MLB Player News

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.

Buehler (elbow) touched 93 mph during a one-inning simulated game Wednesday at the Dodgers' spring training complex in Arizona, Jack Harris of the Los Angeles Times reports.

It's not the velocity Buehler usually sits at, but given it was the pitcher's first time facing hitters since undergoing Tommy John surgery -- his second such procedure-- last August, he and the team were very encouraged. "It went really well," manager Dave Roberts said of the session. "Much better than I expected." Buehler has acknowledged that his original goal of returning on Sept. 1 isn't realistic, as he will require a few more simulated games before going out on a rehab assignment. However, the righty remains confident he'll be able to help the Dodgers in some capacity before the end of the regular season, whether it's in a starting or relief role.

Priester came away with a no-decision in Wednesday's 6-5 loss to Atlanta, giving up four runs on nine hits and a walk over four innings. He struck out four.

While his final line didn't look like much on the surface, Priester managed to avoid serving up any homers to the league's most dangerous offense, and he walked one batter or fewer for the first time in five MLB starts. Despite the small signs of progress, the rookie right-hander is still saddled with an 8.75 ERA and 1.90 WHIP through his first 23.2 innings for Pittsburgh with a 20:15 K:BB. He'll try to take another step forward in his next outing, likely to come on the road early next week against the Mets.

Fried came away with a no-decision Wednesday in Atlanta's 6-5 win over the Pirates, giving up four runs on six hits and a walk over four innings. He struck out four.

The southpaw cruised through the first three innings before falling apart in the fourth, but Atlanta's offense had already built a 4-0 lead and Fried was never in line for a loss. He exited after 79 pitches (50 strikes), and the team hasn't yet extended him to 80 or more pitches since his return from a forearm issue that cost him three months of action. Atlanta's massive lead in the NL East affords the team the luxury of bringing Fried along slowly, but he could get stretched out a little more in his next start, likely to come at home early next week against the Yankees.

Greene (hip) said Sunday he is expected to make two more rehab starts before he's activated from the injured list, Mark Sheldon of MLB.com reports.

Greene made his second rehab appearance Saturday, throwing 46 pitches over 2.2 innings. He's scheduled for a third rehab start Thursday, when he's expected to work four innings.

Flexen did not factor into the decision Wednesday, allowing five runs on eight hits and two walks over five innings against the Brewers. He struck out four.

Flexen looked good early, striking out two of the first three batters he faced before hurling three scoreless innings. However, he began to struggle with his command in the fourth, allowing three runs on three hits while needing 30 pitches to get out of the inning. The right-hander then surrendered back-to-back home runs with two outs in the fifth before being relieved by Daniel Bard to open the next frame. Flexen has now allowed five runs in two of his three starts since joining the Rockies and has surrendered two long balls in each contest.

Houser did not factor into the decision Wednesday, allowing four runs on five hits and one walk over five innings against Colorado. He struck out five.

Houser got off to a solid start, needing only 16 pitches to get through the first two innings. Things unraveled for him in the fourth, however, beginning with a leadoff home run from Jurickson Profar and ending with a two-run single from Harold Castro before the right-hander was finally able to escape the inning. It was only Houser's fourth time this season in which he allowed at least four runs, though two of those occurrences have come over his last three starts. On a positive note, he's now recorded at least five strikeouts in four of his last five outings.

Cueto did not factor into the decision Wednesday, allowing three runs on five hits and one walk over five innings against the Reds while striking out five.

Cueto cruised through the first three innings before surrendering three consecutive hits with two outs in the fourth, two of which left the park to put the Reds up 3-1. The right-hander did manage to get out of the inning, however, and was able to log at least five innings for the fourth straight start. Over that stretch he's recorded a solid 22:5 K:BB, though he's now allowed five home runs over his last three outings. Cueto will look to grab his first win of the season next week when the Marlins take on the Astros at home.

Ashcraft did not factor into the decision Wednesday, allowing one run on three hits and one walk over seven innings in a 5-4 loss against the Marlins. He struck out seven.

Ashcraft surrendered a leadoff home run to Josh Bell in top of the fourth but was otherwise dominant, allowing only two other hits in the game, both of which came in the first inning. The right-hander threw 17 first-pitch strikes, and it was his third start this season in which he allowed just three hits. Ashcraft has now given up two earned runs or fewer in eight consecutive starts and has allowed one run or fewer in five of those eight starts. With Thursday's performance he lowered his season ERA to 4.95 and WHIP and 1.41.