MLB Player News

Wood (5-4) picked up the win Wednesday over the Athletics, allowing one hit over three scoreless innings. He did not strike out or walk a batter.

Wood was the fourth pitcher in the game, working as a bulk reliever for the fifth time this season. The southpaw got the job done, quieting the Athletics' bats after Jakob Junis gave up three runs in the fourth inning. Wood has alternated wildly between strong and poor outings over the last couple of months, so it's tough to trust him on a week-by-week basis. He's at a 4.75 ERA, 1.48 WHIP and 51:30 K:BB through 60.2 innings this season. Assuming he stays on a regular turn, he's lined up for a difficult home outing versus the Diamondbacks next week.

Stroman allowed seven runs on nine hits and two walks while striking out four over 3.1 innings in a no-decision versus the White Sox on Wednesday.

Stroman didn't pitch well, but Lance Lynn was just about equally poor for the Pale Hose. After an excellent first three months of the campaign, Stroman has struggled over his last six starts, allowing 28 runs (24 earned) over 27 innings with just one quality start in that span. The poor stretch has inflated his ERA from 2.28 to 3.51 and his WHIP from 1.02 to 1.20. He's added a 10-7 record and a 109:48 K:BB over 125.2 innings through 22 starts overall. He's tentatively lined up for a challenging two-start week next week, with potential matchups versus Cincinnati and Atlanta on the slate, assuming the Cubs hold onto Stroman through the trade deadline.

Irvin did not factor into the decision Wednesday, allowing four runs on six hits and two walks over six innings against Colorado. He struck out seven.

Irvin was victimized by the long ball in the second, third and sixth innings, marking the first time this season in which he's allowed three home runs in a game. However, he still managed to get through six innings for the second straight start while logging his second-highest strikeout total of the season with seven. The right-hander has now surrendered five home runs over his last two starts and will look to keep the ball in the park in his next appearance, which is likely to come next week against the Brewers.

Smyly is not certain to start Friday against the Cardinals, Tony Andracki of Marquee Sports Network reports.

The 34-year-old lefty was used in bulk relief, with Michael Fulmer operating as the Cubs' opener, on what would have been Smyly's last turn through the rotation July 22 versus St. Louis. It sounds like manager David Ross is considering doing something similar for Friday's game at Busch Stadium. Smyly has posted a brutal 9.86 ERA over his last 21 innings (four starts, one relief appearance) dating back to June 28.

Lively (4-6) took the loss Wednesday, allowing two runs on eight hits over 6.2 innings against the Brewers. He struck out three without issuing a walk.

Lively held Milwaukee off the board for six innings until Tyrone Taylor snapped a scoreless tie in the seventh with a two-run homer, sticking the right-hander with the loss. The 31-year-old Lively has been solid of late, pitching to a 3.23 ERA over his last six outings (30.2 innings), although he's earned just one win in that span. His ERA is down to 3.76 with a 1.21 WHIP and 62:17 K:BB across 11 starts (67 innings) this season. Lively's next start is tentatively lined up for next week against the Cubs.

Peralta did not factor into the decision Wednesday, allowing four hits over six scoreless innings against the Reds. He struck out 13.

Peralta was dominant against the Reds, matching a career high with 13 strikeouts, but he was ultimately stuck with a no-decision as the Brewers were held off the scoreboard until the seventh inning. Still, it was certainly an encouraging performance from Peralta after he allowed six runs in his last start against Atlanta. The 27-year-old right-hander lowered his ERA to 4.46 with a 1.25 WHIP and 131:43 K:BB across 20 starts (109 innings) this season. Peralta will look to build on Wednesday's outing in his next start, currently lined up for next week in Washington.

Freeland (shoulder) will be activated from the 15-day injured list to start Friday against the Athletics at Coors Field, Thomas Harding of MLB.com reports.

Freeland passed the final test in his recovery with a successful simulated game Tuesday, which included fielding practice. He dislocated his right (non-throwing) shoulder while attempting to field a bunt July 9 against the Giants. Riley Pint has already been optioned out to Triple-A Albuquerque to free up a 26-man roster spot for Freeland's activation from the injured list Friday.

Wacha (shoulder) threw 25 pitches in a bullpen session Tuesday, per MLB.com.

The bullpen was Wacha's first since he landed on the injured list July 4. The veteran hurler threw only fastballs and changeups in the session, and he's expected to mix in the rest of his pitches in another bullpen Friday. If that goes well, Wacha could return to the Padres' rotation in early August.

Fried (forearm) has been scratched from a scheduled rehab start with Triple-A Gwinnett on Wednesday due to an illness, David O'Brien of The Athletic reports.

The rehab start was supposed to be his last before he returned from the 60-day injured list early next week, but his bout with the illness could throw a wrench into those plans. Provided that Fried doesn't need to be pushed back more than a day or two, he should still be able to rejoin Atlanta's rotation at some point next week. The team plans to announce Thursday or Friday when Fried will make his next rehab start. The lefty has allowed three runs with a 9:2 K:BB over 7.2 frames in his first three rehab outings.

Wood is expected to work as a bulk reliever behind opener Ryan Walker in Wednesday's game against the Athletics, Susan Slusser of the San Francisco Chronicle reports.

Wood will be making his fifth relief appearance of the season, as he's worked in a traditional starting role on the other 11 occasions that he's taken the hill. Walker has maxed out at three innings over 38 appearances between the majors and minors this season, so he's unlikely to work more than once through the order before turning the game over to Wood. The bulk-relief role should set Wood up better for scooping up the win than if he had been deployed as a starter.