MLB Player News

Nola allowed one hit and no walks while striking out seven across four scoreless innings Tuesday against the Dodgers. He did not factor into the decision.

Nola matched Max Scherzer in a pitchers' duel early in the game. However, his start was cut short by a lengthy rain delay. Even so, Nola got in enough work to show that he was in for a bounce-back effort after surrendering five earned runs across five innings in his last outing. Despite that stumble, Nola has allowed two or fewer earned runs in three of his last four starts after he struggled for the majority of a seven-start stretch from early June to late July. He'll look to stay on track to close the season and improve on his 4.35 ERA across 130.1 innings on the campaign.

Gray allowed two earned runs on three hits and three balls while striking out eight across five innings in the loss to Atlanta on Tuesday. He did not factor into the decision.

Despite not getting the win, Gray was able to fan eight. His only damage came on a two-run homer by Adam Duvall in the fourth inning. The 31-year-old carries a strong 11.6 K/9 in 86 innings. He has a 4.40 ERA and a 1.38 WHIP this season. His next start is scheduled for Sunday in Philadelphia.

Smyly (8-3) allowed two earned runs on two hits and two walks while striking out seven across six innings, earning the win over the Reds on Tuesday.

Smyly allowed just four baserunners through six innings. The only damage against him came on a two-run homer by Aristides Aquino in the second inning. It was Smyly's first quality outing since June 25, but he hasn't lost in his last 12 starts. The 32-year-old carries a 4.41 ERA and 1.36 WHIP with 92 strikeouts in 102 innings. His next start is scheduled for Sunday in Washington.

Hill will start Thursday against the Nationals rather than Wednesday as previously expected, Justin Toscano of The Bergen Record reports.

The Mets are opting to swap Hill and Stroman's start days in order to keep the latter on normal rest. The shuffle sets Hill up to take the ball on six days of rest after he allowed just one unearned run across five innings in his previous outing against Miami.

GM Zack Scott said Tuesday "it would be a good thing" for the Mets to get Syndergaard (elbow) "back in September in a role where he can help the club in relief," Anthony DiComo of MLB.com reports.

Scott indicated in late July a relief role could be on tap for Syndergaard as he makes his return from Tommy John surgery, and the general manager strengthened that stance Tuesday. The right-hander has recently been throwing bullpen sessions, and returning as a reliever would shorten his rehab program compared to the buildup necessary for a starting role.

Stroman will start Wednesday against the Nationals rather than Thursday as previously scheduled, Justin Toscano of The Bergen Record reports.

Rich Hill was previously slated to toe the rubber Wednesday, but he will now swap starting spots with Stroman in order to keep the latter on a normal four days of rest. Stroman last pitched Friday, allowing two runs on five hits in a loss to the Phillies.

Manager Joe Girardi said that Eflin (knee) threw a light bullpen session Monday, Scott Lauber of The Philadelphia Inquirer reports.

Eflin last threw a bullpen July 25, but he did not come out of the session feeling well. His return to mound work is a positive step in the right direction, but the right-hander still remains without a concrete return timeline. With that in mind, Eflin could have an outside chance of rejoining the Phillies' rotation by the end of August, though a September activation appears more likely at this point.

Mikolas (forearm) will make at least one more rehab start, Katie Woo of The Athletic reports.

Mikolas has already made four rehab appearances, but his last one went so poorly that it's no surprise he'll require one more. In 5.2 innings for Double-A Springfield on Sunday, he allowed seven runs on 11 hits, three of which cleared the fence. While that was a poor performance, he doesn't appear to have suffered any setbacks, so he should get back into game action soon.

Kim (elbow) doesn't have anything structurally wrong with his left elbow, Katie Woo of The Athletic reports.

Elbow issues are always a worry for any pitcher, but Kim's current issue doesn't appear particularly serious. He hit the injured list after recovering poorly from his latest start and doesn't have a clear return timeline, but it doesn't look as though he's in for an extended absence.

Steele (2-1) took the loss in the first game of Tuesday's doubleheader against the Brewers, giving up three runs on five hits and a walk over five innings as the Cubs fell 4-2. He struck out one.

The 26-year-old southpaw held Milwaukee in check for three innings in his first start in the majors, but a pair of homers in the fourth by Willy Adames and Avisail Garcia wound up begin the difference in the afternoon affair. Steele has only been tagged for six runs in his first 18.1 big-league innings across 12 appearances, leading to a 2.95 ERA, but they've all come on long balls. If he stays with the Cubs he'll likely return to the bullpen after this outing, but having thrown 70 pitches (43 strikes), he should be unavailable for a few days.