MLB Player News

The Braves optioned Muller to Triple-A Gwinnett following Saturday's game against the Marlins.

The lefty has been decent, giving up no more than three runs in any of his three starts this season. Muller has a 3.45 ERA through 15.2 innings pitched, but apparently the Braves felt a greater need for a position player in Orlando Arcia, whom they recalled in a corresponding move.

Muller (1-2) took the loss Saturday as Atlanta fell 3-2 to the Marlins. He gave up three runs on four hits and four walks over 5.2 innings and struck out seven.

The young southpaw came just short of recording his first career quality start, getting the hook after 102 pitches (60 strikes) when he issued a two-out walk to Jesus Sanchez in the sixth inning. Muller has provided the Atlanta rotation with a shot in the arm since his mid-June promotion, posting a 2.45 ERA, 0.89 WHIP and 19:8 K:BB through 14.2 innings over his first three big-league starts.

Alcantara (5-7) picked up the win Saturday, allowing one unearned run on five hits and four walks over six innings in a 3-2 victory over Atlanta. He struck out four.

The right-hander battled his control and threw 62 of 99 pitches for strikes, but Alcantara compensated by giving up little hard contact as all five Atlanta hits were singles. The quality start was his 13th in 18 trips to the mound, and he'll take a 2.96 ERA, 1.09 WHIP and 97:33 K:BB through 112.2 innings into his next outing.

Kershaw completed four innings against Washington on Saturday, allowing three runs on three hits and one walk while striking out three. He did not factor in the decision.

The left-hander threw only 54 pitches in the outing and would have almost certainly gone deeper into the game if not for a rain delay that lasted an hour and 44 minutes. Before exiting, Kershaw breezed through three innings but served up a three-run homer to Yan Gomes in the fourth that temporarily tied the contest. Kershaw entered the game having thrown at least six innings in each of his previous nine starts, and he had racked up 78 strikeouts over 57.2 innings during that stretch. He'll make his final start before the All-Star break at Miami next week.

Darvish (7-3) allowed four runs on six hits and a walk over six innings in a loss to Philadelphia on Saturday. He fanned eight.

Darvish was hurt by the long ball in the second inning, giving up solo homers to Bryce Harper and Rhys Hoskins to open the scoring. Those same two got to Darvish again in the sixth, with Harper breaking a 2-2 tie on a sac fly and Hoskins following up with a run-scoring double. Darvish has allowed four earned runs in four of his last seven starts, but he still owns a sparkling 2.65 ERA and 0.95 WHIP in 17 outings overall. He'll take a National League-leading 123 strikeouts into his next scheduled start next week versus the Nationals.

Suarez pitched a clean ninth inning with one strikeout to earn the save Saturday against the Padres.

Suarez was tasked with nailing down a 4-2 lead and was able to retire Fernando Tatis, Jake Cronenworth and Manny Machado in order. It was the first major-league save for the 25-year-old Suarez, who has been a bright spot in a disastrous Philadelphia bullpen. He's 4-2 in 19 appearances with a 0.85 ERA and 0.69 WHIP while logging a 29:8 K:BB over 31.2 innings. The Phillies are desperate for stability in the late innings, and Suarez likely earned himself another opportunity the next time a save chance presents itself.

Eflin (3-6) earned the win after allowing two runs on three hits and two walks over six innings Saturday against the Padres. He struck out a pair.

Eflin registered his first victory since May 7, settling in nicely after allowing a two-run Manny Machado homer in the first inning. The right-hander allowed just one hit the rest of the way before giving way to the bullpen after the sixth. Eflin has turned in back-to-back quality starts, allowing three earned runs in 12 innings across those two outings. In 16 starts overall this season, Eflin owns a serviceable 4.13 ERA and 1.23 WHIP with an 89:13 K:BB in 96 innings. He's lined up to face the Cubs in his next start.

Mahle didn't factor into the decision in Saturday's 3-2 win over the Cubs, giving up two runs (one earned) on five hits and four walks over five innings. He struck out seven.

The right-hander was far from efficient, tossing 59 of 102 pitches for strikes, and he exited the game with the score tied 2-2. Mahle remains a strong source of strikeouts, fanning at least six batters in seven straight starts, and he'll take a 3.63 ERA and 112:31 K:BB through 89.1 innings into his next outing.

Webb (shoulder) will throw 45 pitches for Triple-A Sacramento on Tuesday, Susan Slusser of the San Francisco Chronicle reports.

Webb threw two innings during his first rehab start Thursday and allowed one run on a hit and a walk while striking out one in two innings. The right-hander threw 26 pitches in his first rehab appearance, and he'll ramp up his workload Tuesday. The Giants want to see Webb work as both a starter and reliever during his rehab stint, but it's not yet clear whether Tuesday's outing will be as a starter or out of the bullpen.

Gallen was placed on the 10-day injured list with a right hamstring strain Saturday.

Gallen was removed from Friday's start against the Giants in the top of the third inning due to the hamstring issue. The right-hander described the grade of his strain as "very mild" and said that he wasn't in any pain Saturday, Zach Buchanan of The Athletic reports. However, he'll now miss his final start prior to the All-Star break following his placement on the injured list. The Diamondbacks haven't provided a timetable for Gallen's return, but he could have a fairly brief stay on the IL if he remains without pain.