MLB Player News

Eflin (2-6) allowed seven runs (six earned) on nine hits over five innings Sunday, striking out six and taking a loss against the Giants.

Eflin was tagged with nine hits, tied for his second-most in a start this season, but all six earned runs came via the long ball. He served up a pair of homers in the first and another in each of the third and fifth innings. The 27-year-old's ERA jumped to 4.39, and he possesses an 83:10 K:BB over 84 innings. Eflin had allowed just three homers over his previous five outings. He's lined up to face the Mets on the road next weekend.

Kim (1-5) lost Game 2 of Sunday's doubleheader 1-0 to Atlanta, going four innings and allowing one run on three hits and a walk with two strikeouts.

Kim only threw 47 pitches and made one mistake to Ronald Acuna that ended up costing the Cardinals the game, as they failed to put any runs on the board. Kim has allowed four runs or less in all 11 starts but is averaging less than five innings per turn, which severely limits his upside.

Wainwright (5-5) allowed a run on three hits and three walks while striking out 11 in seven innings to earn the win in Game 1 of Sunday's doubleheader versus Atlanta.

Wainwright stepped up and saved the bullpen with a dominant outing, which counted as his fourth straight quality start. It was also his second complete game of the year. The right-hander has a 3.74 ERA, 1.12 WHIP and 84:25 K:BB across 86.2 innings this season. The 39-year-old lines up for a favorable home start versus Pittsburgh next week.

Smyly (4-3) won Game 2 of Sunday's 1-0 doubleheader against St. Louis, going 5.2 innings and allowing no runs on one hit and three walks with five strikeouts.

Smyly was excellent in this one and submitted his longest start in over a month, blanking a solid Cardinals team in the process. It was only Smyly's third start allowing zero or one run in 12 turns, though he's been decent since May aside from one blow-up outing. His upside is limited by his inability to pitch deep into games, though Smyly remains a decent streaming option.

Lauer allowed three runs on five hits and a walk over five innings in Sunday's win over the Rockies. He struck out five and did not factor in the decision.

Lauer actually cruised through five shutout innings before a disastrous start to the sixth. He gave up three straight hits, including back-to-back homers by Yonathan Daza and Trevor Story, before he was lifted from the contest. The 26-year-old southpaw maintained his 1-3 record while his ERA bumped up to 5.21. He's given up 16 runs in as many innings over his last four outings. If he gets another turn in the rotation, Lauer could face Colorado again, this time at home, next weekend.

Corbin (5-5) allowed two runs on four hits and one walk while striking out seven in six innings to earn the win against the Mets on Sunday.

Corbin gave up a home run in the second and seventh innings Sunday, but he got enough run support from the Nationals and picked up his second consecutive win as a result. The southpaw has posted a 5.40 ERA and 1.41 WHIP in 76.2 innings this year. He tentatively lines up to make his next start on the road against Miami on Saturday.

Rutledge (shoulder) has resumed a rehab program at the Nationals' spring training facility in Florida after being placed on the 7-day injured list at High-A Wilmington on June 2, Maria Torres of The Athletic reports.

The Nationals aren't viewing Rutledge's right shoulder injury as a major concern, but because the 22-year-old is one of the more prized pitching prospects in the organization, he'll be brought along slowly in his recovery. Rutledge made four starts for Wilmington before landing on the shelf, posting a 12.66 ERA and 2.55 WHIP across 10.2 innings.

Walker (6-3) allowed four runs on 10 hits and no walks while striking out five in 6.1 innings to take the loss against the Nationals on Sunday.

Walker had earned wins in each of his last two outings and struck out 21 batters in 14 innings during that time, but he was unable to keep his success going Sunday. He gave up three home runs to Kyle Schwarber prior to his removal, and the right-hander has now posted a 2.42 ERA and 1.05 WHIP in 74.1 innings across 13 starts this year. Walker tentatively lines up to make his next start at home against the Phillies on Saturday.

Gonsolin dealt with shoulder soreness after his last start and therefore wasn't pushed in Sunday's start against the Diamondbacks, Fabian Ardaya of The Athletic reports.

Gonsolin allowed one run on three hits and no walks while striking out two in 3.2 innings Sunday but didn't factor into the decision. Manager Dave Roberts said after the game that he wanted to limit the right-hander's workload since he displayed decreased velocity due to his shoulder soreness Sunday. Roberts said that the team has been managing the issue, and Gonsolin tentatively lines up to start at home against the Cubs on Friday if he's healthy enough to pitch.

Toussaint (shoulder) shifted his rehab assignment to Double-A Mississippi on Sunday, covering 3.2 innings while giving up two runs on one hit and two walks and striking out four.

The right-hander, who turned 25 years old Sunday, was making his second rehab appearance after having previously tossed three innings for High-A Rome on Tuesday. Toussaint built his pitch count up to 53 on Sunday, but Atlanta will likely want to see him reach the 75-to-100 range before he's viewed as a viable option for the big-league rotation. Atlanta may not have a spot on the active roster available for Toussaint once he's deemed ready to return from the 60-day injured list, so he could end up filling a starting role at Triple-A Gwinnett.