MLB Player News

Cardinals manager Mike Shildt said Flaherty (oblique) resumed playing "very light catch" Wednesday, Zachary Silver of MLB.com reports.

Previous reports have suggested that Flaherty's left oblique tear could keep him on the shelf through the All-Star break and potentially early August, but the right-hander's ability to do some light throwing just over two weeks after landing on the injured list offers some hope of a more expedient return than expected. Shildt was careful to note that Flaherty is still in the early stages of his recovery process, and the Cardinals likely won't attempt to put a formal timeline on his return until he's cleared to face hitters. In any case, the fact that Flaherty isn't being shut down entirely at this stage can be taken as a positive sign.

Contreras allowed just one run in seven innings during Double-A Altoona's win over Erie on Tuesday. He allowed two hits and one walk while striking out 10.

The right-hander has compiled a 2.03 ERA, 0.80 WHIP and 57:9 K:BB in 40 Double-A innings, keeping opponents scoreless in four of his seven starts. Contreras, who came to Pittsburgh as part of the Jameson Taillion trade, has a chance to move to Triple-A before summer's end.

Urias allowed three runs (two earned) on six hits and two walks while striking out five over 5.2 innings Tuesday against the Phillies. He did not factor into the decision.

Urias served up a solo home run to Andrew McCutchen in the second before the Phillies tacked on two more in the fifth on a pair of singles and a pair of errors. The 24-year-old also helped his own cause with an RBI double to right field in the fourth. Urias is currently tied for the MLB lead with nine wins and will take a 3.54 ERA, 1.00 WHIP and 90:13 K:BB over 84 innings into his next scheduled start against the Padres at the beginning of next week.

Eflin allowed three runs on seven hits while striking out two over five innings Tuesday against the Dodgers. He did not walk a batter nor did he factor into the decision.

Eflin gave up an early run in the first and then gave up another two in the fourth after back-to-back doubles by Zach McKinstry and Julio Urias. The 27-year-old failed to last six innings for the second time in his last three outings after going at least six in his first 10 starts of the year. He owns a pedestrian 3.99 ERA and 1.24 WHIP to go along with a 77:10 K:BB over 79 innings --- his 10 walks are the second least this season among qualified pitchers behind Jacob deGrom. Eflin is expected to take the mound again early next week against the Nationals.

Castillo didn't factor into the decision in Tuesday's 2-1 extra-inning win over the Brewers, allowing three hits and three walks over seven scoreless innings. He struck out seven.

It was one of the right-hander's best performances of the season as he threw 64 of 109 pitches for strikes, but neither team was able to put runs on the board until the 10th inning, denying Castillo a win for his efforts. It was only his third quality start of the year, but two of them have come in three June trips to the mound as he's showing signs of putting his poor first couple of months behind him. Over those three outings, Castillo has a 1.93 ERA, 0.75 WHIP and 19:7 K:BB through 18.2 innings.

Suarez (2-1) allowed one run on one hit and two walks while striking out a batter over 1.1 innings as he took the loss against the Dodgers on Tuesday.

Suarez entered with two outs in the sixth and registered a quick strikeout to get out of the inning. He came back out to face the top of the Dodger lineup and surrendered a leadoff solo home run to Mookie Betts, which broke a 3-3 tie. It was the first homer he's given up this season and the second straight outing in which he's given up a run after starting the season with 20.1 scoreless frames. He still owns an outstanding 0.79 ERA and 0.66 WHIP to go along with a 19:6 K:BB over 22.2 innings.

Anderson (3-7) was charged with the loss Tuesday at Washington after surrendering six runs on 10 hits with four strikeouts and a walk across six innings.

The 31-year-old allowed three singles to load the bases before recording an out Tuesday, and he served up a grand slam to Yan Gomes as part of a five-run frame. The lefty settled down after that by allowing just one run given up on four hits over the following five innings, but the damage was already done. Anderson has a 4.89 ERA, 1.26 WHIP and 65:20 K:BB over 73.2 innings this season, and he tentatively lines up for a tough matchup with the White Sox next week.

Corbin (4-5) earned the win Tuesday against the Pirates after giving up a run on eight hits with seven strikeouts and a walk across 8.1 innings.

It's the first time since May 13 the veteran southpaw allowed fewer than three runs as he delivered his longest start of the season while generating 14 swinging strikes on 110 pitches. Corbin has a 5.60 ERA, 1.46 WHIP and 55:27 K:BB across 70.2 innings, and he tentatively lines up to face the Mets on Sunday.

Gallen (elbow) felt good after throwing a bullpen session Tuesday, Nick Piecoro of the Arizona Republic reports.

Gallen, who threw a simulated game Saturday before Tuesday's session, is nearing a return to the majors. Manager Torey Lovullo said the team is discussing next steps for Gallen, who has been out since mid-May. The plan is likely to include a rehab assignment in the minors.

Darvish didn't factor into the decision Tuesday against the Rockies after allowing four runs on six hits and two walks while fanning five across five innings.

Pitching at Coors Field is always tough and Darvish's numbers in this outing reflected that, as he delivered one of his most inefficient outings of the season. The left-hander looked in complete control during the first three innings, but he couldn't hold on and was lifted in the sixth inning before even recording an out. The Japanese hurler saw his ERA increase to 2.57, but he continues to be one of the most reliable pitchers in the National League and should remain a strong play across all formats. He's slated to pitch again during the weekend series against the Reds at home.