MLB Player News

The Brewers optioned Ashby to Triple-A Nashville on Thursday.

Ashby put the Brewers in a 7-0 hole Wednesday in his MLB debut after he failed to escape the first inning, but Milwaukee spared him a loss by scoring 15 unanswered runs. The poor outing will still result in Ashby losing his spot on the active roster, as Nashville starter Alec Bettinger was called up in a corresponding move to aid a taxed Milwaukee bullpen that covered the final 8.1 innings of Wednesday's come-from-behind win over the Cubs.

Snell (COVID-19 injured list) was cleared to rejoin the team Thursday and was spotted playing catch on the field prior to the Padres' series finale versus the Reds in Cincinnati, Kevin Acee of The San Diego Union-Tribune reports.

Snell was deactivated Wednesday after he was scratched from his scheduled start a day earlier after falling ill, but his placement on the IL appears to be precautionary more than anything. The veteran lefty is fully vaccinated and never tested positive for the virus, so he should be eligible for reinstatement from the IL in the near future. Snell tentatively lines up to rejoin the rotation Sunday against the Phillies, though the Padres could move him up a day or two in the pitching schedule if manager Jayce Tingler wants to extend some rest to the team's other four starters.

Eflin was scratched from Thursday's start against the Marlins due to congestion and body aches, Matt Breen of The Philadelphia Inquirer reports.

Eflin has tested negative for COVID-19, but he's now scheduled to start Saturday's game against the Padres so he can get some extra rest as he works through his illness. Matt Moore will start Thursday's series finale against Miami.

Lorenzen (shoulder) was sent to Triple-A Louisville to begin a rehab assignment Thursday.

Lorenzen is expected to be sidelined through the All-Star break, but his rehab assignment will allow him to build back up in what should be the final step in his rehab process. Although the right-hander competed for a rotation spot this spring, he'll serve as a reliever once he's reinstated from the injured list.

Fried (5-4) earned the win Wednesday against the Mets after allowing two runs on three hits and two walks while fanning seven across five innings.

Fried ended a streak of three straight quality starts with this performance but still looked solid in his return from the injured list, and he ended just one strikeout away from tying his season-best mark. The southpaw posted a 3.58 ERA across five starts in June and is expected to pitch again next week on the road against the Pirates.

Nola (5-5) took the loss Wednesday against the Marlins, surrendering seven runs on nine hits over 4.2 innings. He struck out 11 without walking a batter.

The right-hander seemed to have things well in hand as the Phillies took a 5-2 lead into the fifth inning, but things fell apart for Nola after he was charged with a one-out balk that sent Magneuris Sierra to second base. Even so, three of the runs on Nola's ledger scored after he'd exited the game. It's the second time in his last three outings he's coughed up at least six runs, sending his ERA soaring to 4.44, but his 118:22 K:BB through 95.1 innings on the year -- including a 23:1 mark in his last two starts -- remains impressive.

Gray (5-6) picked up the win Wednesday against the Pirates, fanning five while allowing two runs on two hits and four walks across six innings.

While the four free passes are less than ideal for the right-hander, Gray should feel good about the direction he's heading in after another strong start. The two runs he yielded in the first inning mark his only blip across 11 innings since being activated from the injured list June 25, and he now holds a respectable 3.89 ERA on the campaign. Gray lines up to take the ball Tuesday in Arizona.

Manager Joe Girardi said following Wednesday's loss to the Marlins that Suarez was not available to pitch due to back spasms, Scott Lauber of The Philadelphia Inquirer reports.

Per Matt Gelb of The Athletic, the back issues arose during pregame activities. It's not clear if the back spasms could potentially sideline Suarez past Wednesday, but the club figures to provide an update on the reliever prior to Thursday's series finale.

Gutierrez (3-3) allowed six earned runs on six hits and three walks while striking out three across 4.1 innings to take the loss Wednesday against the Padres.

Gutierrez was undone by the long ball, as he was taken yard by Wil Myers, Trent Grisham and Fernando Tatis in his short outing. His final line worsened after he was pulled, as both of his inherited runners were allowed to score. Though he's experienced some success through seven starts, Gutierrez has allowed at least one home run in five of those outings and is allowing 1.9 HR/9 overall. Due to the poor effort, Gutierrez's ERA currently sits at 4.93, and he has a poor 30:19 K:BB across 38.1 frames.

Musgrove (5-6) allowed five earned runs on four hits and three walks while striking out three across four innings to earn the win Wednesday against the Reds.

Musgrove neither pitched well nor long enough to earn the win in a traditional game, though he lucked out on both counts after the game was called in the sixth inning due to rain. He was taken yard twice in his short outing, which accounted for three of his five earned runs. While that is concerning, Musgrove has allowed multiple long balls in only four of his 16 starts this season and has limited opponents to 1.1 HR/9. Overall, he's maintained a 2.63 ERA with 106 strikeouts across 89 innings.