MLB Player News

Coonrod (lat) threw a 30-pitch bullpen session Friday, Maria I. Guardado of MLB.com reports.

Coonrod was able to resume throwing Friday, but a timetable for his return still isn't known. The right-hander will be re-evaluated Saturday, after which a better idea of his status could come into focus. Coonrod has been dealing with a right lat strain that has kept him sidelined since the end of July.

Young will start Saturday's game against the Padres, Zach Buchanan of The Athletic reports.

Young has officially replaced Madison Bumgarner (back) in the rotation. The 26-year-old southpaw has a 3.86 ERA, 1.23 WHIP and 69 strikeouts in 77 innings as a big-league starter dating back to 2019. If Young pitches well, he could stick in the rotation for the rest of the season, as Robbie Ray, Luke Weaver and Bumgarner all have earned run averages north of 9.00 through four starts.

Kelly cleared waivers and was outright to the Phillies' alternate training site Friday, Todd Zolecki of MLB.com reports.

The 26-year-old was designated for assignment Tuesday but will remain with the organization after going unclaimed on waivers. Kelley gave up four runs on eight hits over 3.1 innings this season.

De Los Santos cleared waivers and was outrighted to the Phillies' alternate training site Friday, Todd Zolecki of MLB.com reports.

The 24-year-old was designated for assignment last weekend but will remain in the organization after going unclaimed on waivers. De Los Santos had a 7.36 ERA over 11 innings last season and has yet to appear in a game in 2020.

Castano will start Saturday's game against the Braves, Craig Mish of SportsGrid.com reports.

The 25-year-old made his major-league debut last weekend and allowed five runs (four earned) over 4.1 innings, and he'll take the mound again Saturday. Castano may continue to see starting chances until the Marlins near full strength following their COVID-19 outbreak.

Smith was recalled from the alternate training site Friday

The veteran left-hander was returned to the alternate training site Aug. 6 after being promoted a couple days earlier. Smith appeared in 14 games between the Indians and Marlins last year and had a 6.39 ERA and 1.74 WHIP over 12.2 innings.

Smith was optioned to the Mets' alternate training site Friday, Tim Britton of The Athletic reports.

The 26-year-old was demoted in order to make room on the roster for Robinson Cano (groin), who was activated off the injured list. Smith pitched well with two runs allowed and a 6:0 K:BB through six innings, so he figures to rejoin the big-league club before long.

Romero was recalled from the Phillies' alternate training site Friday, Todd Zolecki of MLB.com reports.

The 23-year-old was unable to earn a spot on the Opening Day roster, but he's now on the cusp of his major-league debut after being promoted Friday. Romero split 2019 between Double-A and Triple-A and had a 5.82 ERA and 1.55 WHIP over 11.1 innings, and he should work in long relief for the Phillies.

Howard is confirmed as the starting pitcher Friday in the Phillies' series opener against the Mets, Todd Zolecki of MLB.com reports.

When Howard was called up to make his big-league debut last Sunday versus the Braves, he joined the Phillies as a sixth member of the rotation while the team played its sixth game in five days. With no doubleheaders on the schedule this week, manager Joe Girardi has scaled the rotation back to five men, and it looks as though Howard will at least temporarily keep his spot over Vince Velasquez, who worked an inning of relief in Thursday's 11-4 loss to the Orioles. Velasquez will likely be needed to start again in the Aug. 20 doubleheader against the Blue Jays, so Howard may need a strong showing both Friday and in his next turn to build a case for sticking in the five-man rotation on a more permanent basis. The 24-year-old was shaky in his debut outing, striking out four in 4.2 innings but giving up four runs on seven hits and a walk.

Voth (0-2) took the loss against the Mets on Thursday, allowing three runs on six hits and two walks over four innings. He struck out two.

Voth's outing was ultimately soured by homers from Dominic Smith (solo) and Tomas Nido (two-run). Voth was pulled after finishing the fourth inning with 86 pitches thrown. The right-hander will look to bounce back and go deeper into the game when he takes the ball Tuesday in Atlanta.