MLB Player News

Atlanta activated Smith-Shawver (oblique) from the 15-day injured Tuesday.

Smith-Shawver had been slated to make his second rehab start Tuesday with Triple-A Gwinnett, but he will rejoin the big club instead to offer length in the bullpen, per Justin Toscano of The Atlanta Journal-Constitution. The young right-hander struck out four and allowed one run over two innings in his lone rehab appearance last week with High-A Rome. Smith-Shawver went 4.1 shutout frames in his lone start this season for Atlanta back in late May before exiting with a strained oblique.

Marquez (elbow) made the sixth start of his rehab assignment Thursday with Double-A Hartford, covering 3.2 innings and giving up two runs (one earned) on five hits and one walk while striking out two.

According to MLB.com, Rockies manager Bud Black said Marquez's surgically repaired elbow came out fine following his latest rehab start, during which he built up to 69 pitches and hit 99 miles per hour with his fastball. Black suggested that Marquez will make one more rehab start with Hartford on Tuesday, and if all goes well, the right-hander's next outing will likely come with the big club. Marquez would line up for a start during the Rockies' final game before the All-Star break Sunday versus the Mets, but the organization may be more inclined to give him some extra time to recover from Tuesday's outing and wait until after the break before activating him from the 60-day injured list.

Gordon is scheduled to start Friday's game against the Mets at Citi Field.

Gordon was lit it up for five runs on eight hits in his MLB debut this past Sunday against the Royals, but the fact that he pitched into the seventh inning without issuing a walk and while striking out four batters offered some signs of encouragement. The 26-year-old righty may not necessarily be in store for a long-term stay with the big club, but he'll get at least one more turn through the rotation while the Rockies wait for German Marquez (elbow) to complete his rehab assignment before returning from the 60-day injured list.

Lodolo (finger) will be activated from the 15-day injured list to start Tuesday versus the Rockies, Jeff Wallner of the Associated Press reports.

Lodolo will skip a rehab assignment and slide right back into the Reds' rotation after missing the last two weeks of action with a blister on his pitching hand. It's possible the southpaw won't quite be ready for a full workload, but he's a must-start in fantasy, regardless, particularly in such a favorable matchup.

Diaz allowed one run on four hits and one walk while striking out five batters over six innings in a no-decision against Atlanta on Monday.

Diaz got the call-up to the majors after making just four starts at Triple-A and more than held his own against big-league hitters. The right-hander served up a solo homer to Austin Riley in the first frame but didn't allow any extra-base hits or runs thereafter, notching a quality start with five punchouts. Diaz certainly pitched well enough to earn another turn in the rotation, and if he gets that opportunity he's lined up to face the Blue Jays at home this weekend.

Elder tossed five-plus innings against Arizona on Monday, allowing three runs on four hits and two walks while striking out one batter in a no-decision.

Elder was recalled from Triple-A ahead of the contest to make a spot start as Chris Sale was pushed back an extra day for rest reasons. Elder was outstanding through five frames, allowing just two hits and no runs. However, he lost that momentum in the sixth, allowing four straight batters to reach base (on two singles and two walks) to surrender a run before getting the hook. Two more runs were charged to the right-hander's ledger following his departure, souring what had been an impressive outing. Elder may return to the minors in short order with Atlanta's rotation lined up until the All-Star break.

Feltner (1-8) yielded two runs (one earned) on four hits and three walks over seven innings Monday, striking out six and taking a loss against the Reds.

Feltner gave up a pair of runs in the fourth inning of what was otherwise a strong outing. He generated 14 swinging strikes on 92 pitches, his best output since forcing 22 whiffs in Philadelphia on April 17. He's 0-2 over his last three starts despite allowing just four earned runs over 18 frames during that stretch. Feltner lowered his ERA to 5.29 through 98.2 innings but hasn't picked up a win since April 12. He's currently lined up for a road matchup with the Mets this weekend.

Abbott (9-6) allowed three hits and two walks over seven scoreless innings Monday, striking out eight and earning a win over the Rockies.

Abbott was dominant Monday, retiring nine straight batters to begin the game and allowing just two runners to reach scoring position. He forced a season-high 19 whiffs; eight of those came via the fastball while his sweeper caused another seven. Abbott has won four straight starts and seven of his last nine dating back to May 21. He's allowed three or fewer earned runs over his last seven outings, posting a 2.70 ERA during that span. Abbott will carry a 3.06 ERA into his next start, which is lined up to be at home against Miami.

Mikolas (7-7) earned the win Monday at Washington, allowing six hits with no walks over 6.2 scoreless innings. He struck out three.

The veteran right-hander posted his second scoreless outing and 11th quality start of the season with this 93-pitch performance. Mikolas allowed just one extra-base hit -- a double by Keibert Ruiz in the fourth -- working around five singles en route to his 61st career win. The 35-year-old now owns a 4.88 ERA, 1.21 WHIP and 75:18 K:BB across 107 innings this season. He is currently not scheduled to make another start until after the All-Star break.

Montgomery (knee) will throw a 20-to-25 pitch bullpen session Tuesday, Alex Weiner of ArizonaSports.com reports.

Montgomery resumed flat-ground work over the weekend and has now been cleared to try things from the bump. The veteran left-hander is eligible to return from his right knee injury on Sunday, and it would appear possible that he'll be ready by that time. However, the Diamondbacks could also elect to push Montgomery's return until after the All-Star break in order to allow him extra time to heal.