MLB Player News

Sanchez did not factor into the decision Thursday, allowing one run on four hits over six innings against the Rays. He struck out two.

Sanchez's lone blemish came in the fifth inning, when he served up a leadoff home run to Isaac Paredes that tied the game. Outside of the long ball, Sanchez didn't have many issues with the second-best team in baseball, holding the Rays to just four total hits across six innings to log his second consecutive quality start. Since being called up for his second MLB stint of 2023 in mid-June, Sanchez owns a 2.14 ERA and a 17:2 K:BB across four starts (21 innings). He heads into the All-Star break with a fairly secure spot at the back end of Philadelphia's rotation given his recent form.

Flaherty (6-5) earned the win Thursday, allowing nine hits and two walks over 6.2 scoreless innings against the Marlins. He struck out five.

Flaherty did an incredible job limiting damage Thursday, keeping the Marlins off the scoreboard despite giving up nine hits. The outing marked Flaherty's second consecutive scoreless appearance, showcasing that he's fully recovered from a hip injury that forced him to miss a turn in the rotation in late June. Though the 27-year-old owns a 4.27 ERA on the season (17 starts), the statistic has been inflated by three poor outings in which he's given up 10 runs once and six runs twice. Not including that trio of starts, Flaherty has a strong 2.71 ERA. He's likely to next take the mound during the first series after the All-Star break versus the Nationals.

Perez (5-3) took the loss Thursday, allowing one run on three hits and two walks over six innings against the Cardinals. He struck out seven.

After retiring only one batter in his last start while giving up six runs, Perez rebounded with six innings of one-run ball. Thursday's outing should allow fantasy managers to breathe a sigh of relief and rest assured that Perez's nightmare start was nothing more than a fluke. Outside of his horrific performance against Atlanta, he's given up less than two runs in every appearance since May 28 (seven starts) and has struck out six or more batters five times across that stretch. Perez will have over a week to rest before his next start, which is projected to come during a rematch with the Cardinals in St. Louis.

Stroman said he will not pitch in Tuesday's All-Star Game, electing instead to rest up for the second half, Jordan Bastian of MLB.com reports.

Stroman made the announcement after his final start before the break Thursday, in which he allowed four runs over five innings and settled for a no-decision against the Brewers. "I'm definitely looking forward to having a little bit of a break," he said. "Kind of just reset my energy, clear my mind and have a good second half." Stroman has been reliable at the head of Chicago's rotation so far with a 2.96 ERA across 112.2 innings. However, the righty only logged 138.2 innings last year as he dealt with a shoulder issue, so the extended absence makes sense as he aims to blow past that mark in 2023.

Contreras was optioned to Triple-A Indianapolis on Thursday.

In what had the potential to be a breakout season, Contreras has struggled mightily. He lost his rotation spot in mid-June and has since been hit hard out of the bullpen. All told, he has a 6.59 ERA and 1.57 WHIP. Even so, if he can rediscover his stuff in Indianapolis, there's a strong chance that Contreras returns to the majors before the end of the campaign.

Syndergaard (finger) had his simulated game pushed back to Friday, Bill Plunkett of The Orange County Register reports.

Syndergaard was originally scheduled to throw Thursday, but he hasn't suffered a setback according to reports., Instead, he could be needed out of the bullpen given the rash of injuries and other absences currently thinning the Dodgers' relief corps. Syndergaard's long-term role remains in flux, but he could return to the mound earlier than expected if he doesn't need to stretch out in the short term.

Fried (forearm) will begin a rehab assignment with Triple-A Gwinnett on Sunday, Justin Toscano of The Atlanta Journal-Constitution reports.

Fried came out of a live batting practice session Tuesday with clean health and is taking the next step toward a return. He's been sidelined since early May by a forearm strain and will likely require multiple starts in the minors to ramp up his workload, lining him up for a potential return in late July.

Matz will start for the Cardinals on Sunday against the White Sox, Derrick Goold of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch reports.

That would have been Matthew Liberatore's turn, but he was optioned back to Triple-A Memphis on Thursday. Matz has pitched a little better since being moved to the bullpen in late May and could get an extended rotation opportunity with Adam Wainwright (shoulder) also out of the picture, but there's not much fantasy appeal here in general.

St. Louis optioned Liberatore to Triple-A Memphis on Thursday.

Liberatore recorded only one out in his last start Wednesday against the Marlins, ultimately being charged with four earned runs on five hits and one walk. The young left-hander heads back to the farm with an overall 6.75 ERA and 1.84 WHIP in 32 major-league frames for the year.

Lively (pectoral) appears lined up to return from the 15-day injured list to start Sunday against the Brewers, Charlie Goldsmith of The Cincinnati Enquirer reports.

Brett Kennedy was optioned to Triple-A Louisville on Thursday after starting Tuesday versus the Nationals, so the Reds have an open rotation spot. Lively will apparently be allowed to skip a minor-league rehab assignment as he makes a swift return from the right pectoral strain that sent him to the injured list June 24.