MLB Player News

The Marlins plan to reinstate Alcantara from the COVID-19 injured list Sunday, when he'll start the team's series finale against the Rays, Joe Frisaro of MLB.com reports.

Alcantara was one of 18 Marlins players to test positive for the coronavirus earlier this month, but after being cleared to report to the team's alternate training site to resume workouts a couple weeks ago, he's ready to reclaim his spot in the rotation. The right-hander's lone start this season came on Opening Day versus the Phillies, when he tossed 6.2 innings and gave up two runs while striking out seven. Due to his month-long layoff, Alcantara will likely have his pitch count capped Sunday, limiting his upside in DFS contests.

Matz reportedly experienced some left shoulder discomfort during the first game of Saturday's doubleheader with the Yankees and is probably headed to the injured list, Tim Healey of Newsday reports.

Matz relieved Robert Gsellman in the bottom half of the fifth and pitched a 1-2-3 inning while striking out two batters. Mets manager Luis Rojas claims Matz "didn't feel right" despite an efficient outing. Matz will most likely officially move to the injured list either Saturday or Sunday.

Mejia was optioned to the Marlins' alternate training site Saturday.

Mejia has made three starts for the Marlins this year, posting a 5.40 ERA and 1.90 WHIP over 10 innings as he was charged with losses in his past two outings. However, he'll return to alternate camp after Robert Dugger (undisclosed) was activated from the injured list in a corresponding move.

Manager Mike Shildt said Saturday that Oviedo will join the Cardinals' starting rotation in the near future, Anne Rogers of MLB.com reports.

Daniel Ponce de Leon was optioned to the Cardinals' alternate training site Saturday, so Oviedo will claim his spot in the rotation for now. Oviedo has made two starts for the Cardinals to begin the season, and he allowed four runs on six hits and four walks while striking out five over 10 innings. He should take the mound on the road Wednesday against the Reds.

Kaminsky was recalled from the Cardinals' alternate training site Saturday.

Kaminsky tossed two clean innings during his first stint in the majors, and he'll rejoin the team's pitching staff as part of a string of transactions. The southpaw should pitch mainly in lower-leverage situations.

Rasmussen threw two scoreless innings and finished Friday's 9-1 victory over the Pirates. He did not allow a hit, struck out two and walked one.

Rasmussen was tagged for two earned runs over 1.1 innings in an Aug. 22 loss to the Pirates, but he has sandwiched scoreless two-inning outings around that since earning his first trip to the big leagues. The Brewers have used Rasmussen only in mop-up duty thus far, but he is finding his footing in the bullpen and bringing the heat, averaging 97.9 mph on his fastball -- a mark that ranks in the top 10 in the league.

May didn't factor into the decision in Friday's 6-2 loss to the Rangers, allowing two runs on five hits and two walks over six innings. He struck out three.

Despite turning in his third quality start of the season, the right-hander was on the hook for his second loss until the Dodgers got their only offense of the night in the top of the seventh inning. May continues to have trouble putting away hitters, posting a 23:9 K:BB through 35 innings, and as a result his 2.83 ERA could be due for some regression towards his 4.18 FIP. The 22-year-old is next scheduled to take the mound Thursday, at home against the Diamondbacks.

Wheeler did not factor into the decision in Friday's 7-4 win over Atlanta, allowing two runs on six hits and a walk while striking out three over 5.2 innings.

Wheeler had another solid performance wasted by his bullpen Friday, but the right-hander still remains one of the most consistent starting pitchers in the league. He has lasted at least 5.2 innings in all six of his starts and is 3-0 with an excellent 2.58 ERA this year. Wheeler's next start is scheduled for Wednesday against the Nationals.

Sanchez did not allow a run but gave up six hits while walking a batter and striking out 10 across seven innings in a no-decision against the Ray on Friday.

The Marlins didn't win on the scoresheet but should still feel excited that they have Sanchez on their team. In just the second start of his career, the right-handed phenom recorded 10 strikeouts, but the Marlins offense went cold Friday and was unable to provide any run support. The Marlins are expected to have Sandy Alcantara and Caleb Smith available again soon, but Sanchez likely won't be bumped from the rotation. He is set for a rematch against the Rays next Friday.

Anderson (1-2) was tagged with the loss Friday against the Diamondbacks. He gave up seven runs on nine hits and three walks while fanning three across 4.2 innings.

Anderson was coming off a complete game against Arizona in his previous start and had allowed two or fewer runs in five of his first seven starts of the season, but he crumbled early in this game and didn't find a way to turn things around. It seems the complete game of Aug. 22 might be an outlier instead of the norm going forward for the 30-year-old lefty, as he has now given up four or more runs in three of his last four starts.