MLB Player News

Strasburg (ribs) isn't expected to return to action in 2022 after the Nationals transferred him to the 60-day injured list last week, Jon Heyman of the New York Post reports.

Strasburg is eligible to come off the IL in mid-August, but the Nationals -- who headed into the All-Star break with an MLB-worst 31-63 record -- don't seem to have much motivation to rush him back. Though Heyman relays that Strasburg won't require another thoracic syndrome surgery for an injury that is being classified as a stress reaction of the ribs, the issue is considered nerve-related, so the non-contending Nationals are likely to take precaution with the veteran right-hander. Since re-signing on a seven-year, $245 million contract after helping lead Washington to its first World Series title in 2019, Strasburg has made only eight starts for the club.

Ashby (2-7) was the pitcher of record in Sunday's 9-5 loss to the Giants after giving up two earned runs on three hits and no walks while striking out two over one inning.

Ashby was called upon on three days' rest to start the Brewers' final game before the All-Star break, but he essentially served as an opener for what ended up being a bullpen day for Milwaukee. Even though he came into the outing knowing he wouldn't work deep into the start, Ashby didn't have his best stuff and put Milwaukee an early 2-1 hole the team was unable to dig out of. He heads into the break with a 4.57 ERA and 1.49 WHIP over 69 innings this season.

Dunn (shoulder) struck out three and surrendered eight runs (three earned) on nine hits and two walks Sunday in his rehab start for Triple-A Louisville.

Dunn made the fifth start of his rehab assignment and his fourth in a row at Louisville, with whom he's posted a 5.93 ERA and 1.61 WHIP across 13.2 innings. Though Dunn now appears to have recovered from the strained right shoulder that has kept him on the shelf all season, the 26-year-old doesn't look as though he'll have a spot waiting for him in the Reds rotation upon being activated. Instead, look for the Reds to simultaneously option him to Louisville once he's reinstated to allow him to work out the kinks in the minors before he potentially joins the big-league rotation later on in the season.

Peterson gave up one unearned run on three hits and three walks while striking out eight over five innings in a 3-2 loss to the Cubs on Sunday. He did not factor into the decision.

Peterson took advantage of the Cubs sub-par lineup by racking up eight strikeouts over five innings of work. The 26-year-old left-hander found himself in a bases-loaded jam in the fourth after a fielding error by Eduardo Escobar on a tailor-made double play ball, but he got out of the inning by leaning on his slider to induce a couple of swinging strikeouts. Peterson's slider has tons of movement and opponents are only hitting .145 against it in 2022. Despite his success in the rotation this season, however, he could be the odd man out when Jacob deGrom (shoulder) comes off the IL some time after the All-Star break.

Clevinger (2-3) took the loss during Sunday's 3-1 defeat at the hands of the Diamondbacks, allowing one run on four hits and two walks with eight strikeouts in six innings.

Clevinger was the first to flinch in what was a pitcher's duel with Arizona starter Merrill Kelly, surrendering a solo shot to David Peralta in the sixth that proved enough to saddle him with a third straight loss. Despite the defeat, the 31-year-old struck out a season-high eight batters with an impressive 16 swinging strikes and delivered only his second quality start in nine turns. Clevinger concludes an injury-plagued first half with a 3.50 ERA and 1.14 WHIP with 48 strikeouts in 46.1 innings across nine starts and 10 appearances.

Strider (4-3) allowed five runs on four hits and two walks over four innings Sunday, striking out four and taking a loss against Washington.

Most of the damage against Strider came during an ugly four-run second inning; he yielded a two-run single to Ehire Adrianza and a two-run homer to Victor Robles in the frame. It was Strider's second straight start of fewer than five innings after tossing six innings in each of his previous three outings. The 23-year-old is now sporting a 3.03 ERA with a 114:30 K:BB through 21 appearances (10 starts).

Kelly (9-5) earned the wind during Sunday's 3-1 victory over San Diego, allowing one run on six hits with five strikeouts in six plus innings.

Kelly shut down San Diego's offense through six frames, surrendering his lone run on a Luke Voit solo shot to lead off the seventh that prompted his removal. The 33-year-old has now submitted four straight quality starts, during which he's pitched to a 2.05 ERA across 26.1 innings. Kelly concludes the first half with a 3.26 ERA and 1.21 WHIP with 89 strikeouts in 110.1 innings across 19 starts.

Alexander didn't factor into the decision during Sunday's 9-5 defeat at the hands of the Giants, allowing seven runs on eight hits and two walks with five strikeouts in five innings.

Alexander was originally tabbed to start Sunday's game, but manager Craig Counsell opted to go with Aaron Ashby instead with Alexander to follow. Ashby surrendered two runs in one plus innings and the 29-year-old was brought in during the second without much better fortune. He was sunk by a five-run third that opened with three straight hits and concluded with four two-out runs, then served up a two-run Brandon Belt homer in the sixth. Alexander has now been tagged for seven runs in two of his last seven appearances and ends the first half with a 5.60 ERA and 1.71 WHIP with 23 strikeouts in 45 innings across 10 appearances and seven starts.

Rogers (4-9) allowed four runs on seven hits over six innings Sunday, striking out four and taking a loss against Philadelphia.

Rogers turned in three scoreless innings to begin Sunday's contest. The Phillies broke out in the fourth, plating four runs in the frame, including a two-run shot from Yairo Munoz. It was the first time Rogers completed six innings since his April 28 win in Washington. The 24-year-old saw his ERA rise slightly to 5.46 with a 78:39 K:BB through 84 innings entering the All-Star break.

Webb (9-3) earned the win during Sunday's 9-5 victory over Milwaukee, allowing two runs on four hits and two walks with five strikeouts in six-plus innings.

Webb shut down Milwaukee's offense following a Willy Adames solo home run in the first inning and cruised to an easy win on an efficient 88 pitches. The 25-year-old has now delivered seven straight quality starts -- during which he's pitched to a 1.37 ERA across 46 innings -- and ranks fourth in the league with 14 quality starts on the season. Webb wraps up the first half with a 2.83 ERA and 1.10 WHIP with 101 strikeouts in 117.2 innings across 19 starts.