MLB Player News

Irvin (shoulder) struck out four and allowed one walk and no hits over 3.2 scoreless innings in a rehab start Friday with Double-A Harrisburg. He also hit a batter.

Irvin built up to 63 pitches (38 strikes) in the third start of his rehab assignment, during which he posted a stellar 12:0 K:BB while permitting just two hits in 11.1 scoreless frames between stops with Harrisburg and the Nationals' rookie-level Florida Complex League affiliate. Per MLB.com, Irvin returned to Washington to throw a bullpen session Monday, and while the club has yet to announce his next step, he appears likely to return from the 60-day injured list to start Thursday's series opener in Atlanta. Washington has already named its starters for the final three games of the series but is listing Thursday as "TBA," according to Chad Bishop of The Atlanta Journal-Constitution.

The Nationals reinstated Williams (elbow) from the 60-day injured list Wednesday.

Williams started in each of his 60 appearances with Washington over the previous three seasons, but manager Blake Butera has already said that the veteran right-hander will return to the big club in a long-relief role after posting shaky results during his rehab assignment while working his way back from internal brace surgery, which he underwent July 17, 2025. While making stops at five different affiliates from June 28 through this past Friday, Williams compiled a 6.46 ERA, 1.63 WHIP and 18:4 K:BB in 15.1 innings.

Nationals president of baseball operations Paul Toboni said Wednesday that Early (elbow) is projected to return from the 15-day injured list in the final week of August, Byron Kerr of MLB.com reports.

After acquiring Early from the Red Sox over the weekend, the Nationals seem to be preparing for a slow buildup for the left-hander as he works his way back from elbow inflammation. He's slated to throw a two-inning simulated bullpen session within the next day or two before likely throwing a simulated game Monday in Washington, D.C. or on the road in Philadelphia. After that, Early is expected to report to an affiliate to begin a rehab assignment, and he looks like he'll need around three starts in the minors before making his Nationals debut by the end of August.

Gusto is slated to start Wednesday's game against the Phillies at loanDepot Park.

Gusto will be making his second straight turn through the Miami rotation as a replacement for the injured Max Meyer (neck). The right-hander took the hill on two days' rest his last time out Friday against the Padres and was lifted after tossing 3.1 innings and 57 pitches, but he should have a slightly longer leash Wednesday.

Chandler didn't factor into the decision Tuesday against the Diamondbacks despite allowing five runs (four earned) on eight hits and a walk across four innings. He struck out three.

Chandler appeared headed for his ninth loss of the season, but the Pirates scored six runs between the eighth and ninth innings, so Chandler was able to escape with a no-decision. Still, he hasn't been consistent lately. Over his last six starts, the 24-year-old has three outings in which he's allowed two runs or fewer, and three in which he's given up at least four runs. Chandler will look to bounce back in his next start, tentatively scheduled for Sunday at Cincinnati.

Atlanta activated Smith-Shawver (elbow) from the 60-day injured list Wednesday.

Smith-Shawver will start the first game of Wednesday's doubleheader versus the Mets in what will be his first outing in the majors since he underwent Tommy John surgery in June 2025. The right-hander looked sharp in five rehab starts, collecting a 1.53 ERA and 21:5 K:BB over 17.2 innings. Smith-Shawver threw 86 pitches in his final rehab outing with Triple-A Gwinnett last Thursday, so he should be capable of working long enough in Wednesday's start to qualify for a win. He's not currently scheduled for any additional starts with Atlanta, but Smith-Shawver could force his way into the club's immediate plans if he pitches well Wednesday.

Carrillo (1-0) earned the win Tuesday against the Pirates after tossing two hitless and scoreless frames in extra innings, allowing a walk and striking out three.

Carrillo intentionally walked Bryan Reynolds to start the 11th inning, but that was the only baserunner he allowed in his two innings. He closed the door in the 12th, something neither Paul Sewald nor Kevin Ginkel could achieve earlier in the game, by striking out Tyler Callihan for the final out of the game. Since being promoted to the big-league roster July 21, Carrillo has allowed one earned run on five hits with a 6:4 K:BB across six innings in three outings.

Nola (3-9) was tagged with the loss Tuesday against the Marlins after allowing one run in 5.2 innings, giving up five hits and three walks while striking out four.

Nola gave up a solo shot to Kyle Stowers in the bottom of the first inning, and while he limited the damage the rest of the way, the offense didn't provide him any support. This marks the first time Nola has allowed fewer than two earned runs since May 4, when he tossed six scoreless innings against the Marlins, as the veteran hurler has been hard to trust in fantasy all season long. Nola owns a 5.49 ERA with a 1.45 WHIP and 60:21 K:BB across 11 starts and 57.1 innings since the beginning of June. He's scheduled to make his next start Monday at home against the Nationals.

Alcantara (11-6) earned the win Tuesday against the Phillies after tossing seven scoreless innings, allowing four hits and a walk while striking out five.

Alcantara tossed 64 of his 97 pitches for strikes in what was an impressive bounce-back outing after he gave up five runs on nine hits across seven frames at Houston his last time out. Alcantara has been hit or miss of late, trading outings in which he's allowed either one run or zero or at least three earned runs in his last six starts. He has a 3.32 ERA with a 34:12 K:BB across 40.2 innings in that stretch. He's lined up to make his next start Sunday on the road against the Mets.

Lorenzen allowed three runs on eight hits and a walk while striking out two over four-plus innings in a no-decision versus the Padres on Tuesday.

Lorenzen wasn't very efficient, throwing 61 of 93 pitches for strikes in this outing. He was able to benefit from the road environment, giving up no home runs for the second start in a row away from Colorado. The veteran right-hander is still a risky fantasy option regardless of location, as he's struggled to limit damage more often than not. Lorenzen has a 6.54 ERA, 1.81 WHIP and 80:40 K:BB through 104.2 innings over 23 appearances (22 starts) this season. He is tentatively projected to make his next start at home versus the Rays.