MLB Player News

Wheeler did not factor into the decision Tuesday, allowing six runs on seven hits and three walks over five innings in a 7-6 loss to Atlanta. He struck out four.

Even the 33-year-old ace wasn't impervious to Atlanta's vaunted offense, yielding home runs of the solo, two-run and three-run varieties. It was the first time this season that Wheeler has allowed more than two homers in a start. He had been on a roll in his previous three starts, giving up just four earned runs across 19 innings with an awe-inspiring 27:2 K:BB during that stretch. However, Tuesday's poor performance inflated the righty's season-long ERA to 3.70, the highest in his four years in Philadelphia. Wheeler currently lines up for a road rematch with Atlanta early next week.

Fried did not factor into the decision Tuesday, allowing one run on four hits and two walks over five innings in a 7-6 win over the Phillies. He struck out six.

The 29-year-old left-hander's sole earned run came via the long ball when Nick Castellanos took him deep in the second inning. Fried blanked Philadelphia otherwise, but despite leaving with a 6-1 lead, he settled for a no-decision due to Philadelphia's late comeback. Tuesday's outing marked Fried's sixth consecutive start in which he limited the opposition to three or fewer earned runs, posting a 4-0 record with a 2.78 ERA, 1.29 WHIP and 36:10 K:BB across 35.2 innings during that span. Fried is slated for a rematch with the Phillies in his next start, which is tentatively scheduled for early next week.

Williamson did not factor into the decision Tuesday, allowing five runs on seven hits and two walks over four innings against the Tigers. He struck out four.

Williamson returned from the COVID-19-related injured list Tuesday and lasted only four innings, his shortest outing since July 6. The 25-year-old rookie looked especially rusty during a 29-pitch first inning in which he allowed three runs on five hits. Williamson will look to bounce back in his next start, which is slated to come on the road against the Mets this weekend.

Nationals manager Davey Martinez said Rutledge will make his major-league debut Wednesday against Pittsburgh, Bobby Blanco of MASNSports.com reports.

Rutledge began the season with Double-A Harrisburg and has posted a 4.44 ERA and 1.51 WHIP through 50.2 innings since being promoted to Triple-A Rochester in June. The 24-year-old righty doesn't strike batters out at a particularly high rate (7.9 K/9), and he's struggled with walks (5.4 BB/9) since reaching Triple-A, so fantasy managers would be wise to temper expectations as Rutledge makes his first major-league start.

The Padres announced Tuesday that Darvish (elbow) has officially been shut down for the rest of the season, Dennis Lin of The Athletic reports.

Darvish was placed on the 15-day injured list Aug. 28 due to a bone spur in his right elbow. His recovery has been slower than expected, so he'll turn his focus to rest and rehab over the next few weeks while the Padres play out the string on a non-playoff-contending season. The 37-year-old righty will finish the 2023 campaign with a 4.56 ERA and 1.30 WHIP alongside a 141:43 K:BB through 136.1 innings.

Houser (elbow) will be activated from the 15-day injured list to start Thursday's game against the Marlins, Adam McCalvy of MLB.com reports.

Houser needed just a couple weeks of rest to recover from the elbow swelling that sent him to the IL on Aug. 28. The 30-year-old right-hander carries a 4.58 ERA, 1.48 WHIP and 77:28 K:BB in 90.1 innings this season with the Brewers.

Kershaw (shoulder) is expected to make his next start Saturday in Seattle, Fabian Ardaya of The Athletic reports.

Kershaw was skipped on his latest turn through the Dodgers' rotation, but manager Dave Roberts assured reporters Sunday that the veteran left-hander is not in danger of requiring a stint on the injured list. He's battled off-and-on shoulder issues for much of the second half but threw a bullpen session Tuesday without issue.

Ashby (shoulder) isn't expected to return from the 60-day injured list this season, Adam McCalvy of MLB.com reports.

The left-hander hasn't suffered a setback in his recovery from the arthroscopic shoulder procedure he underwent in April, but the Brewers want him to focus on building up his arm in the minors over the next few weeks rather than gearing up for a return to the MLB bullpen. Assuming the Brewers don't deviate from that plan, Ashby will continue to make rehab appearances at Double-A Biloxi this week before moving up to Triple-A Nashville, where he'll finish the 2023 campaign. Ashby has resided on the Brewers' IL all season but began his rehab assignment at High-A Wisconsin earlier this month, striking out five and walking five while allowing three runs (two earned) in 3.2 innings over three appearances before moving up to Biloxi.

Rutledge has joined the Nationals' taxi squad and could be promoted from Triple-A Rochester to make his major-league debut Wednesday versus the Pirates, Grant Paulsen of 106.7 The Fan Washington reports.

Washington has yet to name a starter for Wednesday's game, but Rutledge looks to be the top candidate for the nod. The 24-year-old right-hander was drafted by the Nationals with the 17th overall pick in the 2019 First-Year Player Draft and has worked to a 3.71 ERA, 1.27 WHIP and 106:55 K:BB in 119 innings (23 starts) this season between Double-A Harrisburg and Rochester.

Hill was placed on waivers by the Padres on Tuesday, Joel Sherman of the New York Post reports.

San Diego will hope to get a bit of salary relief on the veteran left-hander, but he could very well pass through waivers unclaimed. Hill, 43, has struggled to a 9.27 ERA in 22.1 innings (five starts, two relief appearances) since being acquired from the Pirates at the Aug. 1 trade deadline.