MLB Player News

Hill is no longer lined up to make his next turn through the rotation this weekend in Milwaukee, as the Padres have instead named Pedro Avila their starter for Saturday's game against the Brewers, AJ Cassavell of MLB.com reports.

The Padres haven't formally announced that Hill will be removed from the rotation, but the veteran southpaw will have at least one turn skipped after going 0-3 with a 9.53 ERA and 1.50 WHIP in three starts since being acquired from the Pirates on Aug. 1. Hill should be available out of the bullpen this weekend and could even piggyback Avila on Saturday. Whether Hill will rejoin the rotation or continue working out of the bullpen next week will likely hinge on how Avila fares in Milwaukee.

Woodford (shoulder) yielded just one hit while striking out six over five scoreless frames in a rehab start with Double-A Springfield on Wednesday.

The right-hander needed just 56 pitches to cruise through his five innings in what could be his final rehab appearance before rejoining the Cardinals. With the rotation needs St. Louis has right now, Woodford would seem to be a good bet to be used as a starter down the stretch. He's been out since late June with a right shoulder strain.

Gomber came away with a no-decision in Wednesday's 6-5 extra-inning loss to the Rays, giving up three runs on seven hits and two walks over six innings. He struck out four.

The southpaw exited the game after 82 pitches (54 strikes) in line for his career-high 10th win of the season, but the Rockies bullpen imploded late. The quality start was Gomber's fifth in eight trips to the mound since the All-Star break, a stretch in which he's posted a 3.69 ERA, 1.40 WHIP and 25:11 K:BB through 46.1 innings. He figures to be an extremely risky play in his next outing, which is likely to come at home in Coors Field early next week against Atlanta.

Burnes did not factor into the decision Wednesday, allowing six runs on eight hits and one walk over six innings in a victory over the Twins. He struck out five.

Burnes didn't have his best stuff Wednesday, allowing back-to-back singles to open the contest before going on to surrender three home runs on the day, the most he's allowed in a start since May 22. It was the right-hander's third time this season allowing at least six earned runs, and he's now given up at least five runs in two of his last three starts. Burnes holds a 4.74 ERA through four August starts after pitching to a 1.85 ERA in July and is now winless over his last six outings.

Kershaw allowed one run on one hit while striking out four batters over two innings against Cleveland on Wednesday in a game that was suspended due to rain.

Kershaw seemed to have his stuff working early, racking up eight swinging strikes on 33 pitches and getting each of his final four outs via strikeout. He allowed a solo homer to Jose Ramirez in the first inning but held a 3-1 lead after two frames before the contest was halted and then suspended due to rain. Perhaps the short outing will be positive for Kershaw in the long run, as he's dealt with multiple injuries over the past few seasons and was making just this third start Wednesday since returning from an injury absence that lasted about six weeks. The Dodgers and Guardians will resume the suspended contest Thursday, but Kershaw obviously won't pitch in that contest and thus won't factor into the decision.

Gore (6-10) took the loss against the Yankees on Wednesday, allowing six runs (two earned) on four hits and one walk while striking out four batters over four innings.

Gore left his previous start early due to a cut fingernail and blister, but that didn't appear to be a problem for him Wednesday. Instead, Aaron Judge was the root of the hurler's struggles, as the slugger tagged him for a solo homer in the first inning and a grand slam in the second. The four runs that scored on the latter long ball were all unearned due to a two-out Washington error, keeping Gore's ERA from taking too big of a hit. Still, Gore hasn't picked up a victory in any of his past five starts and has posted a mediocre 4.38 ERA and 1.37 WHIP over 127.1 innings on the campaign.

Richardson allowed three runs on four hits and three walks while striking out three over 4.1 innings in a no-decision against the Angels in the second game of Wednesday's doubleheader.

Richardson was recalled from Triple-A Louisville as the 27th man for the doubleheader, so it's unclear if his stay on the major-league roster will last beyond Wednesday. He didn't do much to make a case for himself in a poor spot start. The right-hander threw 45 of 79 pitches for strikes in the outing, his second in the majors this year. He's allowed seven runs over 7.1 innings with a 5:6 K:BB in those appearances.

Morton (13-10) allowed two hits and a walk while striking out 11 over seven shutout innings to earn the win Wednesday over the Mets.

Morton has thrown 18 scoreless innings over his last three starts, and he's record double-digit strikeouts in each of his last two outings. Wednesday's effort was his best work this season. He's trimmed his ERA from 3.86 on Aug. 6 to 3.37 now, and he's added a 1.38 WHIP and 157:67 K:BB through 141.2 innings across 25 starts. The 39-year-old right-hander is lined up for a road start in Colorado next week.

Quintana (1-5) allowed five runs on nine hits and three walks while striking out five over 5.1 innings to take the loss Wednesday versus Atlanta.

Quintana failed to complete six innings for the first time since his season debut July 20 versus the White Sox. Atlanta is the first team he's faced multiple times this year, but he couldn't replicate the success of allowing one run over six innings on Aug. 12. Quintana is now at a 3.73 ERA, 1.39 WHIP and 30:17 K:BB through 41 innings across seven starts this season. He's tentatively projected for a home start versus the Rangers next week.

Lugo (5-6) picked up the win in Wednesday's 4-0 victory over the Marlins, allowing three hits and a walk over six scoreless innings. He struck out four.

Only one Miami baserunner even reached scoring position while Lugo was on the mound. It's the right-hander's second straight quality start and fifth in his last seven outings, a stretch in which he's posted a 3.57 ERA, 1.19 WHIP and 43:12 K:BB through 40.1 innings. Lugo will look to keep rolling in his next start, likely to come early next week in St. Louis.