MLB Player News

Richardson was recalled from Triple-A Louisville on Wednesday, Charlie Goldsmith of The Cincinnati Enquirer reports.

Richardson will serve as the 27th man for the Reds in Wednesday's doubleheader against the Angels. All 22 of the 23-year-old's appearances this season between the majors and minors have been as a starter, so he should be able to handle a lengthy relief outing, if needed. The Reds aren't yet listing a starter for the second game of the twin bill and could turn to either Richardson or Brett Kennedy to fill the opening.

Smyly (9-9) took the loss Tuesday, allowing seven runs on eight hits and three walks over 3.2 innings in an 8-6 loss to the Tigers. He struck out four.

The veteran southpaw's return to Chicago's rotation was a disaster, as he allowed 11 baserunners and served up two long homers to Andy Ibanez. Smyly pitched well in his three recent relief appearances, but this marks his second consecutive start allowing seven earned runs. Smyly now has an 8.60 ERA and 1.62 WHIP across 30.1 second-half innings and it remains to be seen whether he will receive another start.

The Pirates recalled Ortiz from Triple-A Indianapolis ahead of his scheduled start Wednesday against the Cardinals at PNC Park.

Ortiz will rejoin the Pirates for what will be his first appearance since the All-Star break, despite being roughed up to the tune of a 7.77 ERA and 1.92 WHIP in 24.1 innings at Triple-A since being demoted July 5. Even though Ortiz appears to be getting what amounts to a spot start Wednesday, he may get a chance to stick around in the Pittsburgh rotation if he performs better against the Cardinals than anticipated in his return to the majors.

Oviedo (7-13) earned the win Tuesday, allowing one run on four hits and a walk over five innings against the Cardinals. He struck out five.

It was a solid performance from Oviedo, who'd allowed 10 runs over his previous two starts (nine innings). The lone damage against him Tuesday came on a Richie Palacios solo homer in the fifth. The 25-year-old Oviedo lowered his ERA to 4.46 with a 1.33 WHIP and 129:62 K:BB across 26 starts (145.1 innings) this season. He's currently lined up for a home matchup with the Cubs in his next outing this weekend.

Wainwright (3-9) took the loss Tuesday, allowing six runs on seven hits and a walk over 4.2 innings in a 6-3 loss against the Pirates. He struck out three.

After logging a quality start in his previous outing against the Mets, Wainwright was tagged for six runs against the Pirates as he took his eighth loss in his last nine starts. Over that span, the veteran right-hander's struggled to a 12.56 ERA. Overall, Waiwright's ERA is up to an unsightly 8.61 with a 1.99 WHIP and 44:30 K:BB across 17 starts (77.1 innings) this season. He'll look to get on track in his next outing, tentatively lined up for early next week against the Padres.

Elder (10-4) picked up the win Tuesday in a 3-2 victory over the Mets, allowing one run on two hits and three walks over 5.1 innings. He struck out three.

The lone run charged to the right-hander scored after he'd left the mound, as Elder blanked the Mets for five frames before Pierce Johnson relieved him with one on in the sixth and promptly served up a homer to Daniel Vogelbach. Elder continues to offer little in the strikeout department -- he hasn't fanned more than five batters in a start since June 22 -- and since the All-Star break he's posted a 4.58 ERA, 1.21 WHIP and 23:14 K:BB through 37.1 innings. With the Atlanta offense at his back he's won three of his last five outings, but he'll be a ratio risk in his next start, which is likely to come early next week at Coors Field.

Megill (7-7) took the loss Tuesday as the Mets fell 3-2 to Atlanta, giving up three runs on eight hits and two walks over 4.2 innings. He struck out five.

The right-hander limited the damage despite being in constant trouble, as Atlanta had at least one runner in scoring position in every inning Megill worked -- something exacerbated by the four wild pitches he was charged with. Since rejoining the rotation in August, he's stumbled to a 6.86 ERA, 1.93 WHIP and 16:7 K:BB through 19.2 innings, but the Mets don't have many other options. His next turn comes around early next week for a home start against the Rangers.

Walker did not factor into the decision Tuesday, allowing three runs (two earned) on six hits and two walks over five innings against the Giants. He struck out seven.

In his return to Philadelphia's rotation, Walker ran into some bad luck in the first inning, allowing an unearned run to score after his defense committed two early errors. The 31-year-old righty then managed to hold San Francisco at bay until Joc Pederson laced a two-run double in the fifth. Walker had been living up to his last name in his previous seven starts, issuing 4.7 BB/9 to go with a 4.25 ERA and 1.37 WHIP across 42.1 innings during that stretch. He is projected to face the Angels at home early next week.

Harrison did not factor into the decision Tuesday, allowing two runs on five hits and one walk over 3.1 innings against the Phillies. He struck out five.

The 22-year-old southpaw was greeted harshly in his MLB debut, as Bryce Harper took him deep to right for a first-inning, two-run homer Tuesday. However, Harrison demonstrated his strikeout potential, with each of the first five outs he recorded against Philadelphia coming via the punchout. The strikeouts come as no surprise given he led all of minor-league baseball with 14.5 K/9 prior to his promotion, but his control issues (6.4 BB/9) were the main culprit in limiting Harrison's overall production. He completed five innings just one time in his 21 minor-league starts this year. If he sticks around in San Francisco, the rookie will undoubtedly rack up big strikeout numbers, although his inefficiency and limited pitch counts suggest that quality starts and wins may be tough to come by. Harrison tentatively lines up to face the Reds at home early next week.

Gallen (14-5) allowed a run on seven hits and a walk while striking out 11 over six innings to earn the win in Tuesday's 6-3 victory over the Rangers.

Gallen limited the damage to a Mitch Garver solo home run in the sixth inning. While he's been good virtually all year, Gallen has been especially sharp by allowing just two runs and generating a 22:3 K:BB across the 18.1 innings covering his last three starts. The right-hander is at a 3.11 ERA, 1.06 WHIP and 179:34 K:BB through 168 innings over 27 starts this season. He's projected for a road outing versus the Dodgers next week.