MLB Player News

Atlanta optioned Shuster to Triple-A Gwinnett on Monday.

He won't end up getting another turn through the rotation after he stepped in as Atlanta's No. 5 starter this past weekend in place of the injured Yonny Chirinos (elbow). Shuster failed to escape the fifth inning in his start against the Giants on Sunday, taking the loss while giving up four earned runs on four hits and two walks over 4.2 innings. Atlanta called up right-hander Darius Vines from Triple-A in a corresponding move, and he could end up replacing Shuster as the big club's fifth starter this week if he isn't needed in relief over the next couple of days.

Vines was recalled from Triple-A Gwinnett on Monday, David O'Brien of The Athletic reports.

Vines has missed a large chunk of the season with a shoulder issue but has pitched well when healthy, including of late at Gwinnett with a 2.86 ERA and 25:11 K:BB over 28.1 frames. He will be available out of the bullpen for now, but if he's not needed the next two days, he could start Wednesday in Colorado. Vines will be making his major-league debut whenever he gets into a game.

General manager Ben Cherington confirmed that Ortiz will receive another start with the Pirates either Tuesday or Wednesday in Kansas City, Jason Mackey of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette reports.

The Pirates are condensing their rotation from six men to five this week, and Ortiz will end up sticking around over Osvaldo Bido, who was optioned to Triple-A Indianapolis on Sunday. Ortiz likely doesn't have a long leash in the Pittsburgh rotation, however, as he was roughed up for five earned runs on seven hits and five walks over 3.1 innings this past Wednesday against St. Louis in what marked his first outing with the Pirates since July 4. Through 12 outings (11 starts) with the big club this season, Ortiz owns a 5.37 ERA and 1.84 WHIP.

Teheran (hip) is set to make the next appearance of his rehab assignment Wednesday with Triple-A Nashville, Curt Hogg of the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel reports.

After striking out four batters while allowing one earned run on three hits and one walk over three innings in his first rehab outing Friday with High-A Wisconsin, Teheran will jump two levels for his second appearance. Assuming Teheran is able to build up from anywhere between four and six innings Wednesday, he should be ready to take on a traditional starting role with the Brewers. While Milwaukee wouldn't appear to have a rotation spot available for Teheran at the moment, that could change if the forearm tightness that knocked Adrian Houser out of Sunday's win over the Padres is serious enough to send him to the injured list.

Kelly (hamstring) is listed as the Diamondbacks' probable starting pitcher for Tuesday's game against the Dodgers in Los Angeles.

Kelly will be able to return to the hill on his normal four days rest despite exiting his most recent start Thursday versus the Reds due to a right hamstring cramp. The hamstring issue didn't prevent Kelly from turning in his best start of the season, as he held the Reds scoreless over seven frames while permitting just one hit and tying his career high with 12 strikeouts. Kelly has been stellar all season but especially so in August; through five starts this month, the right-hander has accrued a 2.08 ERA and 1.02 WHIP while striking out 37 over 30.1 innings.

Williams (6-8) took the loss Sunday against the Marlins after allowing two runs on five hits and two walks while striking out five over seven innings.

Williams turned in another impressive outing and actually recorded consecutive quality starts for the first time this season. Williams allowed both his runs in the third after Luis Arraez led off with a single and Jorge Soler followed with a two-run homer. The right-hander has now given up just two runs over his last 13 innings after allowing 20 runs in 19 innings over his previous four starts. Williams now sits at a 4.82 ERA, 1.46 WHIP and 99:45 K:BB in 130.2 innings. He has just one win since early July and will look to change that in a rematch with Miami his next time out.

Shuster dropped to 4-3 after allowing four runs on four hits and two walks while striking out three over 4.2 innings in Sunday's 8-5 loss to the Giants.

Making his first start for Atlanta since June 24, Shuster was solid enough through the first four innings, when he gave up two runs. He was knocked out of the game in the fifth inning, however, after he was charged with two more runs during the Giants' four-run frame. In between his last two MLB outings, Shuster made eight starts with Triple-A Gwinnett, posting an unsightly 7.32 ERA during that stretch. He now owns a 5.26 ERA and 28:24 K:BB through 49.2 MLB innings this season. If he sees another turn in the rotation, he'll likely face the Dodgers on the road next weekend.

Stone (1-0) earned the win in Sunday's 7-4 win over the Red Sox. He allowed four runs on five hits and zero walks while striking out two over six innings.

Recalled to make his first big-league appearance since July 4, Stone entered in the second and went six innings to earn his first career victory. Stone had allowed 17 earned runs over 12 innings over his previous four appearances but has pitched effectively in Triple-A since his most recent demotion, earning a 2.85 ERA with 49 strikeouts and 15 walks over 41 innings. It remains to be seen if this effort will earn Stone more opportunities moving forward for the Dodgers.

Ashcraft allowed two runs on seven hits and a walk over 6.2 frames in Sunday's loss to Arizona. He struck out five and did not factor in the decision.

Ashcraft gave up one run through six innings before coughing up a solo shot to Lourdes Gurriel in the seventh. Ashcraft has allowed three or fewer runs in 11 consecutive starts, posting a 2.39 ERA during that span. His season ERA still sits at 4.73 alongside a 105:51 K:BB through 140.2 frames. Ashcraft's next start is projected to be at home against the Cubs.

Cecconi allowed a run on three hits over 5.2 innings in Sunday's win over the Reds. He struck out five and did not factor in the decision.

Cecconi rolled through five scoreless frames before the Reds finally plated a run in the sixth inning. He's posted a 7:0 K:BB while giving up one run over his last 10.2 innings. The 24-year-old rookie is now sporting a 2.57 ERA across 21 MLB innings. Cecconi's next start is currently lined up to be at home against the Orioles.