MLB Player News

Stroman (1-4) allowed three runs (two earned) on five hits and no walks while striking out six across five innings to take the loss Thursday against Arizona.

Stroman was activated from the COVID-19 injured list prior to his start, and he took the mound for the first time since May 1. He began the outing with a perfect three innings but coughed up three runs in the fourth. After allowing 13 earned runs across his first 13.1 innings of the campaign, Stroman has surrendered only four earned runs across his last 18 frames. Overall, he has a 4.88 ERA with a 28:7 K:BB across 31.1 innings.

Bassitt didn't factor into the decision after allowing four runs on nine hits and one walk across 6.1 innings during Thursday's 7-6 win over the Cardinals. He struck out three.

Bassitt allowed solo shots to Juan Yepez and Paul Goldschmidt in the second and third innings respectively and was ultimately chased in the seventh after allowing two one-out baserunners. It wasn't the worst outing of the season for the right-hander, but his three strikeouts were a season low. Regardless, he still sports a 2.77 ERA with a 49:13 K:BB through his first eight starts (48.2 innings). His next start is tentatively scheduled for Tuesday's matchup in San Francisco.

Flaherty (shoulder) was transferred to the 60-day injured list Thursday, Jeff Jones of the Belleville News-Democrat reports.

Flaherty has been sidelined since the start of the regular season due to a right shoulder injury, but he began throwing bullpen sessions early this month. Since the right-hander will likely require a rehab assignment before rejoining the major-league club, his shift to the 60-day injured list shouldn't impact his return timetable. Matthew Liberatore is slated to have his contract selected to make his major-league debut as the starter for Saturday's game against the Pirates.

Boyle has a 0.65 ERA and 0.99 WHIP in six starts at High-A Dayton, striking 43 and walking 21 over 27.2 innings. He has allowed only six hits.

When Boyle was drafted in the fifth round out of Notre Dame in 2020, the book on him was that his massive fastball would generate many strikeouts and many walks, and that's been the case here. The upset is that he's stayed in the rotation so far, instead of being converted into a closer.

Gibson (3-2) took the loss after allowing two runs on eight hits across 5.2 innings during Thursday's 2-0 loss to the Padres. He recorded seven strikeouts and zero walks.

Gibson clearly didn't have his best stuff, but he was able to minimize the damage for the most part. Regardless, the Padres were still able to strike for two runs in the fourth after leading off the inning with three straight singles, which ended up being the difference in the game. Gibson's seven strikeouts were his highest since recording 10 during his first start of the campaign and certainly a bounce back from his season-low one in his last appearance. His next start is tentatively scheduled for Tuesday's matchup in Atlanta.

Megill (biceps) is tentatively scheduled to play catch Friday, Anthony DiComo of MLB.com reports.

Megill has been on the injured list since Sunday and was shut down for several days after being diagnosed with right biceps tendinitis. However, his arm has been feeling better recently, so he'll likely be able to begin a throwing program. While he'll require some time to build up prior to returning to game action, it's encouraging that he'll be able to resume throwing following a brief shutdown.

Darvish (4-1) earned the win after allowing zero runs on six hits across seven innings during Thursday's 2-0 win over the Phillies. He struck out five and didn't record a walk.

Darvish bounced back from a rough outing in his last start to register his third appearance of the season with at least six shutout innings. The right-hander allowed back-to-back singles with one out in the sixth, but that was the most danger he faced all game. His next start is tentatively scheduled for Tuesday's contest against Milwaukee.

Liberatore will make his major-league debut as the starter in Saturday's game against the Pirates, Derrick Goold of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch reports

Liberatore made 22 appearances (18 starts) at Triple-A Memphis in 2021, and he began the 2022 campaign in Memphis. Over seven starts this season, he's posted a 3.83 ERA, 46:12 K:BB and 1.20 WHIP in 40 innings. The southpaw is one of the Cardinals' top pitching prospects and has an electric slider, so he'll likely have a chance to earn a long-term spot in the big-league rotation. However, the team will make a decision regarding whether to send him back down based on how he performs Saturday, according to Katie Woo of The Athletic.

Stroman (illness) was activated from the COVID-19 injured list ahead of his start against the Diamondbacks on Thursday, Maddie Lee of the Chicago Sun-Times reports.

The 31-year-old has been on the COVID-19 injured list since testing positive for the virus May 8, but he's cleared MLB's testing protocols and will rejoin the rotation Thursday. Stroman delivered his best start of the season his last time out May 1 with seven scoreless innings, and he could have some workload limitations in his first start back from the shelf.

Mahle did not factor into the decision in Thursday's win in Cleveland. He allowed one run on two hits and two walks while striking out four over 6.1 innings.

While he didn't get a win for his efforts, Mahle pitched well, posting his second straight quality start. The right-hander didn't record a single quality start in any of his first seven turns this season. He's beginning to round into form, though his struggles at home in Great American Ball Park have persisted. Mahle lines up to face the Cubs in Cincinnati early next week.