MLB Player News

Stone has a 1.53 ERA, 1.15 WHIP and 78:19 K:BB across 53 innings (10 starts) since his promotion to Double-A Tulsa.

Those stats should have dynasty managers on high alert, as Stone -- a fifth-round pick in 2020 -- has been incredibly dominant in the minors this year and is looking like a potential mid-rotation starter in the big leagues. With three plus pitches (fastball, slider, changeup) to his credit, Stone has limited opposing hitters to just a single home run all season. He's also shown excellent control outside of his two most recent starts, in which he's issued nearly half of his Double-A walks. It's worth monitoring him out of the break to see whether his control returns to normal, but there's a lot to like here in general.

The Cardinals reinstated Matz (shoulder) from the 15-day injured list ahead of his scheduled start Sunday against the Reds in St. Louis, John Denton of MLB.com reports.

Matz will make his return to the St. Louis rotation for what will be his first start since May 22 after he needed extended time off to recover from a left shoulder impingement. During his most recent rehab start at Triple-A Memphis on Tuesday, Matz built up to 4.1 innings and 81 pitches, so he should face only a light workload restriction Sunday.

Keller (3-7) gave up one unearned run, five hits and two walks while striking out six over six innings in a 2-0 defeat to the Rockies on Saturday. Keller was saddled with the loss.

Keller was tasked with the tough assignment of pitching in Coors Field, but he held his own and didn't give up an earned run over six quality innings. The only unearned run surrendered by the Pirates with Keller on the mound was caused by an errant throw from Oneil Cruz on a play at first base. Connor Joe advanced to second on the play and later came in to score on a Kris Bryant single. The 26-year-old right-hander has now thrown two quality outings in a row, giving up only one earned run over 13 innings. Keller will look to build on the momentum and lower his 4.55 ERA in his next expected start against the Marlins after the All-Star break.

Urena (1-1) gave up five hits and two walks while striking out four over six scoreless innings to earn the win in a 2-0 victory over the Pirates on Saturday.

Urena took advantage of the lowly Pirates offense, going six strong for his first win of the season. The veteran right-hander has been solid in his three starts since being recalled from Triple-A Albuquerque on July 7. He has given up only three earned runs in 18.2 innings as a starter. Despite playing well in the opportunities he has been given this season, it is unclear if he will hang in the rotation since Antonio Senzatela (shoulder) is expected to return after the All-Star break.

Meyer (0-1) took the loss against Philadelphia on Saturday, allowing five runs on seven hits and one walk over 5.1 innings. He struck out five batters.

Meyer was called up prior to the game to make his big-league debut. The 23-year-old navigated through three scoreless frames before serving up a two-run homer to J.T. Realmuto in the fourth inning. He gave up a solo shot to Rhys Hoskins in the sixth, then watched from the dugout as two more runs were charged to his ledger. Despite the rough debut, Meyer is expected to get additional turns in the rotation following the All-Star break.

Suarez (7-5) earned the win over Miami on Saturday, pitching five scoreless innings during which he allowed four hits and struck out four batters.

Suarez came off the 15-day IL prior to the game and was matched up against Max Meyer, who made his first major-league start. Suarez got the better of the rookie, yielding only one extra-base hit and preventing any runners from reaching third base. The left-hander was held to 64 pitches in his first outing since June 29, but he stuck around just long enough to pick up the victory. Suarez finished the first half of the campaign with a 4.07 ERA, 1.42 WHIP and 68:33 K:BB over 84 innings.

Urias (8-6) allowed one run on five hits and struck out eight in seven innings, earning the win Saturday over the Angels.

Urias was hit hard in a short start last Sunday, but he was back to his usual excellence against the Angels. He limited the damage to a Brandon Marsh solo shot in the seventh inning. This was the first time Urias has completed seven frames all year, and he's won five of his last six starts after getting rather unlucky with decisions early in the campaign. He has a 2.89 ERA, 1.02 WHIP and 94:22 K:BB across 96.2 innings in 18 starts, though those impressive stats weren't enough to get him named to the All-Star Game at Dodger Stadium on Tuesday.

Smyly allowed two runs (one earned) on five hits, a walk and a hit batsman while striking out four in 4.1 innings in a no-decision versus the Mets in the second game of Saturday's doubleheader.

Smyly's previous start was cut short after two innings due to performance, which didn't allow him to stretch out much after a nearly six-week absence with an oblique injury. He was much better Saturday, allowing a run to score on a third-inning groundout and another on an Eduardo Escobar solo shot in the fourth. Smyly threw 57 of 83 pitches for strikes, so he's almost up to a full starter's workload and shouldn't face much of a restriction, if any, after the All-Star break. He has a 4.22 ERA, 1.35 WHIP and 39:12 K:BB across 49 innings in 11 starts this season.

Lauer allowed a run on two hits and three walks while striking out four over seven innings in a no-decision versus the Giants on Saturday.

Lauer limited the damage to a Darin Ruf solo home run in the sixth inning, though the Giants scraped together another run against the Brewers' bullpen in the eighth. This was the third time this season Lauer's managed to complete seven frames. He's given up eight runs (seven earned) in 22.1 innings across his last four starts, trimming his ERA from 3.89 prior to that stretch to 3.64 at the end of the first half of the season. The southpaw has added a 1.16 WHIP and 100:31 K:BB in 96.1 innings across 17 starts.

Walker did not factor into the decision in the first game of Saturday's doubleheader, allowing one run on four hits and two walks over six innings against the Cubs. He struck out five.

Make it seven consecutive quality starts for Walker to close the first half of the 2022 campaign. He's on a brilliant run and his ERA is all the way down to 2.55 after he finished with a 4.47 mark last season. The right-hander has benefited from a relatively soft schedule of late, but he's also aced his toughest tests. While his strikeout rate is down slightly overall, Walker has shown more of a strikeout punch lately, fanning 48 in his last 45 innings.