MLB Player News

Wainwright (9-6) allowed three runs on six hits and a walk over seven innings Sunday, striking out five and earning a win over the Twins.

Minnesota got to Wainwright early with Andrelton Simmons' two-run single in the second. He then kept them off the board until Jorge Polanco knocked a solo homer in the sixth. The veteran righty is now 6-1 over his last 10 outings, yielding 21 runs over 66 innings (2.86 ERA) during that span. Wainwright is lined up to face Kansas City at home next weekend.

Urias (13-3) earned the win in Sunday's 13-0 contest with Arizona, allowing just four hits in five innings with seven strikeouts.

Urias dominated the Snakes all game, throwing 59 of 83 pitches for strikes and permitting no more than one baserunner in any of his five innings. The 13th victory brings Urias into a tie with Kyle Hendricks for the MLB lead, and the 24-year-old has now won four straight decisions.

Phillies manager Joe Girardi said Saturday that Velasquez will move to the bullpen, Matt Gelb of The Athletic reports.

Chase Anderson will join the rotation as a replacement for Velasquez, who was pummeled for five runs over two innings in Friday's loss to Pittsburgh. Though he has a pair of shutout appearances among his last six starts, Velasquez has been blasted in each of the other four outings, giving up 24 runs in 12 innings among those starts. Velasquez will likely work mostly in mop-up spots out of the bullpen, but he could earn more high-leverage opportunities if he excels in his initial relief appearances.

Anderson is scheduled to start Wednesday's game against the Nationals, Mark Zuckerman of MASNSports.com reports.

At least temporarily, Anderson will join the rotation as a replacement for Vince Velasquez, who was moved to the bullpen Saturday after another rocky start. Anderson is unlikely to represent much of an upgrade from Velasquez, as he's been hit hard this season whether working as a starter or a long reliever. The 33-year-old right-hander has submitted a 6.75 ERA, 1.52 WHIP and 7.0 K/9 across 44 innings with Philadelphia.

Stroman (7-10) gave up four runs on eight hits and a walk while striking out four in 5.2 innings, taking the loss versus Cincinnati on Sunday.

The right-hander got through three innings without trouble, but he surrendered a solo home run to Max Schrock in the fourth. Stroman then got into a jam in the sixth, leading to a deficit too tall for the Mets to cover. The 30-year-old has taken six losses in his last nine starts. He's still pitched reasonably well, allowing 22 runs (18 earned) in 44.2 innings in that span. For the year, he owns a 2.80 ERA, 1.14 WHIP and 101:28 K:BB through 122.1 innings. Stroman lines up for a road start in Philadelphia next weekend.

Gutierrez (6-3) allowed a run on three hits and two walks with four strikeouts in seven innings, earning the win over the Mets on Sunday.

Gutierrez was effective on the mound again, turning in his fourth quality start in his last five outings. He also helped his own cause by drawing a bases-loaded walk in the sixth inning. The 25-year-old's recent strong pitching has shrunk his ERA to 4.39 despite a lackluster 1.36 WHIP and 46:30 K:BB through 67.2 innings. He projects to make his next start at home in a favorable matchup versus Pittsburgh next weekend.

Alcantara allowed two hits and a walk while striking out 10 over seven innings in a no-decision versus the Yankees on Sunday.

The 25-year-old put together a stellar performance in the series finale -- arguably his best of the year -- but Anthony Bass and Richard Bleier wasted it by combining to allow a pair of runs in the eighth inning. Alcantara lowered his ERA to 3.12 with a 1.12 WHIP and 120:39 K:BB through 132.2 innings across 22 starts. The right-hander projects for a risky start in Colorado next week.

Kershaw (forearm) played catch but won't throw a simulated game Sunday, Bill Plunkett of The Orange County Register reports.

Kershaw is dealing with some residual soreness, unrelated the the forearm issue that landed him on the shelf, from his previous simulated game Tuesday, so he isn't taking the mound Sunday as previously scheduled. The left-hander was targeting a return to the rotation next weekend, but those plans have now been disrupted. Kershaw's timeline is up in the air at this point, and manager Dave Roberts said the veteran won't throw another simulated game until he's "pain free and strong enough to go out there."

Gray was activated to the Nationals' 26-man roster Sunday and will start Monday against the Phillies, Mark Zuckerman of MASNSports.com reports.

Gray made his first MLB start July 25 for the Dodgers before being traded to the Nationals on Friday, and he'll debut for his new team Monday. The 23-year-old was one of Los Angeles' top prospects and allowed six runs on seven hits with a 13:5 K:BB in eight innings across his first two appearances in the majors.

Woodford was optioned to Triple-A Memphis on Sunday.

The 24-year-old surrendered seven runs over three innings during Saturday's start against the Twins, and he'll unsurprisingly exit the Cardinals' starting rotation with Jon Lester and J.A. Happ officially joining the team after being acquired at the trade deadline. Woodford started in his last three appearances for St. Louis but has primarily worked out of the bullpen this year and has a 5.08 ERA, 1.54 WHIP and 32:17 K:BB across 39 innings.