MLB Player News

Manager Oliver Marmol said Liberatore will be recalled from Triple-A Memphis to start Saturday's game against the Phillies in Philadelphia, Jeff Jones of the Belleville News-Democrat reports.

Liberatore has been optioned back to Memphis immediately after three of his first four big-league starts, but Marmol suggested that the rookie could have some staying power in the rotation during his upcoming stint in St. Louis, according to Katie Woo of The Athletic. With Jack Flaherty (shoulder) moving to the 15-day injured list Monday and Steven Matz (back) unlikely to be ready for a return from the IL until the second week of July, Liberatore should be in store for at least two starts. Liberatore has produced a 4.00 ERA, 1.61 WHIP and 6.1 K-BB% across 18 innings through his first four outings.

Liberatore rejoined the Cardinals on Wednesday and is expected to be formally called up from Triple-A Memphis later this week to make a start during the big club's upcoming series in Philadelphia, Jeff Jones of the Belleville News-Democrat reports.

He'll likely be joining the rotation as a replacement for Jack Flaherty (shoulder), who was placed on the 15-day injured list Monday. Liberatore has previously made four starts for St. Louis, covering 18 innings over those outings while churning out a 4.00 ERA, 1.61 WHIP and 6.1 K-BB%.

Lodolo (back) worked 4.2 innings in his rehab start Wednesday at Triple-A Louisville, striking out five while allowing one run on six hits and one walk.

In what was his fourth rehab start overall and third in a row at Louisville, Lodolo built up to 78 pitches, throwing 47 strikes. He looked relatively sharp in the outing, as two of the hits he allowed were infield singles, while the run he was charged with was surrendered by a Louisville reliever. Based on his workload, Lodolo looks ready to make his next start in the big leagues, provided he checks out fine following a bullpen session over the weekend. Lodolo has been on the injured list since late April with a lower-back strain.

Bednar was placed on the 7-day minor-league injured list for an undisclosed reason Wednesday, Single-A San Jose broadcaster Joe Ritzo reports.

Bednar has struggled in the minors over the last several weeks, logging a 6.52 ERA, 24:12 K:BB and 1.45 WHIP in 19.1 innings. The right-hander hasn't pitched in a game since June 12, and he'll be forced to miss at least a week due to his unspecified injury.

Ashby (forearm) threw a bullpen session in Tampa on Wednesday, Curt Hogg of the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel reports.

Ashby has been on the 15-day injured list since June 17 due to forearm inflammation, but he's downplayed the severity of the issue recently. He'll meet with the team's staff following Wednesday's throwing session to determine the next steps in his recovery, but it's possible that he returns to the mound during the Brewers' weekend series in Pittsburgh.

DeGrom (shoulder) threw 27 pitches during live batting practice Wednesday, Anthony DiComo of MLB.com reports.

The live batting practice session was the third deGrom has thrown in just over a week, and he was able to increase his pitch count Wednesday from his previous two workouts. Mets manager Buck Showalter said that the team will meet Thursday to determine the right-hander's next steps, but the skipper indicated that deGrom is close to beginning a rehab assignment.

Garrett (1-3) gave up five earned runs on seven hits and a walk while striking out five to take the loss in a 5-3 defeat to the Cardinals on Tuesday.

Garrett took his third loss of the season in his sixth start since being recalled from Triple-A Jacksonville. The 24-year-old left-hander was effective through the first four innings, but then the Cardinals got to him with a four-run fifth inning to knock him out of the game at 84 pitches. Despite carrying an inflated 5.24 ERA and a 1.70 WHIP, Garrett is striking out about one batter per nine and has a chase rate in the 95th percentile. He is expected to make his next start at Washington on Monday.

Freeland (4-5) gave up three earned runs on six hits and three walks while striking out five to get the win in a 7-4 victory over the Dodgers on Tuesday.

Freeland has been on a roll lately, and his quality start against the tough Dodgers lineup gives him four quality starts out of five appearances in June. He has earned three wins over the time span while lowering his ERA to 4.31, despite three of those starts coming at home. The 29-year-old left-hander is holding batters to a .231 average on the road this year, while that number jumps to .300 at home. Look for him to face off with the Dodgers again Monday.

Kershaw (5-2) gave up six earned runs on nine hits and four walks while striking out four over four innings to take the loss in a 7-4 defeat to the Rockies on Tuesday.

Kershaw had his worst start of the year, giving up a season-high number of hits, walks and earned runs. The walks were especially surprising given Kershaw's reputation for having excellent control. He picked the wrong venue to lose the strike zone, as Coors Field is notorious for punishing pitchers and Tuesday was no different. The Rockies took the veteran left-hander deep twice en route to tagging him with his second loss in nine starts. Look for him to take the mound Sunday against the Padres.

Arizona manager Torey Lovullo confirmed Tuesday that Keuchel will get another start, Nick Piecoro of the Arizona Republic reports.

This news may have been expected, but Lovullo's comments suggest Keuchel is still in an audition phase. The left-hander made his Diamondbacks' debut last Sunday, giving up four runs in 4.1 innings. The 15 swinging strikes induced were more than he registered in any of his eight starts while with the White Sox. Keuchel will likely remain in the rotation going forward, particularly after Arizona placed starter Zach Davies on the injured list with shoulder inflammation. He's expected to start Sunday in Colorado but could be moved up to take Davies' spot Saturday.