MLB Player News

Gibson (personal) was reinstated from the restricted list Thursday.

Due to his vaccination status, Gibson was unable to travel with the Phillies for their two-game series against Toronto. He didn't miss a start as a result, and he is in line to take the mound Friday against the Marlins.

The Nationals transferred Strasburg (ribs) from the 15-day injured list to the 60-day injured list Thursday.

Washington had been vague regarding a possible return timeline for Strasburg since he was deactivated June 14 due to to a stress reaction of his ribs, but the move to the 60-day IL ensures that he'll be out of commission until at least mid-August. The Nationals sit at 30 games under .500 entering Thursday's game against Atlanta, so the organization will have little incentive to rush Strasburg back to the mound, especially after he already missed the first two months of the season while recovering from last July's thoracic outlet syndrome surgery. Anibal Sanchez (neck) was activated from the 60-day IL in a corresponding move and will step into the rotation Thursday for his season debut.

Williamson worked six innings in his second start for Triple-A Louisville on July 8, striking out four while allowing one earned run on six hits and one walk.

Williamson was roughed up for four runs in four innings in his first start with Louisville earlier this month, but the 24-year-old lefty showed better form his second time out with the Triple-A club and tied a season high by covering six frames. He was promoted to Louisville on June 28 after submitting a 4.14 ERA, 1.50 WHIP and 74:40 K:BB across 67.1 innings in 14 outings with Double-A Chattanooga.

Matz (shoulder) is targeting a return from the 15-day injured list for Sunday's game versus the Reds, John Denton of MLB.com reports.

Matz pitched well in his fourth rehab appearance Tuesday, striking out seven while allowing two hits and two walks in 4.1 innings for Triple-A Memphis. He threw 81 pitches in that contest for Memphis, which suggests he'd have only a minimal workload restriction, if any, should he return Sunday. Matz has been out with the shoulder injury since May 22.

Senzatela (shoulder) is expected to be activated from the 15-day injured list to start Sunday against the Pirates, Kyle Newman of The Denver Post reports.

Senzatela pitched five innings in a rehab start Tuesday with Triple-A Albuquerque, and he now appears set to make his return to the Rockies' rotation for the final game before the All-Star break. He's been out since July 2 with right shoulder inflammation, but he will spend the minimum 15 days on the IL. Senzatela has posted a 4.95 ERA and 1.80 WHIP with 34 punchouts over 60 innings through 13 starts this year.

Steele (3-6) took the loss Wednesday, allowing three earned runs on six hits and one walk over six innings against the Orioles. He struck out three.

Steele was reinstated from the paternity list ahead of Wednesday's start and returned with a solid six-inning effort after struggling in the opening frame. The left-hander allowed four of the first five Orioles to reach base, with three of them coming around to score before Steele got out of the jam by retiring Adley Rutschman and Ramon Urias. Steele has pitched at least five innings in eight straight starts and sports a 3.23 ERA with 39 strikeouts during that stretch. His next start isn't scheduled until after the All-Star break.

Gray (7-6) took the loss in the first game of Wednesday's doubleheader against the Mariners, surrendering five runs on six hits -- including three home runs -- and three walks over five innings as the Nationals fell 6-4. He struck out seven.

The right-hander tossed only 57 of 97 pitches for strikes before exiting, and all five of the runs off him came via homer -- a three-run blast by Eugenio Suarez in the first inning, and a pair of solo shots by Jesse Winker and Adam Frazier in the fourth. Gray has been tagged for seven homers over his last four starts and 21 in 92 innings on the season, leading to a 4.40 ERA despite an otherwise palatable 1.27 WHIP and 106:39 K:BB.

Morton (5-4) took the loss Wednesday as Atlanta was downed 7-3 by the Mets, coughing up five runs on six hits -- including three home runs -- and three walks over five-plus innings. He struck out six.

The strikeouts salvaged some fantasy value for the veteran righty, but Morton wasn't really fooling anyone. He managed only nine swinging strikes among his 107 pitches, serving up multiple homers for the third time in his last seven starts while issuing at least three free passes for the third time in his last four. Despite those recent stumbles, Morton's loss was the first on his ledger since May 3, and he'll carry a 4.45 ERA, 1.25 WHIP and 114:37 K:BB through 99 innings into his next outing.

Bassitt (7-6) picked up the win Wednesday, allowing one run on five hits and two walks over six innings in a 7-3 victory over Atlanta. He struck out six.

The right-hander has produced five straight quality starts over the last month, although that streak was briefly interrupted by a stint on the COVID-19 injured list. Bassitt sports a 2.41 ERA during that stretch, lowering his mark on the season to 3.79 with a 1.14 WHIP and 104:28 K:BB through 102 innings.

Padres manager Bob Melvin said Wednesday that Gore will move to the bullpen for the team's final four games before the All-Star break, AJ Cassavell of MLB.com reports.

San Diego will get by with a five-man rotation this week, with both Sean Manaea and Mike Clevinger picking up a pair of starts during the team's seven-game slate. Gore is expected to slot back into the Padres' six-man rotation following the break, but the week off from starting duty could prove beneficial for the struggling rookie. Over his last five starts, Gore has gone 0-3 with a 10.18 ERA, 2.26 WHIP and 13:16 K:BB across 20.1 innings.