MLB Player News

Spiers (shoulder) will begin a rehab assignment July 3 with the Reds' affiliate in the Arizona Complex League, MLB.com reports.

Spiers will be limited to three innings in his first outing for the ACL Reds. The right-hander has been on the injured list -- first the 15-day before shifting to the 60-day IL -- since April 20 with what was described as a shoulder impingement. Given the need for Spiers to build up innings and pitch counts, he's looking at multiple rehab starts before activation.

Abel didn't throw a pitch in Friday's 13-0 rout of Atlanta due to a two-hour, 19-minute rain delay.

Both scheduled starting pitchers had already warmed up before the umpiring crew signaled for the delay, but Philly elected not to send Abel to the mound when play finally began and went with a bullpen game instead, while Altanta stuck with Bryce Elder. It's not clear yet if Abel will have his turn skipped completely, or if the Phillies will use the hiccup to shuffle their rotation.

Ortiz (4-9) took the loss Friday, giving up four runs on six hits and a walk over seven innings in a 5-0 loss to the Cardinals. He struck out five.

The right-hander had no margin for error as Sonny Gray was busy firing a one-hitter for St. Louis, but Ortiz left a few too many pitches over the middle of the plate -- four of the six hits off him went for extra bases, including third-inning homers by Pedro Pages and Alec Burleson. Ortiz still generated 32 called or swinging strikes among his 102 pitches (69 total strikes) as he completed seven frames for the first time this season. He compiled a respectable 4.30 ERA, 1.26 WHIP and 32:12 K:BB over 29.1 innings in June, but Ortiz will face a tough test to begin July, as he's scheduled for a road start next week against the Cubs.

Gray (8-2) picked up the win in Friday's 5-0 victory over the Guardians, allowing just one hit over nine scoreless innings. He struck out 11 without walking a batter.

A Nolan Jones single in the fifth inning was the only thing standing between Gray and a perfect game, as he fired 66 of 89 pitches for strikes in the fifth shutout of his career, and his first since 2015. The veteran right-hander also set a new season high with the 11 strikeouts, and he's reached double digits three times in his last seven starts, a stretch in which he's delivered a 2.06 ERA, 0.98 WHIP and 50:5 K:BB over 43.2 innings. Gray will look to keep dealing in his next outing, which lines up to come on the road next week in Pittsburgh.

Gilbert settled for the no-decision after throwing 5.1 innings, allowing four runs on five hits and one walk while striking out seven in Friday's 7-6 win over the Rangers.

Since his opening start of the year when he went seven strong, Gilbert has failed to pitch into the seventh inning in nine starts since. Along with the inability to work deep into ballgames, keeping the ball in the ballpark has been a struggle for the 28-year-old as well as he's allowed a home run in four straight outings. The right-hander is lined up to face the Royals in his next start.

Eovaldi took the no-decision after throwing three innings, allowing three runs on five hits and two walks while striking out two in Friday's 7-6 loss to the Mariners.

Eovaldi made his first start in exactly a month, and it came with mixed results. The 35-year-old lasted just three innings and 45 pitches, and he surrendered three runs in the process, tied for his most runs allowed in a start all season. It will likely take some time for the right-hander to get where he was before the injury, and that was one of the best pitchers in the game while sporting a 1.56 ERA. Assuming no setbacks, Eovaldi is set to face the Orioles in his next appearance.

Soriano allowed eight runs on nine hits and two walks while striking out four over four-plus innings in a no-decision versus the Nationals on Friday.

Soriano had allowed just two runs over his prior three starts, spanning 20.2 innings, but he burned fantasy managers in what was a favorable matchup on paper. Despite the poor performance, he escaped with his fourth no-decision in five starts in June, as the Angels pulled ahead in their half of the fifth inning following his exit. Soriano was consistently strong in May, but he bookended his strong three-start stretch in the middle of June with poor outings to begin and end the month. Overall, he's at a 3.99 ERA, 1.47 WHIP and 84:45 K:BB through 97 innings over 17 starts this season. The right-hander's next outing is expected to be on the road in Atlanta.

Irvin allowed nine runs (eight earned) on nine hits and four walks while striking out five over 4.1 innings in a no-decision Friday versus the Angels.

Irvin was awful, but so was his counterpart, Angels starter Jose Soriano. Things were ugly early for Irvin, who gave up five runs over his first three innings -- all on home runs -- before faltering again in the fourth and fifth. This was his shortest start of the season and the sixth time in 17 starts he's allowed four or more runs. Irvin is at a 4.73 ERA, 1.30 WHIP and 71:30 K:BB through 99 innings. He's projected to make his next start at home in a tough matchup versus the Tigers.

Kelly (7-4) allowed five runs (three earned) on six hits and a walk while striking out seven over five-plus innings, taking the loss versus the Marlins on Friday.

Kelly was let down by his defense in the fifth inning and was then removed after giving up a solo home run to Kyle Stowers to lead off the sixth. Kelly has allowed 12 runs (nine earned) across 16 innings over his last three starts after opening June with 13 scoreless frames. He also dialed up at least seven strikeouts in each of his five outings this month, providing consistency in that area even when there were some mildly crooked numbers on his line. The right-hander now has a 3.49 ERA, 1.07 WHIP and 100:26 K:BB through 98 innings over 17 starts this season. He's projected for a home start versus the Giants next week.

Quintana (6-2) picked up the win after throwing 5.2 innings, allowing four runs on seven hits and two walks while striking out five in Friday's 10-6 victory over the Rockies.

Quintana wasn't too sharp, but he rode a good offensive effort from the Brewers to the win. He's walked multiple batters in six straight starts and 18 total over that time, continuing a season-long theme for the left-hander. However, he's certainly gotten results as Friday marked just the third time he's allowed more than two runs in a start all season. The 36-year-old is lined up to face the Mets in his next outing.