MLB Player News

Blach (3-7) yielded five runs on five hits and two walks over four innings Sunday, striking out one and taking a loss against Baltimore.

Blach was promoted from Triple-A Albuquerque for his first MLB appearance since July 26. He gave up one run through three innings before Baltimore's four-run fourth frame, capped off by James McCann's two-run blast. Blach now owns a 6.65 ERA with a 35:18 K:BB through 67.2 innings with Colorado this season. He's currently scheduled to start in Milwaukee next weekend, but it's unclear if he'll get another turn in the rotation.

Kershaw was spotted playing catch on the field prior to Sunday's 14-3 loss to the Diamondbacks, David Vassegh of AM 570 LA Sports reports.

Kershaw remains without a definitive timeline to be reinstated from the 15-day injured list, but the fact that he was able to do some throwing one day after being deactivated and two days after exiting his start against the Diamondbacks with a bone spur in his left big toe bodes well for a quick return. Manager Dave Roberts noted Saturday that the toe issue makes it difficult for Kershaw to move around, so the veteran southpaw may need to prove that he can comfortably field his position before the Dodgers have a better sense of when he might be activated. The Dodgers called up lefty Justin Wrobleski from Triple-A Oklahoma City on Sunday to fill Kershaw's spot in the rotation.

Mikolas did not factor into the decision in Sunday's win against the Yankees, allowing five runs (three earned) on seven hits and zero walks while striking out five in four innings.

Mikolas held his own through four innings, allowing one earned run on a solo home run to Giancarlo Stanton in the second. Things fell apart in the fifth, however, as Mikolas allowed three runners to score before exiting with the bases loaded and zero out. Fortunately for Mikolas, reliever John King was able to escape the jam unscathed, preventing any further damage. The 36-year-old has done an admirable job eating up innings for the Cardinals this season, but the veteran owns an ugly 5.27 ERA, second-worst among qualified pitchers. Mikolas will look to bounce back in his next start, currently scheduled for next weekend against Seattle.

Cease did not factor into the decision Sunday, allowing three runs on two hits and three walks over five innings against the Rays. He struck out four.

Cease entered the sixth with a three-run lead, having managed to hold the Rays off the board through five while allowing only two batters to reach base. However, Cease was removed from the game after loading the bases while not recording an out in the sixth, making him responsible for all three runners that eventually came around to score. It was the third time over his last four starts that Cease has walked at least three batters, though he did allow just five batters to reach base over five-plus innings after having allowed 37 baserunners during his previous 21.1 frames. He's next scheduled to take the hill in a home matchup against the Giants.

Curry (1-2) struck out two over 1.2 perfect innings of relief and was credited with a win Sunday in the Marlins' 7-5 victory over the Giants.

After covering five innings with Triple-A Jacksonville on Aug. 23, Curry looked to be a candidate to fill the vacant fifth spot in the Miami rotation following his call-up Wednesday, but the Marlins instead turned to Darren McCaughan on Sunday to fill the opening. Curry, who retired both batters he faced in relief during Saturday's 4-3 win, has yet to allow a baserunner in 2.1 innings with Miami.

Williamson did not factor into the decision in Sunday's win over Milwaukee, allowing two earned runs on four hits and zero walks while striking out five in 3.1 innings.

Working his way back from a shoulder injury that sidelined most of the season, Williamson made his 2024 debut Sunday after just one rehab start in the minors. The 26-year-old impressed early on, retiring the first seven batters he faced and logging a strong second inning during which he struck out the side. Williamson slowed down as the game progressed, allowing a sacrifice fly in the third and a solo home run to Willy Adames in the fourth before departing after 66 pitches. Williamson displayed impressive control Sunday, throwing 44 of his 66 pitches for strikes en route to a flawless 5:0 K:BB. The southpaw started 23 games for Cincinnati as a rookie last season, going 5-5 with a 4.46 ERA, 1.28 WHIP and 98:39 K:BB in 117 innings.

The Diamondbacks recalled Cecconi from Triple-A Reno prior to Sunday's 14-3 win over the Dodgers.

Cecconi has started in 13 of his 17 appearances for the Diamondbacks this season, but with Arizona's rotation at full strength heading into the final month of the season, the right-hander will fill a relief role this time around. He had already made the transition to the bullpen after being sent down to Reno on Aug. 9, striking out 10 while allowing five runs (four earned) on four hits and two walks over 9.2 innings across seven appearances prior to his call-up.

Myers did not factor into the decision in Sunday's loss to the Reds, allowing three runs (two earned) on eight hits and four walks while striking out seven in 5.2 innings.

Sunday's outing could have been much worse for Myers, who matched his season-worst marks in both hits and walks allowed with eight and four, respectively. Myers was able to limit the damage with some timely strikeouts, allowing two runs to score on sacrifice flies and a third on a Jake Fraley solo home run. Myers has been a highly dependable pitcher for the Brewers this season, particularly since the All-Star break, after which he has allowed three runs or fewer in all eight of his starts. During that span, Myers owns an impressive 2.76 ERA, 1.25 WHIP and 39:12 K:BB in 42.1 innings. The right-hander is tentatively scheduled for a favorable home start against Colorado next weekend.

The Phillies recalled Phillips from Triple-A Lehigh Valley on Sunday. He's scheduled to start Tuesday versus the Blue Jays in Toronto, according to Todd Zolecki of MLB.com.

As expected, Phillips will be taking over as the Phillies' new No. 5 starter after the struggling Taijuan Walker was moved to the bullpen last week. After getting his first big-league call-up in July, Phillips enjoyed a strong run through his first four outings with a 1.80 ERA and 0.76 WHIP in 25 innings, including a complete-game shutout of the Guardians on July 27. However, Phillips struggled badly thereafter to earn a demotion to Triple-A, giving up 17 earned runs over his final three starts. He failed to deliver a quality start in either of his two outings with Lehigh Valley following his demotion, so he'll be difficult to use with much confidence in fantasy leagues, even though he'll tentatively line up for a two-start week in his return to the majors. After the Toronto outing, Phillips could pick up another start next Sunday in Miami.

Manaea (11-5) tossed seven shutout innings while allowing just two hits and two walks in Sunday's win over the White Sox. He struck out five.

Manaea was dominant once again, posting a start of at least seven innings for the third time in his last four outings and fifth in his last seven. Manaea has a 2.79 ERA since July 1, allowing three runs or fewer in all but one start since then. On his fourth team in as many years, Manaea is putting together one of the best seasons of his career. He currently owns a 3.35 ERA, 1.12 WHIP and 154:54 K:BB in 150.2 innings and lines up to face the Reds in his next start.