MLB Player News

Lively (pectoral) could return from the injured list and make a start before the All-Star break, Charlie Goldsmith of The Cincinnati Enquirer reports.

Lively landed on the injured list Saturday (retroactive to June 21) with a right pectoral strain, though he doesn't appear to be facing an extended absence. Lively holds a 4.11 ERA and 1.26 WHIP through 46 innings this season and is eligible to return July 6 -- four days before the All-Star break.

The Nationals placed Corbin on the bereavement list Friday, Jesse Dougherty of The Washington Post reports.

Corbin just pitched Wednesday against the Mariners and will presumably be back by his next scheduled turn in the rotation. The 33-year-old lefty has a 5-9 record with a 4.84 ERA, 1.54 WHIP and 66:29 K:BB in 96.2 innings (17 starts) this season.

Soroka will be called up from Triple-A Gwinnett and start Friday versus the Marlins, Justin Toscano of The Atlanta Journal-Constitution reports.

Soroka will make his return to the big leagues after he was sent down June 5. The 25-year-old right-hander produced a 1.42 ERA and 0.79 WHIP with 18 strikeouts over 19 innings in three starts with Gwinnett since being optioned, but he had far less success in his two major-league starts this year, allowing nine runs on six walks and 12 hits -- including three homers -- while striking out five over 9.2 innings. Soroka will need sharper command to stick in the Atlanta rotation, even against a Miami team that ranks in the bottom third of the league in both walks and homers on the season.

Stroman (finger) will start Saturday versus the Guardians, Bruce Levine of 670TheScore.com reports.

Stroman will be able to make his next start on regular rest after he exited his last outing Sunday versus the Cardinals with a blister on his right index finger. The 32-year-old saw his streak of seven straight quality starts get snapped against St. Louis, as he gave up six runs (three earned) on eight hits and a walk while striking out two over 3.1 frames, so he'll look to get back on track against Cleveland. On the season, Stroman has been incredibly effective, posting a 2.47 ERA and 1.08 WHIP with 85 punchouts over 102 innings in 17 starts, including a complete game shutout.

Pfaadt (0-3) took the loss Thursday, allowing six runs on seven hits and two walks over two-plus innings against the Rays. He struck out three.

Recalled to make his first start since May 26, Pfaadt struggled against a powerful Tampa Bay offense, surrendering five of his runs in the third inning without recording an out. The rookie right-hander now has an unsightly 9.82 ERA and 1.87 WHIP with a 21:10 K:BB through six big-league starts (25.2 innings). Pfaadt had shown promise at the Triple-A level, but he doesn't appear ready to face major-league lineups yet.

Kelly (calf) played catch out to 90 feet Wednesday, Nick Piecoro of the Arizona Republic reports.

Kelly, who was diagnosed with a blood clot in his right calf, said Thursday the swelling had subsided "a little bit" and that he feels he's trending in the right direction. The right-hander is expected to undergo a follow-up ultrasound early next week. It's unclear when Kelly will be able to return to the mound.

Houser (3-2) earned the win over the Mets on Thursday, allowing two runs on seven hits and one walk while striking out five batters over six innings.

Houser's previous two outings came out of the bullpen, but he was inserted back into the starting rotation to face New York. The right-hander gave up back-to-back solo homers to Brett Baty and Brandon Nimmo in the third inning, but those were the only runs he allowed in the contest. Houser was far from dominant -- he recorded only one 1-2-3 inning and notched just seven swinging strikes -- but the end result was a victory in a matchup versus future Hall of Famer Max Scherzer. It's uncertain what Milwaukee's long-term plan is for Houser, as his move back into a starting role was precipitated by a 17-day, 17-game stretch for the club leading into the All-Star break.

Anderson (0-3) allowed six runs on six hits and two walks while striking out six over 3.2 innings to take the loss Thursday versus the Dodgers.

There's just one positive to take from this outing -- Anderson didn't give up a home run. This was the first time he's kept the ball in the yard since May 22. The results are getting downright ugly for the veteran right-hander, as he's covered just 9.1 innings while allowing 22 runs over his last three starts. He's now at a 6.50 ERA, 1.51 WHIP and 34:16 K:BB through 45.2 innings between the Rockies and the Rays this season. He's tentatively lined up for a challenging road start in Houston next week.

Sheehan (2-0) allowed three runs on seven hits and struck out five without walking a batter over five innings to earn the win Thursday over the Rockies.

Inclement weather delayed the start of the game, but it didn't quiet the Dodgers' bats. Sheehan left the game with an 11-3 lead, and he threw 60 of 88 pitches for strikes in another solid outing in the most challenging of venues for his first career road start. This was also the first time in his three career starts that he didn't walk a batter. He's pitched to a 2.65 ERA, 0.82 WHIP and 12:4 K:BB over 17 innings so far. Sheehan's making a great impression and a strong case to remain in the rotation even as Julio Urias (hamstring) is set to return Saturday. Sheehan's projected to face the Pirates next week.

Luzardo did not factor in the decision against Boston on Thursday, pitching 6.1 scoreless innings during which he allowed three hits and one walk while striking out nine batters.

Luzardo was dominant against a talented Red Sox offense, giving up just three singles and a walk. He racked up an impressive 19 swinging strikes en route to nine punchouts, and he finished with his third straight quality start. However, Miami was unable to put any runs on the board until the eighth inning, preventing Luzardo from notching a win. The southpaw has had to settle for a no-decision in each of his past two starts despite recording a combined 13.1 scoreless innings during which he's posted an outstanding 18:2 K:BB. He'll look to keep rolling in his next outing, which is tentatively scheduled to come at home against St. Louis next week.