MLB Player News

Syndergaard (finger) tossed five-plus innings for Triple-A Oklahoma City on Friday, allowing four runs on six hits and no walks while striking out two batters.

Syndergaard's final line doesn't tell the full story of his outing. The veteran hurler made it through five innings having retired 15 of 17 batters and having given up just one run, but he allowed four straight hits to begin the sixth, and three of those batters came around to score. He worked up to 77 pitches in the outing, 58 of which were a strike. Syndergaard is trying to make it back up to the big club, and his ability to do so will likely depend upon what he's able to show during his stint in the minors. Friday's outing was a mixed bag toward that end given his excellent first five frames and sputtering finish.

Cardinals manager Oliver Marmol said Wainwright (shoulder) will be activated from the 15-day injured list to start Monday's game against the Diamondbacks in Arizona, John Denton of MLB.com reports. "He's done three up-downs in the bullpen and he's ready for 65 pitches," said Marmol, who is hoping to get at least five innings out of Wainwright on Monday.

Marmol noted that his preference was to bring back Wainwright from the 15-day injured list later in the week following another live batting practice session, but the veteran right-hander will end up coming back a little earlier than expected to cover some innings and help protect an overtaxed bullpen. Given that a projected 65-pitch workload would still make it tough for Wainwright to get through five innings, he could struggle to qualify for a win in his return to action. Wainwright tentatively lines up for a two-start week, with his second turn through the rotation coming next weekend at home versus the Cubs.

Manager Dave Roberts said Kershaw (shoulder) will no longer throw a bullpen session Monday, though the lefty hasn't suffered a setback, David Vassegh of AM 570 LA Sports reports.

Kershaw was previously expected to pitch in a simulated game Monday before the plan changed to a bullpen session, and it's now been pushed back entirely. The veteran left-hander still played catch on flat ground ahead of Sunday's game at Texas, per the Associated Press, but it's unclear when he's expected to next take the mound.

Musgrove (9-3) took the loss Sunday, allowing three runs on seven hits and a walk over six innings against the Tigers. He struck out six.

The Tigers got to Musgrove early Sunday, taking an early lead on Spencer Torkelson's solo homer in the first inning before tacking on two more runs in the third. Musgrove would eventually settle in and finish with a quality start, his eighth in a row, though he also took his first loss since May 20. The 30-year-old right-hander has been excellent since the start of June, pitching to a 2.00 ERA over his last 11 starts. Overall, Musgrove sports a 3.25 ERA with a 1.15 WHIP and 92:19 K:BB through 16 starts (91.1 innings) this season.

The Padres optioned Wolf to Double-A San Antonio on Sunday.

Wolf bypassed the Triple-A level to make his MLB debut Saturday, earning the win in the Padres' 14-3 victory over the Tigers while allowing three earned runs on six hits and one walk over five innings. Due to an off day this upcoming Thursday, the Padres look content to get by with a four-man rotation for the upcoming week, so Wolf will be the odd man out and will head back to the minors. Wolf or Ryan Weathers could be called up the next time the Padres require a fifth starter Aug. 1, assuming Michael Wacha (shoulder) isn't ready to return from the 15-day injured list by then.

Freeland (shoulder) is slated to throw a simulated game Tuesday and could be activated from the 15-day injured list to make a start next weekend versus the Athletics at Coors Field, Thomas Harding of MLB.com reports.

Assuming the sim game goes as expected, the Rockies would likely be eyeing next Sunday for Freeland's return to the rotation, which would allow him to stick to a normal four-day rest schedule. Freeland suffered a right shoulder subluxation in his final start before the All-Star break July 9 but was able to throw a 40-pitch bullpen session a week and a half later. He threw another side session Saturday and now appears ready to test himself against hitters.

Mikolas did not factor into the decision Saturday, allowing five runs on 11 hits and one walk over five innings against the Cubs. He struck out three.

Mikolas struggled with his command all afternoon, needing 102 pitches to get through five innings while surrendering a season-high 11 hits. It marked the seventh time this season that the right-hander has allowed at least five runs in a start, and he's now recorded three or fewer strikeouts in three straight. Mikolas will look to turn things around when the Cardinals take on these same Cubs next weekend in St. Louis.

Wolf (1-0) earned the win Saturday, allowing three runs on six hits and one walk over five innings in a 14-3 win over the Tigers. He struck out one.

Wolf got into the win column in his first MLB start, lasting five innings while striking out only one batter. All of the damage against him came in the second, when he allowed three runs to score as part of a five-hit inning for Detroit. With Michael Wacha (shoulder) expected to miss the rest of July, Wolf could get another go-around in the Padres rotation. However, with a series against the Rangers on the docket, Wolf shouldn't garner much streaming consideration if he takes the mound again.

Anderson did not factor into the decision Saturday, allowing three runs on seven hits and one walk over six innings against Miami. He struck out six.

Anderson struck out two of the first three batters he faced in a 1-2-3 first inning before giving up four consecutive hits to open the second, leading to one run coming across for Miami. He would allow another two runs in the bottom of the fifth but still managed to get through six innings for only the second time this season. It was a solid performance for the right-hander after hurling five shutout frames in his previous outing, and he'll look to secure his first win with the Rockies next weekend when the team takes on Oakland at home.

Cueto did not factor into the decision Saturday, allowing one run on two hits and one walk over six innings in a 4-3 loss against the Rockies. He struck out eight.

Cueto had it going early, retiring the first eight batters he faced, five by way of strikeout, as the Marlins took a 1-0 lead. The veteran righty would allow only four baserunners over his six innings of work while recording a season-high eight strikeouts. Cueto had previously recorded just one strikeout through his only two appearances coming into Saturday and is still searching for his first win following the impressive outing.