MLB Player News

Smyly (personal) was activated from the bereavement list prior to Saturday's start against the Dodgers, Tim Stebbins of NBC Sports Chicago reports.

Smyly had been away from the team since Tuesday, but he'll start the first game of Saturday's doubleheader. The southpaw is officially serving as the 27th man for the twin bill but should remain in the rotation following Saturday's outing.

Alcantara (2-2) was handed the loss during Friday's 3-2 defeat at the hands of the Padres, allowing three runs (two earned) on five hits and two walks with five strikeouts in 4.2 innings.

Alcantara breezed through three innings after surrendering one run in the first, but he was tagged for two more runs in the fifth on three hits and an error. The 26-year-old has prevented runs well enough -- two or fewer permitted in five of six starts -- but efficiency has been an issue. He's gone fewer than six innings in half his starts after being one of four pitchers with 200 innings last season. He'll look to get back in the win column against Arizona next week.

Strider gave up four hits and struck out eight over four scoreless innings of relief but didn't factor into the decision in Friday's 6-3 loss to the Brewers.

Entering the game after opener Jesse Chavez had coughed up two runs in the first inning, Strider shut down the Milwaukee offense and gave Atlanta a chance to tie the game up. Unfortunately, as soon as the rookie right-hander exited after firing 69 pitches (50 strikes), the Brewers' bats got rolling again. Strider battled some control issues in April, walking multiple batters in three straight appearances, but he appears to be tightening things up and has 13 strikeouts against only one walk over his last two outings and 7.2 innings. Atlanta has struggled to find a consistent fifth starter so far this season, but Strider could soon get a look in the rotation given his recent improvements. On the season, he sports a 2.16 ERA, 1.08 WHIP and 24:9 K:BB through 16.2 innings.

Lauer (3-0) picked up the win Friday, allowing two runs (one earned) on two hits and three walks over 6.1 innings in a 6-3 victory over Atlanta. He struck out eight.

The southpaw tossed 94 pitches (59 strikes) as he reeled off his fourth straight quality start. The three free passes were a season high for Lauer and he did serve up another homer, his fourth in 29.2 innings on the year, but it's hard to argue with the career-high 36.2 percent strikeout rate he's compiled so far. Lauer will take a 1.82 ERA and 0.94 WHIP into his next outing.

Darvish (3-1) recorded the win during Friday's 3-2 victory over Miami, allowing two runs on five hits with three strikeouts in seven innings.

Though Darvish didn't have his most dominant stuff, San Diego jumped out to an early 3-0 lead and a Jesus Aguilar home run was the only offense Miami could manage. Aside from a blow-up outing against San Francisco on April 12, the 35-year-old has registered five quality starts totaling 31.2 innings while permitting only six runs. San Diego is currently going with a six-man rotation, so Darvish tentatively lines up to face Atlanta on Friday.

Kelly (3-1) earned the win during Friday's 4-1 victory over Colorado, allowing one run on seven hits and two walks with eight strikeouts in 8.2 innings.

Kelly gave up his lone run in the first inning then shut down Colorado's offense for the rest of the game en route to his third win. He fell in line for the victory after Arizona scored three runs in the eighth but couldn't quite hold on for the complete game, permitting a pair of two-out singles before being removed. The 33-year-old has been a revelation this season, firing four straight quality starts while allowing five runs in 27.2 innings during the stretch. He'll face a real test against the Dodgers next week.

Flaherty (shoulder) will throw a bullpen session Saturday and he will be allowed to throw all of his pitches, Sam Blum of The Athletic reports.

This will be his first bullpen session since being shut down in March, and it's noteworthy that he won't be limited to only fastballs. Flaherty will likely have several more such sessions, possibly throwing live batting practice, before a rehab assignment would be on the table.

Lodolo (back) will not make a start this weekend against the Pirates after Friday's game was postponed and the rotation was pushed back, Charlie Goldsmith of The Cincinnati Enquirer reports.

This is a tough break for those who started Lodolo this week in hopes of taking advantage of a good matchup against the Pirates. It's unclear if he will join the rotation next week at home against the Brewers. Tyler Mahle will start Sunday.

Overton will start Game 1 of Saturday's doubleheader against the Pirates after Friday's game was rained out, C. Trent Rosecrans of The Athletic reports.

The Reds' rotation is getting a little crowded, with Nick Lodolo and Luis Castillo expected back in the coming days, but the team will still give Overton a start this weekend even though they no longer needed to after Friday's game was postponed. Robert Duggar will start Saturday's nightcap.

Brubaker will start Game 1 of Saturday's doubleheader against the Reds after Friday's game was rained out, C. Trent Rosecrans of The Athletic reports.

Mitch Keller will start Saturday's nightcap, with the Reds no longer having need of a sixth starter for this weekend's series.