MLB Player News

Musgrove struck out six in seven scoreless innings while allowing a hit, four walks and hitting a batter in a 2-1 extra-inning win Thursday against San Francisco.

Musgrove did not allow a hit until LaMonte Wade's leadoff double in the sixth inning. Wade was the only baserunner to make it past first base against Musgrove. It was the fifth time in 15 starts that the 29-year-old has tossed at least six innings without allowing a run. Hitters are hitting .193/.250/.326 against Musgrove on the season. His next start will likely be in the middle of next week in Colorado.

Webb allowed a run on six hits and a walk while striking out two in eight innings in a 2-1 extra-inning loss Thursday in San Diego. He did not factor into the decision.

Webb was efficient and around the zone all night, throwing 70 of his 103 pitches for strikes. The lone mark against him came in the fourth inning, when Manny Machado hit a solo homer. While he is fanning fewer batters this season, Webb's 2.98 ERA and 1.11 WHIP are nearly identical to his 3.03 ERA and 1.11 WHIP last season. His next start will likely be early next week against Arizona.

Gomber pitched five innings against Arizona on Thursday, allowing three runs on six hits and one walk while striking out five batters. He did not factor in the decision.

Gomber was hounded by Diamondbacks catcher Carson Kelly, who tagged the hurler for three RBI on a homer and a single. Gomber otherwise did fine, though he needed 99 pitches to make it through five frames. The southpaw has yielded seven runs across 10.2 innings in his past two starts -- both against Arizona -- following a two-game run in the bullpen. That may be good enough to keep him in the Colorado rotation, but it isn't going to increase his roster percentage in most fantasy formats.

Williams (2-5) allowed two hits and no walks while striking out seven across seven scoreless innings to earn the win Thursday against the Marlins.

Williams made his second consecutive turn through the rotation in place of Chris Bassitt (illness). Williams was excellent, as he allowed only one extra-base hit and also struck out a season-best seven hitters. Despite the strong outing, he's likely to return to the bullpen for the time being as Bassitt will be activated from the COVID-19 injured list prior to starting Friday.

Strider struck out 12 in six scoreless innings while allowing two runs on two hits Thursday in a 3-2 loss in extra innings against St. Louis. He did not factor into the decision.

Strider struck out eight batters in the first three innings and allowed just one baserunner over the next three frames. The 23-year-old has found his stride of late, allowing one run on eight hits while compiling a 30:3 K:BB in 18 innings over three starts. His next start will likely be early next week against the Mets.

Liberatore struck out four in four shutout innings while allowing three hits and three walks Thursday in a 3-2 win in Atlanta in extra innings. He did not factor into the decision.

Liberatore was effectively wild, throwing just 41 of 74 pitches for strikes, and was able to pitch around trouble to hold Atlanta scoreless. The rookie has held opponents scoreless three times through six starts in the big leagues and allowed at least four runs the other three times. At Triple-A, the 22-year-old had a 61:17 K:BB through 58 innings but since joining the Cardinals his control has suffered and he has a 22:14 K:BB in 24.2 innings.

Hendricks underwent an MRI on his right shoulder Thursday that revealed no structural damage, Meghan Montemurro of the Chicago Tribune reports.

This news eliminates the possibility of surgery to correct the shoulder issue, which likely would have sidelined Hendricks for the rest of the season. There's no timetable for his return, though the team expects to update Hendicks' status once it finishes the weekend series in Los Angeles.

Falter was optioned to Triple-A Lehigh Valley after starting Thursday's game against the Nationals.

Falter threw four innings while allowing two earned runs on six hits and a walk in a no-decision. He also struck out six, his highest mark in any outing in the majors this season. Falter will remain a candidate to work in long relief or make spot starts for the Phillies throughout the season, but for now he'll head back to the minors.

Stroman (shoulder) is expected to be activated from the injured list and start during the Cubs' weekend series against the Dodgers, Meghan Montemurro of the Chicago Tribune reports.

Stroman threw a bullpen session Thursday and apparently felt well after the activity. Drew Smyly (oblique) is also expected to be activated from the injured list this weekend, which likely means that two of Matt Swarmer, Adrian Sampson and Mark Leiter will lose their rotation spot. Stroman has yet to get on track this season, as he has a 5.32 ERA and 1.23 WHIP across 47.1 frames.

Smyly (oblique) is expected to be activated from the injured list either Saturday or Sunday to make a start against the Dodgers, Meghan Montemurro of the Chicago Tribune reports.

Smyly threw a bullpen session Thursday and apparently felt well coming off the activity. Though he made only one rehab start, Smyly told reporters he anticipates being able to throw roughly 85 pitches. Smyly is a candidate to replace Justin Steele -- who is awaiting the birth of his child -- on Saturday, or the team could opt to shift its rotation and start Smyly on Sunday.