MLB Player News

Atlanta general manager Alex Anthopoulos confirmed Sunday that Fried (forearm) has completed his minor-league rehab assignment and will be reinstated from the 60-day injured list later this week, Jim Bowden of The Athletic reports.

Anthopoulos didn't specify what day Fried will be activated, but the southpaw is expected to start either Friday or Saturday versus the Cubs at Wrigley Field, per David O'Brien of The Athletic. In preparation for Fried's return, Atlanta already opened up a spot in the rotation by optioning right-hander AJ Smith-Shawver to Triple-A Gwinnett on Monday. Fried made the fourth and final start of his rehab assignment with Gwinnett this past Saturday, covering 4.1 innings and striking out four while allowing two runs on five hits and two walks. He built up to 79 pitches in that outing, so Fried shouldn't be in line for any major workload restrictions when he returns to the Atlanta rotation.

Atlanta optioned Smith-Shawver to Triple-A Gwinnett on Monday.

As anticipated, Smith-Shawver was just up with Atlanta for a spot start after he was recalled ahead of Sunday's game against the Brewers. Though Atlanta came away with an 8-6 victory, Smith-Shawver was denied the win after tossing five innings and giving up three hits and four hits and four walks. Atlanta is set to return Max Fried (forearm) from the 60-day injured list Friday or Saturday to fill the vacant spot in the rotation, but Smith-Shawver could be back with the big club as soon as next week, when a temporary sixth starter will be needed for the Aug. 12 doubleheader with the Mets.

Luzardo did not factor into the decision Sunday, allowing four runs on seven hits and three walks over 4.2 innings against the Tigers. He struck out three.

After fanning a career-high 13 batters in his last start, Luzardo was only able to punch out three hitters Sunday during 4.2 inefficient innings. All of the damage against Luzardo came in the third, where he allowed four hits and a walk as part of a four-run frame. The start ended an impressive run for the 25-year-old, who had allowed two or fewer earned runs in seven consecutive starts leading up to Sunday's dud. Luzardo is tentatively scheduled to take the mound next during a three-game road series against the Rangers this weekend.

Snell (8-8) allowed one unearned run on four hits and four walks over five innings Sunday, striking out nine and earning a win against Texas.

Snell has been outstanding for the last two months despite his inflating walk rate. He registered a 42:26 K:BB through 32 July innings but gave up just two earned runs. He's given up two or fewer runs in 13 straight starts, resulting in a terrific 0.73 ERA with a 108:41 K:BB through 74 frames over that span. Snell's next outing is projected to be at home against the Dodgers.

Williams (5-6) took the loss Sunday, allowing five runs on seven hits and four walks over four innings against the Mets. He struck out two.

Williams tied his season highs in earned runs allowed and walks allowed Sunday as he fell to his sixth loss of 2023. He also surrendered a solo homer to Francisco Lindor in the fourth inning, marking his eighth long ball given up in his last seven starts. During that stretch, Williams owns a 6.06 ERA and a 21:13 K:BB. The 31-year-old is projected to make his next start during a three-game road series in Cincinnati this weekend,

Verlander (6-5) earned the win Sunday, allowing one run on five hits and one walk over 5.1 innings against the Nationals. He struck out five.

Verlander turned in another strong start Sunday, snaring his third consecutive win -- and the 250th of his Hall of Fame-worthy career -- while tossing 5.1 innings of one-run ball. After a slow start to the season (4.50 ERA over his first nine appearances), Verlander has found his stride and is 4-1 with a 1.49 ERA across his last seven starts. Assuming the three-time Cy Young Award winner isn't dealt prior to Tuesday's trade deadline, Verlander will likely toe the rubber next against the Orioles at Camden Yards this weekend.

Cecconi is the most likely internal candidate to be called up from Triple-A Reno to fill the vacant spot in the Arizona rotation after the Diamondbacks placed Tommy Henry (elbow) on the 15-day injured list Sunday, Nick Piecoro of The Arizona Republic reports.

Given the high asking price for starting pitching on the trade market ahead of Tuesday's deadline, the Diamondbacks may opt to use internal candidates to fill in for Henry, who will miss at least 15 days. Cecconi's overall numbers at Reno aren't exciting -- 6.38 ERA, 1.38 WHIP, 2.0 HR/9 in 103 innings -- but the right-hander's ledger since the middle of June shows improvement in a notoriously tough environment for pitchers. He has a fastball that sits in the low-to-mid 90s and a pair of breaking balls in his slider and curveball. Another righty, Bryce Jarvis, is also being considered for a promotion, but he pitched out of the bullpen in his last two appearances.

Matz (2-7) tossed six shutout innings Sunday against the Cubs. He allowed just four hits and no walks while striking out two.

Matz tossed his second straight start of shutout baseball and put a stamp on an excellent month of pitching. Over five starts in July, Matz posted a 1.69 ERA, 0.86 WHIP and 27:5 K:BB in 26.2 innings. Matz has allowed just one run over his last 17 innings and a home start against the Rockies this coming week should set him up for another favorable outing.

Kelly (9-5) allowed three runs on seven hits and two walks over five innings Sunday, striking out six and taking a loss against Seattle.

All three runs scored against Kelly came in the first two innings, and he eventually settled in and retired the final eight batters he faced. The 34-year-old righty has given up three or fewer runs in 15 of his 18 starts this season, resulting in a 3.23 ERA over 106 frames. He's allowed four runs in two starts since returning from a month-long stint on the injured list. Kelly's next outing is projected to be in Minnesota.

Hendricks (4-5) allowed three runs on eight hits across seven innings to take the loss Sunday against the Cardinals. He walked one and struck out two.

Hendricks logged a quality start but got no run support in the 3-0 loss. That dropped the righty to below .500, though he's pitched pretty well with a 3.49 ERA. Hendricks has now allowed three earned runs or fewer in 11 of his 13 starts this season. The righty isn't missing a ton of bats, as he has only 48 strikeouts across 77.1 innings, though that's never been a big part of his game. Hendricks will look to keep pitching well in his next scheduled start, which is projected for Friday against a tough Atlanta squad.