MLB Player News

Canning (1-7) allowed two runs on seven hits and struck out five without walking a batter over 4.2 innings to take the loss Thursday versus the Diamondbacks.

Canning's performance wasn't bad, but it wasn't good enough compared to Merrill Kelly's seven innings of one-run ball. Canning threw 48 of 74 pitches for strikes in the contest. He has bounced between starts and bulk-relief appearances lately, allowing 10 runs over 18 innings across his last five games (two starts). For the season, the right-hander has a 6.47 ERA, 1.60 WHIP and 55:30 K:BB across 55.2 innings through 13 appearances (10 starts).

Luzardo (8-4) earned the win over Cincinnati on Thursday, allowing two hits and issuing two walks while striking out 11 batters over seven scoreless innings.

Luzardo allowed only one baserunner to reach scoring position and racked up 20 whiffs en route to 11 punchouts. The left-hander completed seven frames for just the third time this season while recording his 10th quality start. Luzardo has won four of his past six outings, posting a minuscule 1.45 ERA with a 52:14 K:BB across 37.1 innings during that span. In the very likely event that he doesn't pitch again this weekend, he'll wrap up a strong first half with a 3.51 ERA, 1.22 WHIP and 136:35 K:BB across 110.1 frames spanning 19 starts. His strikeout total currently ranks fourth in the majors.

Kelly (7-8) allowed one run on three hits and three walks while striking out six over seven innings to earn the win over the Padres on Thursday.

Kelly turned in a quality start in this outing, allowing just a solo home run to Manny Machado in the second inning. This was Kelly's second win in a row, and he heads into the All-Star break having allowed just three runs over his last 12 innings. Overall, he's still at a 5.38 ERA, 1.51 WHIP and 59:38 K:BB through 93.2 innings over 16 starts this season. He's also given up 20 homers, putting him on pace to allow a career high in long balls -- his worst campaign in that regard was 2019, when he gave up 29 homers.

Peterson allowed one run on two hits across five innings and did not factor into the decision in Thursday's loss to the Orioles. He walked four and struck out two.

Peterson pitched pretty well overall Thursday but struggled with his command as he tied a season high in walks. Even with the shaky control it was still a huge step in the right direction for the lefty after being tagged for 10 runs in only 3.2 innings in his last start. Peterson will now carry a 6.45 ERA and 1.64 WHIP into the All-Star break, and he should slot into the back of Chicago's rotation once the second half kicks off, at least until the likes of Jameson Taillon (hamstring), Edward Cabrera (hamstring) and Ben Brown (neck) are able to return.

Keller (6-7) took the loss Thursday against Atlanta, allowing three runs on four hits and two walks over three innings. He struck out three.

Keller has been struggling mightily of late, posting a 7.62 ERA in his last eight starts (39 innings). The home-run ball in particular has been a problem for Keller -- he's now given up six long balls in his last four outings. The right-hander will head into the All-Star break with a 5.14 ERA, 1.33 WHIP and 77:35 K:BB across 19 starts (103.1 innings).

Elder did not factor into the decision Thursday against the Pirates, allowing four runs (three earned) on five hits and two walks across four innings. He struck out three.

Elder was hurt by the long ball again Thursday, with all four of the runs charged to the right-hander coming on three homers. Elder's now given up 22 earned runs and eight homers in 18 innings across his last four outings. He'll head into the All-Star break with a 4.12 ERA, 1.25 WHIP and 86:32 K:BB across 18 starts (102.2 innings) this season.

The Diamondbacks optioned Cabrera to Triple-A Reno on Thursday, John Gambadoro of Arizona Sports 98.7 FM reports.

After tossing five scoreless innings in his major-league debut, Cabrera has given up 11 runs with a 9:7 K:BB covering 12.2 innings over his last three starts. With Cabrera back in the minors, it appears the Diamondbacks intend to keep Brandon Pfaadt in their rotation.

The Brewers reinstated Henderson (back) from the injured list ahead of his start Thursday against the Cardinals, Todd Rosiak of the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel reports.

Henderson has been out of action since late May due to a strained back, but he was given the green light to return to the majors Thursday after giving up two runs while striking out 11 batters in 6.1 innings across two rehab outings at Triple-A Nashville. He built up to just 68 pitches during his final appearance in the minors, so he'll likely have a workload restriction in place during his first start back with the Brewers, but he still offers plenty of upside after posting a 2.74 ERA and 1.04 WHIP in 23 frames during his first five starts of the year. Garrett Stallings was optioned to Nashville in a corresponding move.

Meyer will not start Sunday's game against the Guardians as the Marlins give him extra rest heading into the All-Star break, Kevin Barral of FishonFirst.com reports.

Sunday is Meyer's turn through the rotation, but the Marlins will instead go with a bullpen game that day. Meyer is healthy but has already logged 108 innings -- he's closing in on his professional high of 115 frames -- and the club wants to be careful with his workload. The right-hander was selected to the NL All-Star team but will not pitch in the Midsummer Classic, either. Meyer finishes the first half with a 9-1 record, 2.58 ERA and 116:38 K:BB.

The Marlins recalled Gusto from Triple-A Jacksonville on Thursday.

Gusto has turned in a 5.55 ERA and 1.60 WHIP across 24.1 innings with the Marlins this season, but he'll return to Miami on Thursday to provide the big club with an additional long-relief option for its final stretch of games before the All-Star break. Zach Brzykcy was optioned to Jacksonville in a corresponding move.