MLB Player News

Liberatore (1-3) allowed three runs on seven hits and a walk while striking out just one over 4.1 innings, taking the loss in Game 2 of Saturday's doubleheader versus the Yankees.

Liberatore has failed to complete five innings in four of his last five outings, and he's given up 12 runs (eight earned) across 10.2 innings in his last three starts. The southpaw was pushed back a day after Friday's rainout, but the extra rest didn't do him much good. With a 5.68 ERA, 1.67 WHIP and 22:15 K:BB over 31.2 innings through eight appearances this year, it's fair to question how much more leeway Liberatore has when it comes to staying in the Cardinals' rotation. He could ultimately swap spots with Steven Matz, who is currently in the bullpen, or the Cardinals may opt to bring up a starter from Triple-A Memphis, though no one on the farm is doing much to differentiate themselves. St. Louis will need a spot starter Wednesday due to this doubleheader, and it's possible Liberatore may not start again until after the All-Star break.

Gore exited Saturday's start against the Phillies with a blister on his left middle finger, Bobby Blanco of MASNSports.com reports.

Gore was crushed for seven runs prior to exiting the game with trainers in the third inning. He will undergo further evaluation, so it remains unclear if he'll make his next scheduled start prior to the All-Star break.

Stripling will start Sunday's game against the Mets, Andrew Baggarly of The Athletic reports.

Stripling was activated from the injured list June 25 and has since pitched once in relief. He worked three innings during that appearance, so he shouldn't have a significant workload restriction.

Kershaw (shoulder) threw off flat ground Saturday, and the Dodgers will decide Sunday if he's ready to start Monday against the Pirates, Mike DiGiovanna of the Los Angeles Times reports.

Kershaw is dealing with left shoulder inflammation, and while the issue hasn't yet been bad enough to send him to the injured list, that remains a distinct possibility. The All-Star break arrives in just over a week, so even missing one start would mean that Kershaw might as well hit the injured list. If that is indeed the case, Michael Grove would likely start Monday and could be in line for a two-start week, with another potential outing coming next weekend against the Angels.

Woodruff (shoulder) will delay his next bullpen session as he hasn't been recovering as well as the Brewers would like, Adam McCalvy of MLB.com reports.

Woodruff made just two starts into the season before suffering a shoulder strain, which wound up being serious enough for him to require a trip to the 60-day injured list. He's been throwing since late May and has been throwing bullpens since mid-June, but the Brewers are seemingly unhappy with his progress. The team is characterizing his latest delay as merely an example of caution, but it's hard not to worry about even a minor setback when it comes to a pitcher's shoulder. The Brewers hope he'll get back on a mound early next week.

Gore left his start Saturday against the Phillies with a team trainer, Bobby Blanco of MASNSports.com reports.

Gore was lit up by the Phillies, giving up seven runs on six hits and three walks in 2.2 innings while striking out three batters. It's possible he's fine and just had a poor outing, as he repeatedly told the trainer, "I'm alright," as he left the field, per Blanco. If Gore has even a very minor injury, however, he's likely to hit the injured list, as the All-Star break begins in just over a week.

Urias (hamstring) was activated off the injured list Saturday ahead of his scheduled start against the Royals.

Urias has been out since mid-May with a strained hamstring, but he's good to go after just one rehab start. He wasn't at his best prior to the injury, recording a 4.39 ERA in 10 starts, but his 23.3 percent strikeout rate didn't trail his career 24.3 percent mark by much while his 4.8 percent walk rate is a career best. His 2.28 HR/9 was the main problem, but if he can keep the ball in the yard going forward, he could get back to his old self.

Wacha (shoulder) is slated to start Saturday's game against the Reds at Great American Ball Park.

Wacha will return to the mound for his first outing since June 19, but he was able to avoid landing on the injured list after his sore right shoulder responded well to a bullpen session Thursday. Before picking up the shoulder issue, Wacha had been in the midst of one of the best runs of his career. Over his last nine starts, Wacha has covered at least six innings on eight occasions while pitching to a 1.14 ERA and 0.81 WHIP during that stretch.

Quintana (ribs) gave up two runs on four hits and three walks over 2.2 innings while striking out two in a rehab start for Triple-A Syracuse on Friday.

The left-hander got stretched out to 64 pitches, but only 33 of them were strikes and he got taken deep by career minor-league Jamie Westbrook. The shaky outing probably ends any chance Quintana had of joining the Mets' rotation before the All-Star break, but if David Peterson struggles badly in his start Sunday against the Giants, the Mets could have a tough decision to make the following weekend. More likely, Quintana gets activated from the injured list and makes his season debut after the break.

Sanchez (0-2) took the loss Friday, allowing two runs on seven hits and one walk over six innings against the Nationals. He struck out six.

Sanchez finished with season highs in innings completed and strikeouts, but he still took a second consecutive loss after not getting enough run support. The 26-year-old hasn't been flashy, but he's getting results, posting a 3.26 ERA, 1.14 WHIP and 20:4 K:BB across 19.1 innings. Sanchez figures to remain in the rotation going forward if he can continue to put up solid numbers.