MLB Player News

Falter did not factor into the decision Thursday, allowing four runs on eight hits and two walks over four innings against Atlanta. He struck out three.

It was an ugly start for Falter as the recently acquired lefty allowed runs in each of the first three innings to put the Pirates in an early 4-0 hole. He finally managed to pitch a scoreless inning in the fourth, but he would not return in the fifth after reaching 86 pitches. Falter did manage to avoid taking his eighth loss thanks to Pittsburgh's late comeback, but he has yet to collect his first win of the season. He's now allowed at least four earned runs in three of his last five outings.

Elder (8-4) took the loss Thursday, allowing five runs on six hits and two walks over five innings against the Pirates. He struck out five.

Elder began struggling in the bottom of the third, allowing three runs on two hits and a walk while also hitting Josh Palacios with a pitch. The right-hander managed to avoid any further damage over the next two frames but was again victimized by the Pirates' offense in the sixth before being relieved by Joe Jimenez. It was the fourth time in his last six starts that Elder allowed at least five runs, and he's now lost three of his last four decisions. He's surrendered 10 runs and 13 hits over 9.1 innings to open the month of August.

Corbin did not factor into the decision Thursday, allowing one unearned run on one hit and seven walks over five innings against Philadelphia. He struck out two.

Corbin turned in quite the interesting statline Thursday, allowing one hit -- a double -- through five scoreless innings on the mound, but he issued a season-high seven walks, throwing just 44 of 87 pitches for strikes. The 34-year-old lefty started the sixth inning, but he was removed after committing an error, and Nationals reliever Andres Machado immediately served up a two-run homer to Trea Turner, accounting for Corbin's sole run, albeit unearned. In five outings since the All-Star break, Corbin has a 4.71 ERA, 1.33 WHIP and 17:11 K:BB across 28.2 innings during that stretch. He currently lines up to face Boston in his next outing.

Kershaw allowed one run on three hits and no walks while striking out four batters over five innings in a no-decision against Colorado on Thursday.

Kershaw made his return from the injured list after missing about six weeks due to left shoulder inflammation. The legendary southpaw looked good in his return, limiting the Rockies to one run on an Elehuris Montero solo shot in the fifth inning. Kershaw tossed 45 of 67 pitches for strikes and lowered his season ERA to 2.51. The Dodgers figure to allow Kershaw to ease back into things with an eye toward the postseason, though the future Hall of Famer has long had a knack for going deep into games without racking up a ton of pitches.

Liberatore (2-4) earned the win over Tampa Bay on Thursday, pitching eight scoreless innings during which he allowed two hits and struck out seven batters.

Liberatore had a 6.93 ERA coming into the contest, but he stifled the Rays' offense in the best start of his big-league career. The southpaw completed eight innings for the first time as a major-leaguer and allowed just two hits, both of which were singles. Liberatore has struggled thus far to get batters out at the highest level, so it remains to be seen if Thursday's gem will be a turning point. He's lined up for a prime matchup at home against Oakland in his next start.

The Dodgers reinstated Kershaw (shoulder) from the 15-day injured list ahead of his start Thursday against the Rockies, Juan Toribio of MLB.com reports.

Kershaw has been on the IL since July 3 due to inflammation in his left shoulder. The 35-year-old lefty put up an incredible 1.09 ERA and 0.88 WHIP through 33 innings across his last five starts before getting injured, though it's possible Kershaw shows a little bit of rust after not pitching in over a month. Victor Gonzalez was optioned to Triple-A Oklahoma City in a corresponding move.

Lorenzen's next start is expected to be next Friday in Washington, Scott Lauber of The Philadelphia Inquirer reports.

After tossing a no-hitter and notching his name into the history books Wednesday against the Nationals, Lorenzen will get some added rest between starts. He racked up 124 pitches to complete the no-hitter, so the 31-year-old will get eight days of rest. The Phillies had been operating with a six-man rotation, but it's unclear if they will stick with that the next time through, as they have two off days next week. Regardless, Lorenzen will stay in the mix next weekend while facing the same team he just tossed a no-hitter against, although this time it will be a road matchup against the Nationals.

Stripling is not among the Giants' listed starters for their three-game weekend series against the Rangers but is expected to work in bulk relief Friday, Alex Pavlovic of NBC Sports Bay Area reports.

The Giants haven't specified their plans for Stripling, but with lefty Scott Alexander slated to open Friday's contest, the 32-year-old right-hander will presumably slot in behind him to cover multiple innings out of the bullpen. After signing a two-year, $25 million contract with San Francisco over the winter, Stripling has struggled to a 5.21 ERA through 67.1 innings (11 starts, six relief appearances) this season.

Musgrove (shoulder) is expected to begin playing catch around Aug. 24, Kevin Acee of the San Diego Union-Tribune reports.

Musgrove is entering the second week of a three-week shutdown period that followed his Aug. 4 placement on the injured list due to inflammation in his right shoulder capsule. The best-case scenario is that he returns to the Padres' rotation in mid-September, but he'll have to avoid even minor setbacks. It should also be noted that San Diego is currently at risk of falling out of NL Wild Card contention, which could affect the motivation here.

Soroka could be recalled from Triple-A Gwinnett to start the second half of Saturday's doubleheader against the Mets, Justin Toscano of The Atlanta Journal-Constitution reports.

Soroka has posted an underwhelming 5.52 ERA and 1.47 WHIP across 29.1 innings (five starts, one relief appearance) this season at the major-league level, but he racked up eight strikeouts over five innings of one-run ball in his last turn through the Gwinnett rotation Aug. 4 versus Triple-A Indianapolis. Allan Winans is the other likely consideration for Saturday's spot start in Queens.