MLB Player News

Syndergaard (elbow) tested positive for COVID-19 and won't make his scheduled rehab appearance with High-A Brooklyn on Sunday, Tim Healey of Newsday reports.

Syndergaard was poised to make his second rehab outing and cover one-plus innings, but his rehab program will instead be stalled following the positive test. The right-hander, who also turns 29 years old Sunday, likely won't be able to return from the injured list until at least mid-September since he'll still need more appearances after clearing the health and safety protocols. According to Jon Heyman of MLB Network, Syndergaard is fully vaccinated, which will hopefully help mitigate the effects of any symptoms he might be experiencing.

Atlanta reinstated Anderson (shoulder) from the 10-day injured list ahead of his scheduled start Sunday against the Giants.

Reliever Edgar Santana was sent to Triple-A Gwinnett to open up a spot on the active roster for Anderson, who returns to the mound for the first time since July 11. Anderson seemingly assuaged concerns about the health of his shoulder during a four-start rehab assignment in the minors that culminated with a five-inning, nine-strikeout outing with Gwinnett on Tuesday. He built up to 90 pitches in that start, so he shouldn't face any restrictions Sunday as he rejoins Atlanta.

Alcantara (8-12) picked up the win in Saturday's 6-1 victory over the Reds, allowing one run on six hits and a walk over seven innings. He struck out a career-high 12.

The right-hander got staked to a 5-0 lead in the first inning and never looked back, slicing through the Cincinnati lineup on 98 pitches (and a whopping 75 strikes) while fanning double-digit batters for the third time in his last six starts. A 10-run disaster at Coors Field aside, Alcantara has looked like a bona fide ace lately, delivering quality starts in six of his last seven outings with a 3.35 ERA, 1.03 WHIP and 53:10 K:BB through 45.2 innings over that stretch.

Gutierrez (9-5) took the loss Saturday, giving up five runs on seven hits over three innings as the Reds fell 6-1 to the Marlins. He struck out two without walking a batter.

All the damage came in the first inning, highlighted by a three-run shot off the bat of Jesus Sanchez, and Gutierrez got the hook after 67 pitches (39 strikes). The rough outing snapped a string of six straight quality starts for the right-hander, and he'll carry a 4.03 ERA, 1.32 WHIP and 75:35 K:BB through 96 innings into his next outing.

Gibson (10-5) picked up the win in Saturday's 7-0 victory over the Diamondbacks, allowing three hits over six scoreless innings. He struck out three without walking a batter.

The right-hander fired 66 of 99 pitches for strikes in his best outing yet since joining the Phillies. Gibson has been rock solid in August, and he's 5-for-5 in turning starts into quality starts -- his one bad outing this month came in relief. On the season, he sports a career-best 2.94 ERA and 1.18 WHIP through 150 innings, albeit with a less impressive 116:53 K:BB.

Mejia (0-1) took the loss Saturday, giving up four runs on eight hits and a walk over six innings as the Diamondbacks were downed 7-0 by the Phillies. He struck out three.

The right-hander's second start of the season didn't go quite as well as his first. Mejia served up back-to-back solo shots in the third inning to Odubel Herrera and Jean Segura among the six extra-base hits the Phillies racked up against him, while the Arizona offense only managed four hits in total all night. Mejia sports a 4.91 ERA and 1.55 WHIP through 11 innings, and it's not clear if he'll remain in the rotation beyond this outing.

Wainwright (13-7) pitched seven scoreless innings to pick up the win against Pittsburgh on Saturday, yielding three hits and one walk while striking out five.

As far as comfortable outings go, this one ranked near the top this season for Wainwright, who was gifted a 7-0 lead after three innings and was provided 13 total runs of support. The veteran hurler registered his eighth straight quality start and his third scoreless outing in his past four appearances. Over that span, he has allowed only two earned runs across 30 innings while posting a 25:3 K:BB. Wainwright has proven to be fantasy gold for those who trusted that he had something left in the tank -- his 13 wins are tied for third in the league, and his 2.97 ERA ranks 14th among qualified pitchers. He's projected to make his next start at Milwaukee on Friday.

Manager Bud Black said Gray exited Saturday's start against the Dodgers with right forearm tightness, Nick Groke of The Athletic reports.

Black indicated the injury was up toward Gray's elbow, though the apparent location of the tightness on the lateral side -- away from the UCL -- is a bit of potentially encouraging news. Regardless, any forearm or elbow injury is a concerning development for a pitcher, leaving Gray's status up in the air as he continues to be evaluated over the next few days. The right-hander didn't factor in the decision Saturday after giving up a run on two hits with three walks and two strikeouts over two innings.

Ynoa (4-4) allowed two runs on three hits and three walks with three strikeouts over six innings, taking the loss in Saturday's 5-0 defeat to the Giants.

Ynoa began Saturday night on shaky ground after coughing up a solo homer to Tommy La Stella in the first and allowing another run to score on a La Stella sac fly in the third, but rendered the Giants hitless in his final three innings of work. Though the strikeouts weren't there and the three free passes were a season high, Ynoa was able to get through six innings and keep the Braves in it against a hot Giants team. The right-hander figures to pitch next Thursday against the Rockies.

Webb (8-3) allowed five hits with one walk and six strikeouts over seven shutout innings, picking up the win in Saturday's 5-0 victory over the Braves.

Webb did it all on Saturday, even helping his own cause with a double as he cruised through seven dominant innings in Atlanta. The right-hander limited a potent Braves order to just five singles on the night while striking out six. After averaging four strikeouts per game over four starts in July, the 24-year-old has averaged 6.8 strikeouts over six starts in August. His ERA reflects this improvement, as it now sits at 1.41 for the month.