MLB Player News

Williams (side) has been cleared to perform light rehab exercises but has yet to initiate a throwing program, Adam Berry of MLB.com reports.

The Pirates will check back in on Williams' condition over the weekend, at which point he could be cleared to play catch off flat ground. Pittsburgh has yet to outline a concrete timeline for Williams' return from the 10-day injured list, but based on his current rehab schedule, it's probably safe at this point to rule him out through the rest of May.

Manager Craig Counsell said Anderson will start Friday's series opener against the Phillies, Tom Haudricourt of the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel reports.

Due to off days Monday and Thursday, the Brewers had the option of shortening their rotation this week, but Anderson will instead receive another turn as Counsell sticks with a five-man setup. While facing a limited pitch count in his return from the 10-day injured list last weekend in Atlanta, Anderson limited the Braves to one unearned run over four frames but issued four free passes. Even with a better showing versus the Phillies, Anderson won't be assured a rotation spot heading into next week with Jimmy Nelson (shoulder) potentially returning from the IL.

Greinke is scheduled to make his next start Monday against the Rockies in Colorado, Shaun O'Neill of MLB.com reports.

Much to the chagrin of Greinke's fantasy managers, the Diamondbacks' decision to add a fifth starter (Taylor Clarke) to their rotation Saturday in San Francisco will result in the ace missing out on a cushy two-start week. After turning in his eighth consecutive quality start in Tuesday's loss to San Diego, Greinke will now be challenged to keep that streak going when he returns to the hill at the hitters' haven that is Coors Field.

Burnes allowed two earned runs over 1.2 innings in Wednesday's victory over the Reds.

Burnes allowed zero earned runs in seven innings over five appearances between May 4-14, but the results were quite the opposite in his last two outings, over which he was tagged for nine earned runs over just 2.1 innings. Burnes' ratios this season are not pretty, and his recent numbers make it tough to include him in lineups even in deep leagues. Burnes is clearly going through a rough stretch, but he was exceptional out of the Brewers' bullpen last year, and if he can stop serving up so many home runs -- he has allowed a whopping 14 long balls over 29 innings -- he should gradually bring his 10.24 ERA back down closer to his 3.62 xFIP.

The Phillies optioned Irvin to Triple-A Lehigh Valley on Thursday, Jim Salisbury of NBC Sports Philadelphia reports.

Irvin began his MLB career with impressive showings against the Royals and Rockies, but he face planted Wednesday in Chicago, giving up seven runs on seven hits and three walks over 4.2 innings in a loss to the Cubs. The demotion doesn't necessarily mean that Irvin is officially out of the rotation, as the Phillies may have just wanted to have a fresh arm on hand out of the bullpen with a fifth starter not needed again until June 1. However, since Irvin wouldn't be eligible to return until June 2 barring the Phillies moving a player to their injured list, the team will require a replacement spot starter next week.

Fried (7-2) earned the win Wednesday against the Giants after allowing two runs on four hits and two walks while striking out five through six innings of work.

The 25-year-old ran on all cylinders at Oracle Park, tacking on an RBI in the second inning to give the Braves the first lead of the game. Pitching wise, Fried held the Giants at bay, with an RBI single by Buster Posey in the fourth and a solo shot by Tyler Austin in the sixth accounting for all of the damage against him. The lefty will carry a 2.88 ERA, 1.12 WHIP and 52:12 K:BB into a divisional matchup against the Nationals on Tuesday.

DeGrom didn't factor into the decision in Wednesday's 6-1 win over the Nationals, giving up one run on two hits and three walks over six innings while striking out eight.

In a matchup of aces, deGrom gave up a first-inning solo shot to Adam Eaton before locking down the Washington offense, but with Max Scherzer firing zeros it seemed like the Mets right-hander was headed for his sixth loss before the bullpens got involved. DeGrom will take a 3.72 ERA and 75:17 K:BB through 58 innings into his next start Monday, on the road against the Dodgers.

Hamels gave up three runs on nine hits and two walks while striking out six through four innings in a no-decision against the Phillies on Wednesday.

Hamels surrendered the three runs before the end of the third inning, but he wasn't efficient enough to make it past four innings. It was a mixed bag of results as he took 99 pitches to get 12 outs, but he also registered 18 swinging strikes. Over the last month, he has a 2-0 record with a 3.21 ERA and 45:19 K:BB. Hamels will make his next start Monday against the Astros.

Urena (2-6) picked up the win Wednesday, giving up three runs (two earned) on seven hits and two walks over six innings while striking out five as the Marlins downed the Tigers 6-3.

The right-hander delivered his third straight quality start and sixth of the season in 10 trips to the mound, but Urena seemed headed for another loss before the Marlins' bats got going in the sixth inning. He'll carry a 4.30 ERA and 39:18 K:BB through 58.2 innings into his next outing Monday, on the road against the Nats.

Irvin (2-1) gave up seven runs on seven hits and three walks while striking out six through 4.2 innings, taking the loss to the Cubs on Wednesday.

The Phillies gave Irvin an early 3-0 lead before the wheels came off as he gave up a three-run shot to Anthony Rizzo and later surrendered a grand slam to Albert Almora. He did register nine swinging strikes but allowed far too many baserunners to be successful. The 25-year-old has a 2-1 record with a 5.60 ERA and 13:5 K:BB through three starts this season. Assuming he remains in the rotation, Irvin will make his next start Tuesday against the Cardinals.