue Jays next week.

Kershaw (pelvis) threw 30-35 pitches in a bullpen session Wednesday, David Vassegh of AM 570 LA Sports reports.

Kershaw has been on the 15-day injured list since May 13, but he's topped 30 pitches in bullpen sessions twice in the last three days. Manager Dave Roberts said Wednesday that the team has had discussions about sending the left-hander on a rehab assignment as early as this weekend. If Kershaw ultimately reports to a minor-league affiliate this weekend, he's expected to throw at least three innings and could require at least two rehab appearances prior to rejoining the Dodgers.

Pirates director of sports medicine Todd Tomcyzk said Wednesday that Priester (oblique) should return to game action soon, Jason Mackey of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette reports.

Priester threw live BP last week and responded well, so he's close to being cleared to pitch in games. It's possible that the right-hander will have a rehab assignment before rejoining Double-A Altoona.

Alexander had his contract selected from Triple-A Nashville ahead of his start against the Cubs on Wednesday.

The Brewers announced Alexander as Wednesday's starter following Tuesday's loss in Chicago, and he's now officially been added to the 40-man roster. The 29-year-old has a 2.64 ERA, 1.10 WHIP and 33:12 K:BB across 47.2 innings for Nashville this season, and with a decent performance, he could receive additional opportunities in Milwaukee's rotation since Brandon Woodruff (ankle) and Freddy Peralta (lat) are sidelined.

Tigers manager A.J. Hinch said Wednesday that Wentz will undergo further testing on his injured shoulder, Jason Beck of MLB.com reports.

The Tigers classified Wentz's injury as a left shoulder strain when he exited his start in the second game of Tuesday's doubleheader with the Twins after tossing four scoreless frames, but the upcoming checkup should provide more information with regard to a possible recovery timeline for the 24-year-old. Detroit had already optioned Wentz to Triple-A Toledo following Tuesday's outing, so he could be placed on the affiliate's 7-day injured list in the coming days.

Velasquez will start Friday's game against the Rays in Tampa Bay, Daryl Van Schouwen of the Chicago Sun-Times reports.

Velasquez shifted to the bullpen last week after he turned in an unsightly 5.79 ERA and 1.50 WHIP in his first seven starts of the season, but the White Sox determined he was a better option at the back end of the rotation than Dallas Keuchel, who was recently designated for assignment and released. Lance Lynn (knee) initiated a rehab assignment last weekend and may only need a couple more starts in the minors before he's ready to return from the 60-day injured list and make his season debut, so Velasquez likely won't be in store for a long-term appointment in the rotation if the team's other four starters stay healthy over the next two weeks.

Smyly was placed on the 15-day injured list with a right oblique strain Wednesday, retroactive to May 31.

Smyly exited Monday's nightcap against the Brewers due to a right oblique issue, and he'll land on the injured list after being diagnosed with a strain. It's not yet clear when he'll be able to return, and the Cubs haven't announced who will take his place in the rotation.

Sanchez was recalled from Triple-A Lehigh Valley on Wednesday.

Sanchez made five appearances (one start) for the Phillies earlier in the year, and he posted a 5.84 ERA and 1.30 WHIP in 12.1 innings. Although he worked mainly as a starter in the minors, he'll likely serve as a multi-inning reliever to begin his current stint with the Phillies.

The Marlins recalled Cabrera from Triple-A Jacksonville ahead of Wednesday's doubleheader with the Rockies in Colorado, Jordan McPherson of the Miami Herald reports. He'll start in the first game of the twin bill, according to McPherson.

Cabrera was in line to receive a call-up to start Tuesday's contest, but the game was postponed due to inclement weather in Denver. Rather than reordering their rotation as a result of the postponement, the Marlins will instead push each of their other four starters back a day in the pitching schedule, allowing Cabrera to start one half of the twin bill. If Cabrera fares well against the Rockies, he'll have a good chance at sticking around as the Marlins' fifth starter moving forward with both Jesus Luzardo (forearm) and Cody Poteet (elbow) on the injured list. Over his five outings with Jacksonville this season, Cabrera has turned in a 4.56 ERA, 1.38 WHIP and 32:12 K:BB across 23.2 innings.

The Rockies reinstated Senzatela (back) from the 15-day injured list ahead of his scheduled start in the first game of Wednesday's doubleheader with the Marlins.

Even though Senzatela was roughed up for four earned runs on eight hits and a walk over four innings in his rehab start Friday with Triple-A Albuquerque, the Rockies felt comfortable enough with how the right-hander checked out of the outing physically to bring him back from the IL. Since he built up to 77 pitches in the rehab start, Senzatela shouldn't face any major restrictions from a workload standpoint as he slots back into the Colorado rotation for the first time since May 16.