MLB Player News

Wainwright (elbow) was activated from the 10-day disabled list ahead of Tuesday's game against the Reds.

As expected, Wainwright will rejoin the Cardinals ahead of their series opener with the Reds. The 36-year-old struggled out of the rotation prior to injuring his elbow, compiling a 5.12 ERA and 1.49 WHIP in 23 starts, so the Cards will transition him to a bullpen role for the remainder of the season. Jack Flaherty will remain in the rotation in his place.

Despaigne will start Tuesday's game against the Mets, Joe Frisaro of MLB.com reports.

The Marlins skipped Despaigne's turn through the rotation last week, with manager Don Mattingly opting to hand Vance Worley a spot start in the right-hander's stead. After Worley was blasted for eight runs (seven innings) while recording just four outs in a Sept. 14 loss to the Phillies, Mattingly will give Despaigne another look as the fifth starter, but even against a weak opponent like the Mets, the 30-year-old could be hard pressed to return value in DFS contests or as a streaming option in NL-only or deeper mixed leagues. Despaigne has submitted a 4.35 ERA and 1.50 WHIP over 39.1 innings on the season, and has posted more walks (22) than strikeouts (20).

Syndergaard (lat) may make two appearances over the rest of the season, Matt Ehalt of NorthJersey.com reports.

He felt really good following Monday's simulated game, in which he threw 39 pitches. The team will wait to see how he feels Tuesday before determining the next step, but it seems possible he could start Saturday's game against the Nationals. Unfortunately, it does not sound like Syndergaard will be treated like a traditional starting pitcher, as his pitch count likely won't allow him to go deep enough to qualify for a win, whenever he does return to the mound. It sounds like he would be allowed to make two appearances before the end of the season, with a start coming this weekend and then another one coming sometime next week.

Worley pitched three scoreless innings with four strikeouts to collect his first save of the season during Monday's win over the Mets.

Worley received a start in his previous outing Sept. 14, so his usage Monday indicates that he'll be ticketed for a bullpen role this week, with Odrisamer Despaigne likely slotting back into the rotation. Considering Worley had allowed 32 runs through just 26.1 innings over his previous eight appearances for a 10.59 ERA and 2.39 WHIP, it's unlikely that the right-hander will see much usage in high-leverage relief situations over the final couple weeks of the season.

Corbin (14-13) allowed four runs on four hits and three walks while striking out three batters through five innings to take the loss against San Diego on Monday.

The lefty had allowed a single run or fewer in seven of his past eight games, with the outlier an uncharacteristic shellacking -- eight runs allowed through 4.1 frames -- also at the hands of the Padres. Aside from the odd poor outing, 2017 has been an impressive rebound for Corbin, and he now sports a serviceable 3.42 ERA, 1.28 WHIP and 8.7 K/9 through 13 second-half games. Corbin projects to face the Marlins at Chase Field in his next start.

Kershaw (17-4) allowed four runs on four hits and a walk while striking out six batters through six innings to take the loss against Philadelphia on Monday.

Kershaw allowed a grand slam for the first time in his career to Aaron Altherr in the sixth inning, which was enough for Philadelphia to take the win. The long ball has been a bit more of a problem for Kershaw this season, as his 1.2 HR/9 is a career high. However, he's still sporting an elite 2.26 ERA, 0.93 WHIP and 10.7 K/9. There's a risk that the Dodgers choose to skip one of Kershaw's upcoming starts if they have nothing to play for, especially considering that having him healthy is critical to their postseason hopes. Kershaw lines up to make his next start at Dodger Stadium against San Francisco.

Taillon (7-7) allowed two runs on six hits and one walk across five innings to earn the loss Monday against the Brewers. He struck out four.

Taillon pitched well on the day, but a solo home run from Ryan Braun in the fourth inning and a run-scoring rally to begin the fifth were enough to sink him to his eighth loss. It was a nice bounce-back performance for the right-hander, who was shelled for six runs on 11 hits in his previous outing. Taillon will look to build on this improved effort Sunday against the Cardinals.

Melville was recalled from Triple-A El Paso on Monday.

Melville will join the Padres after being claimed off waivers from the Twins last month. He compiled a healthy 2.95 ERA and 1.15 WHIP in 76.1 Triple-A innings this season, though he struggled in his only major-league appearance, allowing five runs in 3.1 frames of work. Melville's worked mostly as a starter in the past, and it's safe to assume he'll primarily serve as a mop-up man out of the Padres' bullpen down the stretch.

Glasnow will pitch in relief Wednesday before rejoining the Pirates' rotation, Stephen J. Nesbitt of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette reports.

Glasnow struggled in his return to the rotation last week, so the club will temporarily shift him to a bullpen role before sending him back out for another start. It sounds like he'll be the first man used in relief following starter Steven Brault. He's expected to be reinserted into the rotation following Wednesday's appearance, though it's unclear when his next start will come.

Syndergaard (lat) threw a simulated game Monday, Matt Ehalt of The Record reports.

Prior to Monday, manager Terry Collins said Syndergaard needed to face live hitters again before returning to action, so if he checks out following Monday's simulated outing, his next appearance could be for the big club. Thor could return to the mound over the weekend against the Nationals, though he would likely be on a pitch count if he does so.