MLB Player News

Garrett (5-2) earned the win Saturday, allowing three runs on six hits over five innings against the Phillies. He struck out three.

Garrett picked up another victory Saturday, marking his 11th straight start without taking a loss, a streak that dates back to May 8. All of the damage against Garrett came early, as he surrendered a solo homer to Trea Turner in the first, then gave up two more runs in the second. Over his last six appearances (34 innings), Garrett holds a 2.38 ERA and an elite 41:3 K:BB.

Grove (1-2) allowed four runs on six hits and a walk while striking out six over six innings to earn the win over the Angels on Saturday.

Grove worked behind opener Alex Vesia, who tossed a scoreless first inning. Grove's outing began with four scoreless innings before he gave up four runs over his last two frames. The right-hander now has a 6.89 ERA, 1.55 WHIP and 43:15 K:BB through 47 innings across 11 appearances (eight starts) this season. Grove's stay in a starting or bulk-relief role likely depends on how much longer Clayton Kershaw (shoulder) will be out.

Lively (pectoral) will be activated from the 15-day injured list and start Sunday's game against the Brewers, Gordon Wittenmyer of The Cincinnati Enquirer reports.

Lively has been sidelined since June 24 by a pectoral strain, and he'll return to the mound without a rehab assignment. It's unclear how deep he may be able to work into the game as a result, though it has been only 17 days since he last took the mound.

Mikolas (5-5) picked up the win Saturday, allowing four hits over seven scoreless innings in a 3-0 victory over the White Sox. He struck out six without walking a batter.

All four hits were singles, and Chicago couldn't even get a runner past second base against the veteran right-hander. Mikolas tossed 71 of 95 pitches for strikes en route to his first win since May 30 and sixth quality start of the year. He'll take a 4.23 ERA and 78:24 K:BB through 112.2 innings into the second half.

Dodgers manager Dave Roberts said Saturday he isn't sure if Kershaw (shoulder) will return during the team's series against the Mets immediately after the All-Star break, Mike DiGiovanna of the Los Angeles Times reports.

Kershaw has been throwing off flat ground and threw a brief five-pitch bullpen session Friday. He previously expressed optimism about pitching after the All-Star break, but it now seems possible he might have to wait a little while longer. Kershaw has been on the injured list since Sunday with left shoulder inflammation.

The Brewers reinstated Alexander (shoulder) from the 60-day injured list Saturday and optioned him to Triple-A Nashville, Adam McCalvy of MLB.com reports.

A right shoulder strain forced Alexander to the injured list before the start of the season. His last three rehab starts came in Nashville, and he will remain in Triple-A after surrendering just three runs on 15 hits and four walks while striking out six batters through 15 innings. If he continues at his current pace in Nashville, Alexander could potentially work his way back onto the Brewers as a multi-inning reliever.

Manager Rob Thomson said Saturday that tests on Painter's right elbow revealed healing in his UCL, Matt Gelb of The Athletic reports.

Painter will remain shut down from throwing for now, but he and the Phillies can breathe a sigh of relief knowing that Tommy John surgery won't be necessary. The 20-year-old righty has spent all season rehabbing a sprained UCL and could still pitch later this season, though no official timeline has been established for his return.

Gallen (11-3) earned the win Friday against the Pirates after he allowed one run on four hits and no walks over seven innings. He struck out five.

The right-hander limited Pittsburgh to a single tally and didn't give up any home runs for the first time since May 30. Gallen is now tied with Shane McClanahan for the most wins in the majors, with four of those victories coming in his past five starts. The 27-year-old Gallen heads into the All-Star break with 3.04 ERA, 1.05 WHIP and 125:23 K:BB across 118.1 innings.

Stripling allowed two runs on four hits and struck out three without walking a batter over 3.2 innings in a no-decision versus the Rockies on Friday.

Stripling started and covered the most innings of the six pitchers the Giants used, but he still threw just 65 pitches (43 strikes). He hasn't completed more than five innings in any appearance this season, and he's done that just three times in 12 outings. The right-hander is now at a 6.37 ERA, 1.46 WHIP and 34:11 K:BB through 41 innings. The Giants haven't revealed how their rotation will look after the All-Star break, which leaves some question as to Stripling's role in the second half.

Dodgers manager Dave Roberts said Grove is expected to either start or cover the bulk of the innings out of the bullpen during Saturday's game against the Angels, Eric Stephen of SBNation.com reports.

The Dodgers' decision to add Triple-A Oklahoma City starter Landon Knack to the taxi squad Thursday created some uncertainty about whether Grove would pitch in the Los Angeles' final game before the All-Star break, but the right-hander looks like he'll make a second straight turn through the rotation after all. After being called up from Triple-A on Monday as a replacement for the injured Clayton Kershaw (shoulder), Grove proceeded to cover four innings in a starting role and gave up one run on five hits and two walks while taking a no-decision against the Pirates.