MLB Player News

Manager Gabe Kapler said Tuesday that Wood (illness) has "turned a corner" in his recovery from COVID-19 and could resume mound work this weekend, Susan Slusser of the San Francisco Chronicle reports.

The 30-year-old landed on the injured list in late August after testing positive for the virus, and it appears he's been dealing with significant symptoms. Wood remains without a timeline for his return, but he should be back before the end of the regular season if he's able to start throwing off a mound this weekend.

The Mets revealed Tuesday that deGrom has been recovering from a partial tear of his right UCL, Tim Healey of Newsday reports.

The team had remained mostly positive about deGrom's outlook through multiple MRIs, but the fact that he landed on the 60-day injured list in late August made it clear that he was dealing with a fairly significant injury. General manager Sandy Alderson expressed more optimism Tuesday, noting that the issue resolved itself and deGrom's elbow ligament is still intact. That's certainly positive news, but the knowledge that he had indeed been dealing with at least a small tear makes it tough to have confidence in his health going forward. He remains without a clear timeline to return to action, though the Mets have yet to shut him down for the season.

Woodford is expected to start Thursday against the Dodgers, Zachary Silver of MLB.com reports.

The Cardinals are still officially listing Thursday's starter as "TBD," but it seems clear that Woodford will be the one to get the nod. Kwang Hyun Kim will be available out of the bullpen Tuesday. Woodford took batting practice with the rest of the Cardinals' starting pitchers, indicating that he'll be stepping into Kim's spot in the rotation.

Kim will be available out of the bullpen starting Tuesday, Zachary Silver of MLB.com reports.

Kim has struggled in his last five appearances, allowing 12 runs in 15 innings while striking out nine and walking seven. Jake Woodford will step into the rotation in his place.

Lopez (shoulder) will resume bullpen sessions this week, Christina De Nicola of MLB.com reports.

Lopez has been out for the entirety of the second half while battling a shoulder strain. He made one three-inning rehab appearance back on Aug. 21 before the Marlins elected to slow him down. He still seems to have time to make it back for at least a start or two before the end of the season, but he may not be fully stretched out, and even a small setback could see him shut down for the season with less than four weeks remaining on the schedule.

Phillies manager Joe Girardi said Suarez will make his next scheduled start Thursday against the Rockies in Philadelphia, Todd Zolecki of MLB.com reports.

Suarez turned in perhaps the best of his seven starts to date this season his last time out Saturday in Miami, when he struck out seven Marlins over five scoreless frames to come away with a no-decision. Although Suarez was sitting at only 71 pitches through five innings, the Phillies opted not to send him out for the sixth after the southpaw relayed to the training staff that he was experiencing "a little tightness" in his triceps, per Scott Lauber of The Philadelphia Inquirer. The Phillies appear to have pulled Suarez early as a matter of precaution, as Girardi never expressed any doubt the 26-year-old would be ready to make his next start. Suarez shouldn't face any major restrictions in his return to the hill Thursday.

Freeland (5-7) was ambushed for seven runs and picked up a loss against the Giants on Monday. He gave up nine hits while walking three and striking out six in 4.1 innings.

The left-hander struggled with the long ball in this one as he surrendered four of them in the contest including two by Thairo Estrada. He had only surrendered four total home runs in his last seven starts coming into Monday, a stretch where he posted a 3.25 ERA over 36 innings. He'll look to return to form in his next projected start Saturday versus the Phillies.

Gausman (13-5) picked up a win after tossing seven innings of three-run ball while giving up five hits, walking one and striking out nine against the Rockies on Monday.

The 30-year-old was effective in this one while limiting the Rockies to only three runs at the challenging venue of Coors Field. Ryan McMahon and Garrett Hampson each hit solo home runs off the veteran and Charlie Blackmon tripled in the other run charged to Gausman in the start. Gausman has now rattled off eight consecutive starts where he has surrendered three or less runs, picking up four wins along the way. He is expected to start next on Saturday in Chicago against the Cubs.

Steele surrendered three runs on four hits and two walks while striking out four over five innings in Monday's victory over the Reds. He did not factor into the game's decision.

The lefty went the first five innings of his outing without giving up a run but ran into trouble in the top of the sixth. He allowed four straight batters to reach before being pulled and getting charged with a total of three runs in the frame. The 26-year-old has posted a 4.77 ERA in five starts since becoming a part of the starting rotation and will draw the Giants in his next projected start Sunday.

Gray tossed five innings Monday, giving up three runs (two earned) on three hits while striking out eight in the loss to the Cubs. He did not factor into the game's decision.

The 31-year-old was tagged for a three-run home run by Ian Happ in the first inning before settling in and pitching four scoreless innings to finish his outing. Interestingly, Gray was pulled after only 66 pitches in favor of a pinch hitter in the top of the sixth inning. Since an eight run blow-up against the Cardinals on July 25, the right-hander has rebounded nicely with a 2.89 ERA and 0.92 WHIP over his last eight starts. He is projected to start next against the Cardinals on the road Sunday.