MLB Player News

Anderson allowed two hits and two walks while striking out three across five scoreless innings Thursday against the Rockies. He did not factor into the decision.

Anderson got a shot in the rotation due to an injury to Drew Smyly (finger). He was effective in a tough environment, holding the Rockies scoreless at Coors Field. Anderson wasn't overpowering, but didn't allow any extra-base hits to stay out of trouble. Reports suggest Smyly won't return to the mound until at least mid-August, meaning Anderson could stick in the rotation for the time being. If that is the case, he'd line up to start next on Tuesday at Houston.

Toussaint took a no-decision during Thursday's win over the Blue Jays, striking out nine while surrendering three runs on four hits across 6.2 innings.

Making his second start of the season, Toussaint reached career highs in both innings pitched (6.2) and strikeouts (nine). The 24-year-old gave up a solo home run to Bo Bichette in the fourth frame and did not issue any walks. Despite a shaky first appearance in relief this season during which he was roughed up for six runs over 2.2 innings, Toussaint has been solid in both starts so far. Next up, he'll head to New York for a tough matchup against the Yankees.

Brubaker allowed three earned runs on four hits and two walks while striking out two across three innings Thursday against the Twins. He did not factor into the decision.

Brubaker made his first major-league start against one of the toughest lineups in the league. He scuffled immediately, surrendering a three-run home run to Miguel Sano in the first frame. He did settle in a bit from there, working two scoreless innings to close his outing. Brubaker ended his day at 52 pitches, though it was announced prior to the game that he was not expected to shoulder a full workload. He may have the chance to work a bit deeper in his next start, currently projected to come on Tuesday at St. Louis.

Freeland allowed three earned runs on eight hits and two walks while striking out two across 6.2 innings Thursday against the Giants. He did not factor into the decision.

Freeland pitched six scoreless innings despite allowing at least one runner to reach base in five of those frames. However, he ran into trouble when he was put back on the mound in the seventh inning, as he allowed three consecutive hits with two outs -- the final one being a three-run home run by Mauricio Dubon. Despite the rough ending to his outing, Freeland largely continued his effective work on the mound this season, as he now has a 2.41 ERA across 18.2 innings. He's scheduled to make his next start Tuesday against Arizona.

Manager Mike Shildt announced Thursday that Flaherty will make his next start either Sunday against the Cubs or Monday against the Pirates, Anne Rogers of MLB.com reports.

According to Rob Rains of StLSportsPage.com, the team has opted to get Flaherty another side session under his belt before starting a game for the first time in over two weeks due to the club's COVID-19 outbreak. St. Louis will go with Daniel Ponce de Leon in Friday's opener against the Cubs and Flaherty will make his second start of the campaign on either Sunday or Monday.

Quintana (thumb) threw a 35-pitch simulated game Thursday, Mark Gonzales of the Chicago Tribune reports.

Quintana has been working his way back from thumb surgery, and Thursday's throwing session was an encouraging development as he was able to utilize his entire four-pitch repertoire. The southpaw is scheduled to throw a bullpen session Saturday, and he could return to the majors shortly after if all goes well. Quintana's role once he heads back to the big leagues hasn't yet been defined. A bullpen role hasn't been ruled out, but if he indeed claims a spot in the starting rotation, Tyler Chatwood or Alec Mills could serve in a long relief role.

The Cubs optioned Steele to their alternate training site in South Bend on Thursday, Jesse Rogers of ESPN.com reports.

Steele was one of two Cubs relievers sent down to the alternate site while the team reduced its active roster from 30 to 28 men, with Rex Brothers set to join him in South Bend. The Cubs didn't use Steele out of the bullpen after he was called up Sunday.

Lucchesi will not start Friday's game against Arizona, AJ Cassavell of MLB.com reports.

Padres manager Jayce Tingler announced Wednesday that Zach Davies will be the starter for Friday's series opener against the Diamondbacks, leaving Lucchesi's spot in the rotation in question. Lucchesi has been functioning as San Diego's No. 4 starter at the beginning of the campaign, but he has struggled in his two outings, hurling a combined 5.1 innings and allowing five earned runs on 11 hits and two walks. Tingler has yet to announce rotation plans beyond Friday, so it remains to be seen whether the decision to skip Lucchesi's turn is an indication that he has been ousted from the rotation or it's simply a way to take advantage of Thursday's off day and keep the rest of the staff on regular rest.

Davies will have his next start moved up to Friday, AJ Cassavell of MLB.com reports.

Davies has been following Joey Lucchesi in the rotation, but with an off-day Thursday, the Padres have elected to skip Lucchesi's spot and roll with Davies on five days rest for Friday's series opener against Arizona. Whether the change indicates a move away from Lucchesi as a starter remains to be seen. San Diego has not yet announced its starter for Saturday, though it stands to reason that Chris Paddack will take the mound that day on regular rest.

Brubaker will make his first MLB start Thursday against the Twins.

He's been one of the team's pleasant surprises in the early going, compiling five scoreless innings with seven strikeouts in two relief outings. Brubaker was named Pittsburgh's minor league pitcher of the year in 2018, when he registered a 2.81 ERA, 1.26 WHIP and 131:44 K:BB in 154 innings. He's coming back from a forearm strain that sidelined him for most of 2019, however, making it highly likely that the organization will limit his innings.