MLB Player News

Flaherty's exit from Thursday's game against the Angels was not due to the comebacker that struck his left hand, Jeff Jones of the Belleville News-Democrat reports.

Flaherty was lit up Thursday, yielding 10 earned runs over just 2.1 innings, so it's easy to believe poor performance was the reason for his early exit rather than the comebacker. The right-hander will likely be able to make his next scheduled start, though the team may still keep an eye on his hand over the next few days as a precaution.

Taillon didn't factor in the decision during Thursday's loss to the Nationals after he allowed three runs on three hits and no walks over three innings. He struck out four.

The 31-year-old was sidelined the past couple weeks by a groin strain, but he rejoined Chicago's rotation Thursday and threw just 42 pitches. The only damage against him came via a three-run homer by Lane Thomas during the second inning. Taillon returned from the injured list without a minor-league rehab assignment, so he should remain on a limited workload for his next couple starts as he builds back up his arm.

Corbin didn't factor in the decision in Thursday's win against the Cubs after he gave up two runs on three hits over seven innings. He struck out six and did not walk a batter.

The left-hander cruised through the first seven innings with just one hit allowed, but he was pulled in the eighth after giving up a pair of singles, both of which came around to score. Chicago tied the game 3-3 later in the frame, robbing Corbin of his second win of the year. Still, it was the 33-year-old's best start of the season, and he generated 12 swinging strikes on 80 pitches. His 5.17 ERA for the year remains unsightly, though he's pitched well in his past four outings with a 2.96 ERA and 18:3 K:BB across 24.1 frames.

Velasquez is being evaluated for right elbow discomfort after making an early exit from his start Thursday against the Rays.

Velasquez appeared to be grabbing at his elbow in the bottom of the third inning and also showed a dip in fastball velocity over the course of that frame. He was replaced before the bottom of the fourth and could now be looking at an absence from the Pirates' rotation. The 30-year-old right-hander entered Thursday's outing on an 18-inning scoreless streak and a 3.06 ERA for the season.

Flaherty was lifted from his start Thursday against the Angels after taking a comebacker off his left hand, Jeff Jones of the Belleville News-Democrat reports.

The good news is that the injury is to Flaherty's non-throwing hand, and he didn't appear to be in too much pain. The bad news is that he was charged with 10 earned runs on nine hits and two walks over just 2.1 frames as his season ERA ballooned from 3.94 ERA all the way to 6.29. Flaherty's next turn through the rotation lines up to come next week against the Cubs, and he should be considered day-to-day until the Cardinals update his status.

Velasquez was removed from his start Thursday against the Rays due to an apparent injury, Alex Stumpf of DKPittsburghSports.com reports.

Velasquez began losing velocity on his fastball toward the end of the third inning and was replaced by Jose Hernandez before the bottom of the fourth. Replays showed him massaging his right elbow at one point, per Justice delos Santos of MLB.com. Velasquez allowed one earned run on two hits and one walk across his three frames.

Nationals manager Dave Martinez said Thursday that Irvin will stay on the major-league roster for now, Bobby Blanco of MASNSports.com reports.

Martinez wouldn't fully commit to Irvin getting another start after he made his MLB debut Wednesday, but the 26-year-old right-hander probably earned it after delivering 4.1 innings of one-run ball versus the Cubs. If the Nats stay on turn and Irvin does indeed remain a normal part of the rotation, his second major-league outing would likely be on the road early next week in San Francisco.

Cardinals manager Oliver Marmol was noncommittal Thursday when asked whether Matz will remain in the starting rotation, Jeff Jones of the Belleville News-Democrat reports.

The 31-year-old southpaw is currently lined up to start Sunday's series finale against the Tigers, but the Cardinals seem to be considering other options -- maybe even a promotion of Matthew Liberatore from Triple-A Memphis. Matz has gone 0-4 with a 6.39 ERA and 1.71 WHIP through 31 innings (six starts) in the second season of a four-year, $44 million deal.

Butto was returned to Triple-A Syracuse on Thursday.

Butto served as the 27th man for the Mets during Wednesday's doubleheader against the Tigers and allowed one earned run over 2.1 innings of relief. He'll jump back into a starting role at Triple-A.

Cubs manager David Ross said Thursday that Hendricks (shoulder) came out of his second rehab start feeling good, Meghan Montemurro of the Chicago Tribune reports.

Hendricks allowed four earned runs on two hits and three walks over 2.2 innings Wednesday with Triple-A Iowa after getting lit up for six earned runs across just 1.2 frames in his rehab debut last week. Ross said the veteran right-hander will now join the team in Chicago but only to throw a bullpen session and work on some mechanical issues. It sounds like he'll make at least one more start on the farm before the Cubs consider him an option for their major-league rotation. Hendricks hasn't pitched in a big-league game since last July due to a capsule tear in his shoulder.