MLB Player News

Wheeler (shoulder) threw a 30-pitch simulated game Tuesday and feels ready to return from the 10-day injured list, Tim Britton of The Athletic reports.

Wheeler stated Tuesday that he's ready to return as soon as possible, though the Mets still haven't announced when the right-hander's next start will come. He's targeting a Friday return and would be on a 75-to-80 pitch limit if he is cleared to take the mound in New York's series opener with the Pirates.

Reyes cleared waivers and was outrighted to Triple-A Louisville on Tuesday.

Reyes was designated for assignment by the Reds on Thursday, and after going unclaimed on waivers, he'll head back to Triple-A. He's accrued a 5.66 ERA and 1.61 WHIP with a 42:31 K:BB over 47.2 innings this season with the Bats.

Wacha allowed an earned run on three hits and a walk over three innings in an extra-inning win over the Pirates on Monday. He recorded a strikeout and didn't factor into the decision.

Wacha was the second pitcher in Monday, following starter Daniel Ponce de Leon's own three-inning stint on the mound. The right-hander mostly held down the fort while firing 45 pitches overall, and he's now generated a pair of solid outings since returning to a relief role following resumption of play after the All-Star break. Wacha had wrapped up June with back-to-back quality starts, but a July 4 turn against the Mariners that saw him allow four earned runs over 3.1 innings presumably played a role in his return to the bullpen for the time being.

Wood (back) tossed six innings and gave up a run on four hits and no walks while striking out four Monday in a rehab start for Double-A Chattanooga.

Wood upped his pitch count to 85 in his fourth rehab outing and looks to be on the doorstep of reinstatement from the 60-day injured list. Over his four starts in the minors, Wood has covered 11.1 innings in total, giving up five runs (four earned) and posting an 11:2 K:BB. With Tyler Mahle (hamstring) on the mend, Wood could have a spot in the Cincinnati rotation waiting for him if the Reds elect to activate him this weekend or early next week.

Syndergaard hasn't allowed a hit on any of the 47 sliders he's thrown over his last two starts, generating 16 swinging strikes (34.0 percent) with the pitch, Tim Britton of The Athletic reports.

Thor's slider lost its effectiveness early in the year -- hitters connected on five homers against it in the first half, after Syndergaard had only ever served up one home run on a slider in his entire career coming into 2019 -- but interim pitching coach Phil Regan suggested a mechanical tweak that restored the pitch's movement and velocity. "In Miami [on July 13], he told me it was the best slider he'd had all year," Regan said. "He's got a lot of confidence where he's staying up on top of it now and commanding the ball. You can throw bad sliders as long as you command them down and away and make sure you get the location. His has been pretty sharp lately." Syndergaard's 4.36 ERA and 8.9 K/9 so far this year are the worst marks of his career, but with his slider back as a putaway pitch, the right-hander could be headed for a much more impressive second half.

Ray (9-6) picked up the win against the Orioles on Monday, giving up three earned runs on eight hits over six innings, striking out 10, and walking one in a 6-3 victory for the Diamondbacks.

Ray tossed a quality start for the third time in his last four outings, while also racking up double-digit strikeouts for the fourth time this season. Ray's 3.95 ERA and 1.31 WHIP aren't especially impressive, but the left-hander has once again proven to be a solid source of strikeouts, as he's now fanned 162 batters in 123 innings, putting him on track to surpass his career high of 218 if he can maintain his current pace.

Martinez allowed one run on three hits during the 10th inning while earning his ninth save of the season in a 6-5 victory against the Pirates on Monday.

It looked like the Cardinals weren't going to have to use Martinez in this one after they took a four-run lead in the top of the 10th following a grand slam, but the Pirates mounted a furious comeback in the bottom of the frame. Martinez yielded three hits and really only got one batter out -- the Pirates committed an out on a sacrifice bunt attempt and another on a runner thrown out at the plate. Martinez allowed a homer on the first pitch he threw too, but it still goes down as a save. He owns a 2-1 record and is 9-for-11 in save chances with a 3.86 ERA, 1.32 WHIP and 26 strikeouts in 25.2 innings this season.

Williams allowed two runs (one earned) on five hits with two walks and seven strikeouts across five innings during a no-decision against the Cardinals on Monday.

Despite lasting only five innings, Williams appeared to return to form -- no less, just days after coming down with a nasty flu bug. Coming into Monday, Williams owned a 9.53 ERA over four starts since returning from the injured list on June 19. But in this start, he gave up just one earned run on a solo shot, and he pitched around three errors, yielding only one unearned run. Overall, Williams is still 3-3 with a 4.96 ERA, 1.36 WHIP and 68 strikeouts in 81.2 innings. He will pitch again at the Mets on Saturday.

Anderson gave up two runs on seven hits and two walks while striking out six through 5.2 innings in a no-decision against the Reds on Monday.

Anderson quieted the Reds through four scoreless innings before running into trouble, allowing a run in each of his last two frames. Although his overall numbers aren't impressive, Anderson is on a nice hot streak and posted a 2.45 ERA with an 0.86 WHIP in his last five starts coming into this game. Anderson will make his next start Sunday against the Cubs at Miller Park.

Gray gave up one run on four hits and two walks while striking out seven through six innings in a no-decision against the Brewers on Monday.

Gray was stellar again, racking up 22 called strikes on his way to a quality start. In the three starts coming into this game, Gray had a 2-0 record with a 1.96 ERA, and he has allowed three earned runs or fewer in 18 of his 20 starts. The 29-year-old has a 28.6 K% and a 3.29 ERA this season. Gray will make his next start Sunday against the Rockies at Great American Ball Park.