MLB Player News

Lowder (forearm/oblique) has been cleared to begin throwing from a mound after an MRI on his oblique came back negative, MLB.com reports.

Lowder is scheduled to throw in the bullpen Sunday. The right-hander first experienced a forearm injury in spring training, then developed an oblique strain while rehabbing in May. The Reds expects him to have a normal offseason, but it's unclear how missing an entire season of development may impact his ability to compete for a spot in the Reds' rotation next spring.

Winn threw a scoreless ninth inning in Saturday's 2-1 loss to the Rays, allowing one hit and one walk.

The 27-year-old made his season debut with San Francisco due to Ryan Walker being placed on the paternity list. Winn threw only five of his 12 pitches for strikes, and the right-hander had struggled at Triple-A Sacramento before being recalled, recording a 9.31 ERA, 1.88 WHIP and a 20:7 K:BB across 19.1 innings in 11 appearances (three starts).

The Phillies reinstated Nola (rib/ankle) from the 60-day injured list ahead of his scheduled start Sunday in Washington.

Nola will make his return to the rotation for the first time since mid-May, after he was initially placed on the IL due to a right ankle sprain before his stint on the shelf was prolonged by a stress fracture in his right rib. The veteran righty made enough progress in his recoveries from both injuries to begin a rehab assignment Aug. 1, and after accruing a 2.19 ERA, 1.14 WHIP and 17:3 K:BB over 12.1 innings across three rehab starts with Triple-A Lehigh Valley, he proved that he was ready to return. Nola tossed 84 pitches in his final rehab outing and should be capable of handling a typical workload Sunday in what looks to be a soft landing in his return, as he'll be taking on a Nationals squad that has posted a 90 wRC+ as a team since the All-Star break.

Nelson did not factor into the decision Saturday, allowing four runs on eight hits and no walks over 6.1 innings against Colorado. He struck out four.

Nelson was chased from the game after surrendering an RBI triple to Ryan Ritter. The right-hander has cooled off in August, posting a 5.71 ERA and 1.33 WHIP over three starts spanning 17.1 innings.

Dollander did not factor into the decision Saturday, allowing five runs (four earned) on six hits and two walks over 4.2 innings against the Diamondbacks. He struck out six.

The right-hander was chased before finishing the fifth inning, with Lourdes Gurriel and Adrian Del Castillo each driving in runs to expedite his departure. Since being recalled Aug. 11, Dollander has made two starts, giving up five earned runs over 9.2 innings. The 2023 first-rounder's lively arm has yet to translate into consistent results at the big-league level, as he carries a 6.43 ERA and 1.57 WHIP across 78.1 innings in 17 starts this season.

Gray (11-6) took the loss Saturday, allowing six runs on nine hits and two walks over five innings against the Yankees. He struck out seven.

Gray was knocked around early, giving up two runs in the first inning and allowing runs in three of his five frames overall. The veteran had looked sharp in his previous three outings, posting a 2.37 ERA and 0.89 WHIP across 19 innings, but Saturday's start halted that momentum. For the year, the right-hander carries a 4.30 ERA and 1.19 WHIP through 140.1 innings in 25 starts.

Littell did not factor into Saturday's decision against the Brewers, allowing one run on four hits and one walk while striking out three across six innings.

Littell faced the minimum number of batters in three of six innings and kept the Brewers in check outside of a Brice Turang RBI double in the second. Littell needed just 87 pitches (54 strikes) to make it through six innings, and he was in line for his 10th win of the season before the Brewers tied things up at 2-2 in the ninth frame. The 29-year-old right-hander has given up one earned run or less in three of his last four outings and has a 3.37 ERA and 1.21 WHIP across his six starts since the All-Star break. Littell is slated to make his next start on the road against the Diamondbacks next weekend.

Priester did not factor into Saturday's decision against the Reds, allowing two runs on six hits and one walk while striking out five across 5.1 innings.

Priester was in control through the first five innings and kept the Reds off the scoreboard. That quickly changed in the sixth, when he gave up solo home runs to Ke'Bryan Hayes and Spencer Steer before being pulled two outs shy from a quality start. Priester has given up six home runs over his last four outings, but he hasn't taken a loss since May 13 and has an 11-2 record (across 17 starts) with a 3.48 ERA, 1.24 WHIP and 100:40 K:BB across 124 innings this season. He's in line to start against the Cubs at Wrigley Field next week.

Snell (3-1) allowed five hits and two walks while striking out three over six shutout innings to earn the win over the Padres on Saturday.

Snell has allowed zero runs over his last two outings, adding a 13:5 K:BB across 11 innings in that span. Control is often a concern for Snell, but he's been effective in managing the traffic on the basepaths since returning from a shoulder injury. Overall, he has a 1.80 ERA, 1.44 WHIP and 25:13 K:BB over 25 innings through five starts this season. Snell is projected to make his next start in a rematch with the Padres in San Diego next week.

Cease (5-11) allowed five runs (three earned) on two hits and six walks while striking out two over 3.1 innings to take the loss Saturday versus the Dodgers.

Cease threw just 44 of 85 pitches for strikes. It wasn't all his fault, as a Jackson Merrill error in the second inning was responsible for two runs, but Cease's struggles to find the strike zone continue to be a concern at times. This is the second time in four starts he's walked five or more batters. On the year, he's at a 4.61 ERA, 1.31 WHIP and 171:56 K:BB over 132.2 innings across 25 starts. Among qualified starting pitchers, Cease's 3.8 BB/9 is fourth worst in the majors, though his 11.6 K/9 is second-best. He's projected to make his next start at home versus the Giants, which is a favorable matchup for him to get back on track.