MLB Player News

Strasburg (thoracic outlet syndrome surgery) is scheduled to begin a rehab assignment Tuesday at Single-A Fredericksburg, Jessica Camerato of MLB.com reports.

The Nationals are targeting around four innings and 60 pitches Tuesday for Strasburg, who is making his first appearance in affiliated ball since June 1 of last year. Due to his lengthy layoff following the thoracic outlet syndrome surgery he underwent last July, Washington will presumably want to see Strasburg build up his pitch count over at least two starts in the minors before activating him from the 10-day injured list. The Nationals' decision not to move Strasburg onto the 60-day IL at any point would seem to imply that the team has hopes of him potentially joining the big-league rotation at some point during the first week of June.

The Cardinals announced that Matz was removed from his start Sunday against the Pirates in the first inning due to left shoulder stiffness, Jim Hayes of Bally Sports Midwest reports.

When he exited after throwing just four pitches, Matz looked to be grabbing at his midsection, which suggested a hip injury was in play. Instead, a shoulder issue was at the root of Matz's early departure, which makes sense given that he saw a steep drop in his velocity on his final pitch. Angel Rondon was summoned out of the bullpen to work in long relief, but the Cardinals could recall Matthew Liberatore from Triple-A Memphis if Matz is forced to go on the injured list. The Cardinals have an off day coming up Wednesday, which would allow the team to get by with a four-man rotation until May 30.

Matz was removed from his start Sunday against the Pirates in the first inning due to an apparent hip injury, John Denton of MLB.com reports.

Matz threw just four pitches before he departed after he appeared to hurt his midsection while facing his first batter of the day, Ke'Bryan Hayes. Angel Rondon came out of the bullpen to strike out Hayes and will now be on tap for a long-relief outing on the heels of Matz's early departure. The Cardinals will likely evaluate Matz over the next day or two before determining if he's fit to make his next start. St. Louis has an off day coming up Wednesday, so the team would be able to get by with a four-man rotation until May 30, if necessary.

The Cardinals optioned Liberatore to Triple-A Memphis on Sunday, John Denton of MLB.com reports.

Due to a May 17 doubleheader with the Mets, the Cardinals temporarily moved to a six-man rotation, which allowed Liberatore to receive his first call-up to the big leagues earlier in the weekend. He made his MLB debut Saturday, starting in the Cardinals' 5-4 win over the Pirates while allowing four runs on seven hits and two walks while striking out three in 4.2 innings. Even if he fared better against Pittsburgh, Liberatore likely still would have been headed back to the minors, as the Cardinals will move back to a five-man rotation during the upcoming week. The Cardinals have a doubleheader coming up June 4 in Chicago against the Cubs, so Liberatore could be an option to get called up and make another spot start that day if the St. Louis rotation remains intact prior to the twin bill.

Nola didn't factor into the decision in Saturday's 7-4 loss to the Dodgers, giving up four runs on five hits and a walk over 5.1 innings. He struck out nine.

The strikeouts were nice and tied Nola's season high, but he was also hit hard as four of the five knocks against him went for extra bases, including homers by Mookie Betts and Will Smith. Nola's now served up nine long balls in 52.1 innings on the season for a career-worst 1.55 HR/9, but he's balanced that out with a career-best 4.8 percent walk rate, leaving him with a 3.96 ERA and 0.99 WHIP.

Rodon (4-3) took the loss Saturday as the Giants were downed 2-1 by the Padres, allowing two runs on five hits and four walks over six innings. He struck out six.

The four free passes were a season high for Rodon, but he still tossed 68 of 100 pitches for strikes in his fifth quality start of the year. The southpaw will take a 3.43 ERA, 1.16 WHIP and 62:17 K:BB through 44.2 innings into his next outing.

Musgrove (5-0) picked up the win in Saturday's 2-1 victory over the Giants, allowing four hits and three walks over seven scoreless innings while striking out four.

The right-hander fired 64 of 100 pitches for strikes as he not only kept his record unblemished, he delivered his eighth quality start in eight trips to the mound this season. Musgrove is blossoming into a true ace this season, and he'll take a 1.90 ERA, 0.94 WHIP and 51:9 K:BB through 52 innings into his next outing.

Marquez (1-4) took the loss in the first game of Saturday's doubleheader against the Mets, coughing up five runs (four earned) on 11 hits and a walk over six innings. He struck out seven.

The right-hander fired 68 of 102 pitches for strikes before being lifted, and while it wasn't a horrible outing by Coors Field standards, Marquez got little help from his teammates. He's given up at least three earned runs in seven straight starts, leaving him with a 6.14 ERA, 1.59 WHIP and 39:12 K:BB through 44 innings on the season.

Carrasco (4-1) picked up the win in the first game of Saturday's doubleheader against the Rockies, allowing one run on seven hits over 5.1 innings. He struck out four without walking a batter.

The veteran right-hander gave up some hits in Coors Field, but only one went for extra bases and he was able to limit the damage. Carrasco tossed 87 pitches (61 strikes) before exiting, and he'll carry a 3.50 ERA, 1.14 WHIP and 39:7 K:BB through 46.1 innings into his next start. Aside from an eight-run blowup in late April, Carrasco has been excellent all season, something that's been especially beneficial for the Mets with Jacob deGrom and Max Scherzer injured.

Contreras allowed three runs (two earned) on six hits and a walk while striking out four across 5.2 innings to take the loss with Triple-A Indianapolis on Thursday.

Contreras took on Toldeo and was tagged for two of his three runs in the first two innings. However, he still limited baserunners and most importantly built his pitch count up to 84. Contreras began the season in Pittsburgh but was optioned to Indianapolis with the intention of stretching him out to a starter's workload. Now that he's done so, a return to the majors doesn't seem too far off.