MLB Player News

Richards (3-7) took the loss Wednesday as the Marlins got routed 7-1 by the Cardinals, allowing three runs on four hits and two walks over 5.2 innings while striking out seven.

The rookie fell one out shy of his fourth quality start in his last five outings, getting the hook after 97 pitches (62 strikes) once the Cards broke open a 1-1 tie on Matt Carpenter's homer and Marcell Ozuna's RBI double. Richards will carry a 3.98 ERA into his next start Tuesday in Atlanta.

Kennedy (0-1) took the loss Wednesday, allowing six runs on 11 hits while striking out three over four innings against the Brewers.

It was a rough big-league debut for the 24-year-old, as right out of the gate he was tagged for back-to-back-to-back home runs in a five-run first inning. It's unclear if Kennedy will see another turn through the rotation and he certainly didn't do himself any favors in that regard in Wednesday's outing, but he's put up solid numbers with Triple-A El Paso this season. Over 89.1 innings at the level, he's 10-0 with a 2.72 ERA and 80:23 K:BB.

De Los Santos was optioned to Triple-A Lehigh Valley on Wednesday.

De Los Santos will head back to the minors after tossing 1.1 scoreless innings of relief in Wednesday's 6-0 win over the Diamondbacks. A corresponding move will be made prior to Friday's series opener against the Padres. The young righty owns a solid 2.51 ERA across 104 innings with Lehigh Valley.

Stephenson (0-1) allowed three runs on three hits and five walks while striking out four over four innings in a loss to the Mets on Wednesday.

Stephenson failed to carry the momentum from his recent run with Triple-A Louisville into his first major-league start of 2018. While he got 12 swinging strikes on 76 pitches, Stephenson seemed reluctant to challenge hitters in the zone after falling behind, which he did regularly throughout the afternoon. The former top prospect now has a 5.5 BB/9 in 125.2 innings at the big-league level, but it sounds like he will get one last chance to show what he can do as a starter down the stretch with the Reds moving back to a six-man rotation. Stephenson lines up to face the Indians at home next week.

Fields (shoulder) made a rehab appearance for the Dodgers' Arizona League affiliate Tuesday, striking out one over one scoreless inning while giving up two base hits.

Fields has been shut down since June 26 with right shoulder inflammation, so he'll likely require at least a few more appearances in the minors before the Dodgers bring him back from the 10-day disabled list. Prior to developing the injury, Fields had functioned as one of the top setup men for closer Kenley Jansen. He has recorded a 2.36 ERA, 0.93 WHIP, eight holds and two saves in 37 outings this season.

Interim manager Jim Riggleman said that Stephenson will be in the Reds' rotation moving forward and is not just making a spot start Wednesday, John Fay of The Cincinnati Enquirer reports.

It sounds like Cincinnati is moving back to a six-man rotation, with Stephenson taking over for Tyler Mahle, who was recently demoted to Triple-A Louisville. Stephenson will be making his first appearance of the season with the major-league team Wednesday, starting opposite Jacob deGrom. A former top prospect, Stephenson has failed to come close to living up to the hype so far, but his recent run with Louisville (68:22 K:BB in his last 56 innings) offers a glimmer of hope that he may still make it as a back-end starter.

The Reds recalled Stephenson from Triple-A Louisville ahead of his scheduled start Wednesday against the Mets.

Cincinnati optioned reliever Jesus Reyes to Louisville in order to make room on the active roster for Stephenson, who is likely just making a spot start for the big club with the team in need of a temporary sixth starter after playing a doubleheader over the weekend. Though he has mostly struggled in his previous stints in the majors, Stephenson returns to Cincinnati following a highly impressive run at Triple-A. He struck out 13 over six scoreless, one-hit innings his last time out Aug. 3 and has accrued a 1.61 ERA, 0.96 WHIP and 68:22 K:BB in 56 innings over his past nine outings.

Jansen recorded his 32nd save Tuesday, firing a scoreless inning with two strikeouts against the Athletics.

Jansen set down the first two batters he faced via strikeout, and ultimately needed just nine pitches to set Oakland down in order. With 32 saves, he's now tied with Wade Davis for the NL lead, and sports a tidy 2.15 ERA and 0.90 WHIP to go along with that total.

Pivetta (7-9) got the win Tuesday, tossing six shutout innings with six strikeouts while allowing five hits and a walk against the Diamondbacks.

Pivetta only allowed one baserunner to get past first base all night, and even then he quickly induced a double play to erase the threat. He's now tossed back-to-back quality starts, lowering his ERA to 4.51 -- his lowest mark since June -- to go along with an impressive 11.1 K/9. He'll take on the Red Sox on Tuesday next time out.

Minter allowed one hit in a scoreless ninth inning during Game 2 of Tuesday's doubleheader at Washington to record his ninth save of the season. He did not walk or strike out a batter.

Minter rebounded from his first blown save of the season Sunday with the scoreless effort Tuesday. The left-hander should retain a hold on the closer's role for the foreseeable future with Arodys Vizcaino (shoulder) still without a clear timetable for his return.