MLB Player News

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.

Cueto (biceps/ankle) is scheduled to make his next rehab start Saturday with Triple-A Jacksonville, FishOnFirst.com reports.

Cueto has already made six starts over the course of two separate minor-league rehab assignments and built up to six innings and 94 pitches in his most recent outing Monday, but the Marlins aren't yet eager to open up a spot in the rotation for a pitcher who has compiled a 10.50 ERA, 1.96 WHIP and 10:6 K:BB over 24 frames between Jacksonville and Double-A Pensacola. The 37-year-old may need a strong showing Saturday to make a compelling case for the playoff-contending Marlins to activate him from the 60-day injured list following the All-Star break.

Matz tossed 2.1 innings out of the bullpen in Wednesday's 10-9 loss to the Marlins, surrendering two earned runs on three hits and one walk while striking out two batters.

Heading into the week, Matz looked to be a candidate to start Wednesday, but the Cardinals instead had rookie Matthew Liberatore take the hill on three days' rest. Liberatore recorded just one out on 21 pitches and was shelled for four earned runs before the Cardinals called upon Dakota Hudson (2.2 innings) and Matz to work multiple frames out of the bullpen. With Adam Wainwright (shoulder) moving to the injured list earlier Wednesday, the Cardinals have an opening in the rotation again Sunday, but Matz could be passed over for the assignment in favor of Liberatore once again. Both Matz (32 pitches) and Hudson (52 pitches) handled heavier workloads than Liberatore on Wednesday and could be less fresh for Sunday.

Contreras (3-7) allowed four earned runs on three hits and two walks while striking out two across one inning to take the loss Wednesday against the Dodgers.

Contreras has been working in bulk relief after being removed from the rotation in mid-June. He's particularly struggled in his last two outings, allowing seven earned runs across 3.1 frames. On Wednesday, he entered the game with a two-run lead but promptly walked two of the first three batters he faced before serving up back-to-back homers. The Pirates have an open spot in the rotation after Luis Ortiz was demoted to Triple-A, but Contreras isn't likely to be in consideration for it due to his recent form.

Liberatore didn't factor into the decision in Wednesday's 10-9 loss to the Marlins after allowing four runs on five hits and one walk while recording just one out.

Liberatore was shelled by the Marlins right from the opening pitch, surrendering four consecutive hits and a walk to kick off the bottom of the first inning before finally getting Jean Segura to fly out to left for the first out. The lefty then gave up another single to Dane Myers to make it a four-run inning for the Marlins before he was pulled in favor of Dakota Hudson. The 21-pitch outing was a disastrous one for Liberatore, who had been starting on three days' rest after previously covering 4.1 innings in a doubleheader last Saturday versus the Yankees. Considering that the Cardinals have an opening in the rotation this Sunday versus the White Sox following Adam Wainwright's (shoulder) recent move to the injured list, Liberatore could be a candidate to start again on three days' rest in St. Louis' final game before the All-Star break.

Walker (10-3) earned the win Wednesday, allowing four runs on five hits and five walks over seven innings against the Rays. He struck out eight.

Walker got tagged early for two runs in the first inning and then went on to surrender another run in each of the next two innings before finally settling in. The right-hander did not allow another run over his final four innings of work and finished with eight strikeouts for the third time in his last six starts. Walker managed to secure his 10th win of the season, tying him for first in the National League in that category, and he's now won each of his last six starts.

Lugo allowed two runs (one earned) on five hits and one walk over six innings in a no-decision against the Angels on Wednesday. He struck out six.

Lugo was sharp in the outing, throwing 62 of 99 pitches for a strike and racking up 18 whiffs. He departed in line for the win, but Nick Martinez gave up a solo homer in the seventh that removed Lugo as the pitcher of record. Nonetheless, Lugo continued his string of strong performance since returning from a five-week stay on the injured list June 20. Over four starts since his activation, the right-hander has posted a 2.05 ERA and a sterling 21:2 K:BB across 22 innings, though a lack of run support has kept him from notching any wins during that stretch.

Houser allowed one run on six hits and three walks while striking out four batters over five innings in a no-decision against the Cubs on Wednesday.

To get through five frames, Houser needed 104 pitches and threw only 60 of them for strikes, but the veteran still allowed just one run to score. The right-hander didn't retire the side in order in any inning, though a key part of his success was preventing the Cubs from notching any extra-base hits. Since his return to the rotation June 29, Houser has allowed just three runs over 11 frames, but he's yielded 13 hits and four walks during that span. He's pitched well enough to justify Milwaukee's decision to include him in a six-man rotation, though that could change when Brandon Woodruff (shoulder) is ready return from the injured list.

Bido allowed two runs on two hits and four walks while striking out four over four innings in a no-decision in Wednesday's 6-4 loss to the Dodgers.

Bido left the game with the Pirates ahead, but he wouldn't have qualified for the win after a second straight short start. The four walks were a season high for the right-hander, who needed 81 pitches (46 strikes) to complete four frames. He's now at a 4.70 ERA, 1.48 WHIP and 22:10 K:BB over 23 innings through five starts. Bido's grip on a rotation spot is tenuous, so it's no guarantee he'll be starting for the Pirates following the All-Star break.

Steele allowed three runs on nine hits and no walks while striking out five batters over six innings in a no-decision against Milwaukee on Wednesday.

Steele was excellent through five innings, giving up just one run on five hits. However, he served up a leadoff homer to Willy Adames in the sixth, then allowed one more run on three additional hits over the remainder of the frame. Steele was able to finish the sixth to notch the quality start, and a late Chicago comeback ensured that he didn't take the loss. This was just the fourth time in 16 starts this season that the southpaw allowed three or more earned runs, which is a testament to how solid he's been overall. Steele ranks sixth among qualified MLB pitchers with a 2.56 ERA and is tied for ninth with 11 quality starts.