MLB Player News

Stripling allowed a run on four hits and struck out three without walking a batter over 4.1 innings Sunday versus the Red Sox. He did not factor in the decision.

Stripling turned in a solid bulk-relief outing after starting his last five outings. He threw 63 pitches (41 strikes) after taking over for opener Scott Alexander with two outs in the second inning. Stripling is now at a 5.52 ERA, 1.34 WHIP and 48:11 K:BB through 62 innings over 16 appearances (10 starts) this season. The right-hander has filled a swingman role for much of the year, so it's unclear if he'll start or work behind an opener again in his next outing, tentatively scheduled to be on the road in Oakland next weekend.

Grove (2-3) allowed eight runs on 10 hits and a walk while striking out 10 over six innings to take the loss Sunday versus the Reds.

It wasn't pretty, as the Reds were ahead 3-0 after the first inning and 7-0 after the third before taking their foot off the gas. Grove hadn't pitched poorly in July, but this outing could be enough for him to lose his rotation spot to Lance Lynn, who is set to make his Dodgers debut Tuesday. Grove is at a 6.75 ERA, 1.58 WHIP and 63:28 K:BB through 62.2 innings over 14 appearances (11 starts). It's unclear if Grove will be moved to the bullpen or optioned to Triple-A Oklahoma City should he ultimately be taken out of the starting mix.

Woodruff (shoulder) confirmed that he'll make his next rehab start Tuesday at Triple-A Nashville, Curt Hogg of the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel reports.

After two rehab starts at High-A Wisconsin, Woodruff will transfer his assignment to the Brewers' top affiliate for what could be his final outing on the farm before he makes his return from the 60-day injured list. In his most recent start for Wisconsin on Thursday, he tossed four innings and 52 pitches. If he can cover five innings and push his pitch count into the 60-to-70 range Tuesday, the Brewers may be comfortable installing the right-hander back in the big-league rotation as soon as Aug. 7. Woodruff has been on the shelf since mid-April with a Grade 2 subscapular strain.

Ashcraft (6-7) allowed five hits and struck out two without walking a batter over six scoreless innings to earn the win Sunday over the Dodgers.

Ashcraft continued a solid stretch that has seen him allow no more than two runs in any of his last six starts. This was his fifth quality start in that span, and it's also the second time he's tossed a scoreless appearance. The 25-year-old right-hander is at a 5.31 ERA, 1.50 WHIP and 76:43 K:BB through 105 innings across 20 starts, but his recent pitching makes him worth a look in most fantasy formats. Ashcraft is projected to make his next start at home versus the Nationals.

Kershaw (shoulder) will face hitters in another simulated game Thursday, Mike DiGiovanna of the Los Angeles Times reports.

Kershaw tossed three simulated innings Saturday and will require at least one more throwing session before he's cleared to rejoin the Dodgers' rotation. The left-hander has been brought along slowly in his recovery process, but it wouldn't be surprising to see him back in action shortly after Thursday's simulated game.

Lynn will make his first start with the Dodgers on Tuesday versus the Athletics in Los Angeles, Bill Plunkett of The Orange County Register reports.

Though he'll be taking a 6.47 ERA and 1.46 WHIP into his Dodgers debut, Lynn could be worth activating in the majority of leagues with weekly lineups. After drawing the home matchup with one of baseball's worst teams, Lynn will tentatively line up for a second start next Sunday in San Diego. Even with the unsightly ERA and WHIP during his time with the White Sox, Lynn wasn't a total zero for fantasy mangers this season, as he's currently holding down a career-best 10.8 K/9 that's backed by a career-high 13.9 percent swinging-strike rate.

The Cardinals acquired Robberse and right-hander Adam Kloffenstein from the Blue Jays on Sunday in exchange for right-hander Jordan Hicks, Robert Murray of FanSided.com reports.

The 21-year-old right-hander will add to St. Louis' organizational starting pitching depth and is likely to settle at Double-A Springfield after he had spent the entire 2023 campaign with the Blue Jays' Double-A affiliate in New Hampshire. Robberse gets by mostly on command rather than premium velocity and has struck out more than a batter per inning in only one of his six stops in the minors. Over 88.2 frames with New Hampshire this season, Robberse posted a 4.06 ERA and 14.2 K-BB%.

The Blue Jays traded Kloffenstein and Sem Robberse to the Cardinals on Sunday in exchange for Jordan Hicks, Robert Murray of FanSided.com reports.

Kloffenstein put himself back on the prospect radar in 2023 with a 3.24 ERA, 1.27 WHIP and 105:34 K:BB across 89 innings (17 starts) at the Double-A level, and the Cardinals apparently liked what they have seen. The 22-year-old could move up to Triple-A before the end of the season and may not be far off from the big leagues.

The Cardinals acquired Roby (shoulder), infielder Thomas Saggese and left-hander John King from the Rangers on Sunday in exchange for left-hander Jordan Montgomery and right-hander Chris Stratton, Jeff Passan of ESPN.com reports.

Both Saggese and Roby were well-regarded prospects within the Rangers' farm system, though the latter inherently carries more long-term risk in fantasy as a pitcher who has already missed considerable time due to elbow and shoulder injuries during his minor-league career. The 21-year-old right-hander had been occupying a spot on Double-A Frisco's 7-day injured list since early June due to the shoulder issue, but the Cardinals must have been encouraged enough by his medical reports to take him on in the five-player deal. Prior to being shelved, Roby posted a 4.68 ERA, 1.24 WHIP and 45:10 K:BB in 42.1 innings with Frisco.

Urias will have his next start pushed to Thursday against the Athletics to give a split nail on his pitching hand a couple of extra days to heal, Mike DiGiovanna of the Los Angeles Times reports.

Urias allowed three runs over six innings last Tuesday against Toronto, but he apparently dealt with a fingernail issue during the outing. The left-hander will have his next start moved back a couple days, with newcomer Lance Lynn starting Tuesday and Tony Gonsolin taking the mound Wednesday.