MLB Player News

Gorman went 1-for-3 with a three-run home run, two walks and an additional run scored in Saturday's 8-5 win over the Brewers.

Gorman crushed a 433-foot homer off Jose Quintana to give the Cardinals a 7-1 lead in the fifth inning. He has been swinging a hot bat in June, going 9-for-28 with three home runs, eight RBI and five runs scored over 11 games. The 25-year-old is slashing .220/.317/.398 with four long balls, 17 RBI and 17 runs scored across just 139 plate appearances this season. He could be at risk of returning to the bench with Brendan Donovan (toe) expected back Sunday but has certainly made a strong case for continued playing time with his recent performance.

Quintana (4-2) took the loss against the Cardinals on Saturday, allowing seven runs (five earned) on eight hits and three walks with four strikeouts over 4.1 innings.

Quintana was tagged for six runs across the fourth and fifth innings, failing to complete five frames for the first time this season despite throwing 101 pitches. It was the southpaw's first hiccup in three starts since returning from the injured list June 1, though he's now issued at least three walks in each of those outings. He owns a 3.35 ERA, 1.43 WHIP and 35:21 K:BB across 48.1 innings and will look to bounce back in a road matchup with the Twins next weekend.

Pallante did not factor into the decision in Saturday's 8-5 win over the Brewers, allowing four runs (three earned) on four hits and two walks with seven strikeouts over 4.1 innings.

Pallante opened with three scoreless frames before allowing four runs across the fourth and fifth. The 26-year-old induced 12 whiffs on 82 pitches while limiting hard contact, but he's now failed to complete five innings in two of his last three outings. He'll take a 4.83 ERA, 1.38 WHIP and 54:26 K:BB across 76.1 innings into a home matchup with the Reds next weekend.

Sanchez did not factor into the decision in Saturday's 3-2 win over the Blue Jays, allowing two runs on five hits and no walks with five strikeouts over seven innings.

Sanchez allowed two runs in the fourth inning but was otherwise excellent, throwing 68 of 98 pitches for strikes without issuing a walk for just the second time this season. The 28-year-old delivered his third straight quality start and has been remarkably consistent, allowing three earned runs or fewer in 13 of his 14 outings. He'll carry a 3.05 ERA, 1.24 WHIP and 88:28 K:BB across 79.2 innings into a favorable matchup with the Marlins next week.

Kepler went 1-for-2 with a solo home run, two walks and an additional run scored in Saturday's 3-2 win over the Blue Jays.

Kepler broke a 2-2 tie with what proved to be a game-winning solo home run in the bottom of the eighth inning. After opening June in a 1-for-18 slump, the 32-year-old has hit safely in four straight games with four extra-base hits, four RBI and five runs scored. On the season, he's slashing .214/.303/.398 with eight home runs, 25 RBI and 29 runs scored across 234 plate appearances, and he continues to sit regularly against left-handed pitching.

Strahm earned the save in Saturday's 3-2 win over the Blue Jays, striking out one in a perfect ninth inning.

Strahm was called upon to protect a one-run lead in the ninth and needed just seven pitches to do so. It was notable that the southpaw was used against three right-handed hitters, perhaps a reflection of Jordan Romano allowing runs in three of his past four appearances. On the year, Strahm owns a 3.49 ERA, 1.16 WHIP, and 33:8 K:BB across 28.1 innings, and he could challenge for the closer role if Romano's struggles persist.

Kerkering (5-2) threw a clean eighth inning in Saturday's 3-2 victory over the Blue Jays, striking out one while earning the win.

Kerkering has been excellent in relief for over a month now -- he last conceded an earned run back on May 6. The 24-year-old right-hander's streak of no earned runs is up to 13.1 innings, during which he owns a 1.20 WHIP and 12:7 K:BB. It was interesting to see the Phillies bypass presumed closer Jordan Romano in a save opportunity in favor of left-hander Matt Strahm on Saturday, which suggests the club may have an unclear bullpen hierarchy that could also leave the door open for Kerkering to work his way into the mix.

Verlander (pectoral) completed a bullpen session Saturday and is expected to return during the Giants' upcoming homestand, which begins Tuesday versus the Guardians, Alex Pavlovic of NBC Sports Bay Area reports.

Verlander completed a 65-pitch sim game Wednesday in what appeared to be his final test before being activated from the injured list. Saturday's activity may have been one final confirmation that he's ready to retake the big-league mound, which he appears likely to do within the next week.

Donovan (toe) expects to return to the lineup Sunday versus the Brewers, John Denton of MLB.com reports.

Donovan took batting practice and fielded ground balls Saturday and was pain-free afterward. He will wear a carbon-fiber orthotic in his shoe in the short term, but it appears that he will avoid a stint on the injured list after missing the past four games.

Holmes will start Sunday against the Rockies, David O'Brien of The Athletic reports.

Chris Sale was originally scheduled to start, but Atlanta will push him back to its upcoming series against the Mets. Holmes will draw a more favorable matchup as a result, but he has a 5.65 ERA and 1.47 WHIP across his last 14.1 innings (three starts).