MLB Player News

Strasburg (hand) completed a 31-pitch bullpen session Sunday and felt "really good," Mark Zuckerman of MASNSports.com reports.

The veteran right-hander hadn't thrown off a mound since being scratched ahead of his season debut July 25 due to a nerve issue in his pitching hand, so this is a significant step toward his return. Strasburg figures to require another session or two off the mound before being cleared for game action, so he likely won't be a serious candidate to slot back into the Washington rotation until next weekend's series with the Orioles at the earliest.

The Padres selected Eickhoff's contract from their alternate training site prior to Sunday's game against the Rockies.

He'll assume the active roster spot of first baseman Eric Hosmer (illness), who was placed on the 10-day injured list Saturday with a non-COVID-19-related illness. Though all but three of Eickhoff's previous 78 major-league appearances -- all with the Phillies -- came as a starter, the right-hander is expected to work in a long-relief role for San Diego.

The Pirates are unlikely to have a timetable regarding the injury to Keller (oblique) for several days, general manager Ben Cherington told 93.7 The Fan in Pittsburgh on Sunday.

Cherington said the team will need more time to determine the severity of Keller's injury. "It takes a couple days to get a handle on it," the general manager noted. He applauded Keller for not trying to push through the oblique injury, something that may help the righty return to action sooner than if he had continued to pitch through the pain.

Keller (side) was placed on the 10-day injured list Sunday, Rob Biertempfel of The Athletic reports.

The 24-year-old was removed from Saturday's start with left side discomfort after 2.2 innings, and he'll require a stint on the injured list. Keller doesn't have an official timetable for his return, though he'll be eligible to be activated Aug. 12.

The Reds activated DeSclafani (shoulder) from the 10-day injured list prior to his scheduled start Sunday in the first game of a doubleheader against the Tigers.

DeSclafani will slide into the rotation spot vacated by Wade Miley (groin), who landed on the IL on Thursday. Since DeSclafani is returning from a right teres major strain, the Reds could be conservative with his workload in his first start of 2020, though manager David Bell hasn't specifically said whether the right-hander will be capped at a given number of pitches.

Steele will be recalled from the alternate training site before Sunday's game against the Pirates, Patrick Mooney of The Athletic reports.

The 25-year-old struggled in 11 starts (38.2 innings) at Double-A Tennessee with a 5.59 ERA and 1.70 WHIP last season, but he'll now join the Cubs to potentially make his major-league debut. Steele is likely to be utilized in a low-leverage role.

Manager Gabe Kapler said after Saturday's 7-3 win over the Rangers that Smyly (finger) will undergo an MRI, John Shea of the San Francisco Chronicle reports.

Smyly gave up two runs on three hits and two walks while striking out seven before he was pulled while facing the first batter of the fifth inning after he experienced discomfort in his left index finger. Sunday's MRI should shed more light on the severity of Smyly's injury, but if the southpaw can't make his next scheduled turn Thursday in Colorado, the Giants could turn to Tyler Anderson, Conner Menez or Trevor Cahill for a spot start.

Keller (1-1), who left with an injury, was tagged with the loss after allowing two runs on five hits with one strikeout and one walk over 2.2 innings Saturday against the Cubs.

Keller left the outing with side discomfort and is questionable until the team announces further details regarding his status. Manager Derek Shelton said after the game he had no updates on the 24-year-old, but he hopes to have more information about Keller's status Sunday morning.

Quantrill pitched 4.1 innings versus the Rockies on Saturday, allowing three runs on four hits and two walks while striking out four. He didn't factor into the decision.

Quantrill entered the game in the second inning after Joey Lucchesi worked himself into a jam. Both of Quantrill's appearances this season have come in relief of Lucchesi -- the duo seems to be working in tandem. The right-handed Quantrill has a 4.76 ERA and five strikeouts in 5.2 innings in 2020. A starter by trade, Quantrill is capable of picking up long assignments in relief. The results so far have been mixed in a small sample.

Lucchesi (0-1) took the loss Saturday, allowing three runs on six hits and a walk while striking out three in 1.2 innings versus the Rockies.

Lucchesi gave up all three of his runs during the second inning, and reliever Cal Quantrill was summoned before it could get worse. Lucchesi has managed just 5.1 innings across his two starts, allowing five runs combined. The southpaw will need to show better control in his next start, which is expected to come Friday versus the Diamondbacks.