MLB Player News

Velasquez (3-2) earned the win Tuesday after holding the Marlins scoreless across seven frames. He allowed two hits and no walks while striking out seven.

After lasting less than six innings in each of his last five starts, Velasquez turned in his longest outing of the season against Miami. The right-hander displayed brilliant command by issuing no free passes while collecting a season-high-tying seven punchouts. Although his 4.22 ERA and 1.28 WHIP aren't the stuff fantasy championships are made of, those are actually some of the best ratios of Velasquez's career. The 29-year-old will look to remain in the win column during his next projected start at home Sunday against San Diego.

Morton allowed three earned runs on five hits and one walk while striking out seven across six innings Tuesday against the Mets. He did not factor into the decision.

Morton held the Mets scoreless through six innings, but he opened the seventh inning by allowing a single, a walk and then a three-run home run to spoil his otherwise stellar outing. Despite the disappointing conclusion, Morton continued his strong form of late, as he's still surrendered only three earned runs across his last three starts (20.2 innings). Overall, Morton has a 3.74 ERA with a 100:29 K:BB across 86.2 frames.

Megill allowed three earned runs on five hits and two walks while striking out eight across five innings Tuesday against Atlanta. He did not factor into the decision.

The outing marked Megill's second big-league start, and he went deeper this time while showing more swing-and-miss stuff. He racked up an impressive 14 swinging strikes on 85 total pitches, doubling his strikeout total from his major-league debut. The only major damage against him was a three-run homer by Ozzie Albies. Through 9.1 innings, he's now allowed five earned runs while posting a 12:4 K:BB.

Ashby had his contract selected by the Brewers on Tuesday, Jeff Passan of ESPN.com reports.

The young left-hander was shifted to the bullpen at Triple-A Nashville in early June, and he'll join the Brewers despite posting a 8.71 ERA, 2.03 WHIP and 17:7 K:BB across 10.1 innings (six appearances) as a reliever. Ashby was pitching well as a starter prior to the move with a 2.93 ERA over 27.2 innings, but Milwaukee has apparently seen enough to give him a look in the majors. The 23-year-old is the organization's top pitching prospect and is still viewed as a starter long term, but for now he'll join the big-league club as a bullpen piece and could be in the mix Wednesday versus the Cubs with the Brewers expected to employ a bullpen day.

The Mets designated Eickhoff for assignment Tuesday, Mike Puma of the New York Post reports.

The righty gets demoted a day after the Nationals tagged him for eight hits, four of which were home runs, over six innings. Combined with his June 21 start, Eickhoff posted a 4.50 ERA in 10 innings with the Mets, striking out six and walking four. Thomas Szapucki was recalled Tuesday to replace Eickhoff on the roster.

Fried (finger) has fully recovered from the blister that landed him on the 10-day injured list, David O'Brien of The Athletic reports.

The lefty's index finger has no sign of the blister as he prepares to be activated and start Wednesday's game against the Mets. Early-season struggles are largely responsible for Fried's 4.21 ERA, as he's recorded a quality start in six of his last seven outings. Apart from the higher ERA, he's posted very similar numbers to his superb 2020 campaign through 11 starts.

Snell has been scratched from his Tuesday start against the Reds because of illness. Craig Stammen will start in his place.

Per Jeff Sanders of The San Diego Union-Tribune, manager Jayce Tingler said Snell is dehydrated and dealing with "stomach stuff." It's not clear at this point if the left-hander could be an option to start later during the series in Cincinnati. Stammen figures to be the first of multiple relievers to pitch in what figures to be a bullpen game for the Padres on Tuesday.

Strasburg (neck) threw a 40-pitch bullpen session Tuesday, Mark Zuckerman of MASNSports.com reports.

That the veteran righty has now thrown two bullpen sessions in three days is a promising sign, but he remains a long way from returning to the Nationals. He still needs to progress to facing live hitters and then complete a rehab assignment before being activated from the 10-day injured list.

Sanchez (shoulder) continues to throw from 120 feet, Christina De Nicola of MLB.com reports.

One week after the righty extended his throwing to 120 feet, he doesn't appear to have made any further progress, at least in terms of throwing distance, as he works his way back from right shoulder inflammation. At this pace, Sanchez may not be ready to return until after the currently indecisive Marlins choose whether to be sellers at the trade deadline. The team figures to be careful with timing Sanchez's return, but especially so if they're not contenders later in the summer.

Falter struck out six while allowing a run on two hits and a walk over four innings of relief Monday in the Phillies' 12-4 loss to the Reds.

For the second time in his four appearances since receiving a call-up from Triple-A Lehigh Valley on June 14, Falter worked as a bulk reliever behind starter Spencer Howard. The 24-year-old lefty was once again the more effective pitcher of the two, as Howard gave up two runs on four hits and two walks over 2.1 innings before giving way to Falter. Though Falter appeared on track to earn his first big-league win after departing with the Phillies up 4-2, reliever Neftali Feliz squandered the lead when he served up a grand slam to Nick Castellanos. Falter could be used as a piggyback reliever once again Saturday in San Diego, when Matt Moore will make a second turn through the rotation.