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Aaron Nola SP | PHI
Phillies' Aaron Nola: Takes loss despite solid outing
Nola (12-4) was handed the loss after surrendering three runs on five hits and a walk while striking out seven over seven innings Sunday against the Marlins.
Nola tossed five scoreless frames before giving up three runs in the sixth inning, which was enough offense for the Marlins to emerge with the victory. He fired 65 of his 97 pitches for strikes in the 3-2 loss. The 26-year-old continues to turn in solid pitching performances, as he's now held the opposition to three or fewer runs in each of his last five starts.
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Merrill Kelly SP | ARI
Diamondbacks' Merrill Kelly: To remain in rotation
Kelly will remain in Arizona's starting rotation moving forward, Zach Buchanan of The Athletic reports.
Kelly's spot in the Diamondbacks' rotation was reportedly in jeopardy after he surrendered six runs over 4.1 innings Friday night against the Brewers, but after Sunday's series finale, skipper Torey Lovullo stated that Kelly's place in the rotation is safe for now. He's on track to make his next start Thursday against the Dodgers.
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Steven Matz RP | TB
Mets' Steven Matz: Dealing with finger blister
Matz (8-8) took the loss Sunday against the Braves after giving up one run on two hits with six strikeouts and one walk. He also surfaced with a left middle finger blister, Tim Britton of The Athletic reports.
Matz may have returned for the seventh inning without the blister, but he still threw 102 pitches so it's not as if he had a significantly reduced workload. He's completed six innings in each of his last four starts, as the blister apparently only causes problems on his breaking balls. According to Anthony DiComo of MLB.com, the left-hander has been battling the issue over his last few outing, so it doesn't sound as though it will impact his availability for his next turn through the rotation.
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Pablo Lopez SP | MIN
Marlins' Pablo Lopez: Returning from injured list Monday
Lopez (shoulder) will be activated from the 10-day injured list to start Monday against the Reds, Jordan McPherson of the Miami Herald reports.
Lopez tossed six innings during his final rehab start Wednesday, clearing the way for his return to the majors. The 23-year-old threw only 70 pitches in that contest, so he'll likely have a limited pitch count in his first major-league start since mid-June.
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Robbie Ray SP | SD
Diamondbacks' Robbie Ray: Activated for Sunday's start
Ray (back) was activated off the 10-day injured list to start Sunday at Milwaukee.
Ray will rejoin the Diamondbacks after spending the 10-day minimum on the shelf due to back spasms. The 27-year-old has a 4.10 ERA, 1.10 WHIP and 50:9 K:BB over 37.1 innings since the All-Star break.
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Antonio Senzatela RP | MIL
Rockies' Antonio Senzatela: Recalled for Sunday's start
Senzatela was recalled from Triple-A Albuquerque ahead of Sunday's start at St. Louis.
Senzatela has a 6.29 ERA, 1.72 WHIP and 53:45 K:BB in 18 starts this season, but he's been at Triple-A since shortly after the All-Star break. The 24-year-old struggled mightily leading up to his demotion, having allowed 21 runs in his final three outings.
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Chris Flexen RP | CHC
Mets' Chris Flexen: Sent to Triple-A
Flexen was optioned to Triple-A Syracuse on Sunday.
Flexen was promoted from Triple-A on Thursday and recorded two outs without allowing a run in his lone appearance. The 25-year-old has a 6.59 ERA, 2.05 WHIP and 13:10 K:BB in 13.2 major-league innings this season.
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Antonio Senzatela RP | MIL
Rockies' Antonio Senzatela: Slated to start Sunday's game
The Rockies plan to recall Senzatela from Triple-A Albuquerque to start Sunday's game against the Cardinals.
Senzatela will rejoin the big club for the first time in more than a month after posting a 6.29 ERA and 1.72 WHIP across 18 starts before being demoted to the Pacific Coast League on July 21. He's spent the past few weeks correcting issues with his delivery and developing his off-speed offerings, but the results at Triple-A haven't been all that promising (6.17 ERA, 1.63 WHIP in 23.1 innings). Senzatela will at least benefit by returning to action for the Rockies with a start in St. Louis rather than at hitter-friendly Coors Field.
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Chris Paddack RP | TEX
Padres' Chris Paddack: Could be shut down
Paddack may be shut down at some point this season, though the Padres are conflicted about taking such action, Kevin Acee of The San Diego Union-Tribune reports.
In light of Paddack's recent struggles, there is concern in the Padres organization that the 23-year-old is fatigued and could benefit from extended rest or a complete shutdown. However, the prevailing viewpoint indicates that Paddack may best be served by being allowed to work through his slump and make five or six more starts. The plan for now seems to be to allow him extra rest between starts and to adjust his end-of-season schedule based on how he feels. After a dominant July in which Paddack posted a 1.90 ERA in 23.2 innings, he has stumbled to a 10.06 ERA in 17 frames in August.
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Alex Wood RP | ATH
Reds' Alex Wood: Struggles in third straight outing
Wood (1-3) allowed five runs (four earned) on two hits with three walks and a strikeout across 5.1 innings while taking a loss against the Pirates on Saturday.
This was a two-run ballgame in the sixth, but things got out of hand when Wood couldn't escape the frame, and the Reds bullpen gave up a grand slam. Things snowballed for Cincinnati from there. Wood hasn't been sharp in his last four starts, resulting in three straight losses. He now owns a 6.07 ERA, 1.42 WHIP and just 22 strikeouts in 29.2 innings this season.