MLB Player News

Walker (7-3) allowed two runs on two hits and two walks over 5.2 innings in a win over the Yankees on Saturday. He also had five strikeouts.

Walker was working on a no-hitter in the sixth inning until Aaron Judge took him deep to center field with one out. He departed the game two batters later having already thrown 106 pitches, but left with a plenty-comfortable 8-2 lead. Walker has been one of the top free-agent signings of the 2021 season, holding opponents to three runs or fewer in 13 of his 15 starts while posting a 2.44 ERA that ranks 10th in the National League. He's lined up to make his next start against the Pirates next week.

Manager Jayce Tingler is confident that Snell (COVID-19 injured list) will be able to start Sunday's game against the Phillies, Jeff Sanders of The San Diego Union-Tribune reports.

Snell was scratched from his scheduled start Tuesday due to an illness and was placed on the COVID-19 IL as a precautionary move. The southpaw never tested positive for the virus and is fully vaccinated, so he was cleared to rejoin the team Thursday and played catch that day. It appears as though Snell should be able to rejoin the rotation for Sunday's series finale in Philadelphia.

The Cardinals transferred Flaherty (oblique) to the 60-day injured list Friday.

Despite recent optimism that Flaherty could return around the All-Star break, he'll now be sidelined until at least the start of August with his strained left oblique. A more specific timeline for the righty's return should become clear as he continues his throwing program in the coming weeks.

Freeland (hamstring) will stay on turn in the Colorado rotation to start Saturday's game against the Cardinals at Coors Field, Thomas Harding of MLB.com reports.

The Rockies will have Triple-A Albuquerque pitcher Jose Mujica on standby as a member of the taxi squad to make a spot start if Freeland incurs a setback leading up to the 9:10 pm ET opening pitch, but the team's medical staff appears confident in the health of the southpaw's left hamstring. Freeland, who exited his last start Monday against the Pirates due to hamstring cramping, was able to complete a bullpen session Thursday without incident.

Eflin (illness) is starting Saturday's game against the Padres.

Eflin was initially slated to start Thursday against the Marlins, but he received a few extra days of rest since he was dealing with congestion and body aches. The right-hander has posted a 4.50 ERA and 1.45 WHIP in 22 innings across his last four appearances.

Brubaker (4-8) was tagged with the loss Friday against the Brewers after allowing five runs on six hits (including three home runs) and a walk while fanning six across six innings.

Brubaker has been struggling in recent weeks and the long ball has been an issue for the right-hander -- this was the second time he allowed three homers in a start. He has given up six long balls over his last three appearances. Plus, he's gone winless in his last five starts and has posted a 0-4 record with a 4.76 ERA during that five-game span. His next chance comes next week against the Mets on the road.

Houser (5-5) earned the win Friday against Pittsburgh after tossing 6.2 innings of one-run ball, allowing four hits and two walks while fanning five.

Houser delivered his first quality start since May 8 in what was one of his strongest performances of the entire campaign, as he pitched more than six complete innings for the first time in 2021. He has been pitching at a high level of late, though, with two or fewer runs allowed in five of his last seven appearances. Even though there's been a few bumps on the road at times, Houser is undefeated in that seven-game stretch -- a span in which he's gone 2-0 with a 3.26 ERA and a 1.29 WHIP. He's slated to pitch again next week at home against the Reds.

Carrasco (hamstring) will throw a full bullpen session Saturday, Justin Toscano of The Bergen Record reports.

Carrasco threw his first full bullpen session recently, and the team was pleased with his performance. The right-hander will have another throwing session as a result, and he could progress to facing hitters at some point if he performs well once again. Manager Luis Rojas said that the team hopes Carrasco could return from the injured list sometime in late July or early August.

Syndergaard (elbow) has been playing catch off flat ground recently, Anthony DiComo of MLB.com reports.

Syndergaard initially faced a six-week shutdown starting in late May, but he was able to pick up a ball sooner than expected and has been throwing for about a week. He was able to play catch from around 75 feet at Yankee Stadium on Saturday. The right-hander could resume mound work in the coming weeks, and manager Luis Rojas said Saturday that the team is still targeting a return around Sept. 1.

Peterson was diagnosed with an oblique strain Saturday, Tim Britton of The Athletic reports.

Peterson was placed on the 10-day injured list with what was initially described as right side soreness, but he's apparently dealing with an oblique issue. Manager Luis Rojas said that the severity is between Grade 1 and Grade 2, and the injury typically carries a recovery timetable of up to eight weeks. While the team's medical staff is optimistic that Peterson could return sooner than that, he'll likely miss extended time due to the injury.