MLB Player News

Fried allowed four runs (three earned) on six hits and one walk over 3.2 innings while striking out three Saturday, but he didn't factor into the decision of the Braves' 6-5 win over the Marlins.

After winning his first major-league start last Sunday, the southpaw didn't acquit himself well in this go-round. Fried's setback was understandable: The 23-year-old has only made four starts above Double-A, and Atlanta is throwing him into the fire a bit. He will remain in the rebuilding Braves' six-man rotation for now, but his fantasy contributions will be limited to deeper -- chiefly NL-only -- fantasy leagues.

Anderson (9-3) allowed no runs on one hit and one walk while striking out five across five innings to earn the victory Saturday against the Cubs.

Anderson had an 11-run lead and was removed from the contest after firing just 67 pitches. He's held opponents to three or fewer earned runs in each of his starts since May 21, and with a 2.93 ERA on the season, he's been an outstanding fantasy option. He'll make his next start Friday against the Marlins.

Anderson (knee) is expected to be activated and will likely will be involved in what's expected to be a bullpen game Sunday, Nick Groke of The Denver Post reports.

Tyler Chatwood led the charge in the last bullpen game Tuesday, and this seems to be a similar setup, with Anderson expected to log time as Colorado pieces together the game with several arms. Anderson doesn't appear to be in a role that'll offer any fantasy value the rest of the season.

Strasburg will start Sunday's game against the Phillies, MLB.com reports.

After A.J. Cole made a spot start Monday against the Marlins, it wasn't known if he would pick up a second start of the week in the series finale Sunday or move back to the bullpen, but Cole's usage out of the bullpen Saturday indicates that it will be Strasburg, who started Tuesday, that gets the two-step this week. With an active streak of 26 straight scoreless innings on his ledger, Strasburg is peaking at the right time for his season-long owners, and is justifying his high price point in daily contests, too.

The Pirates have no plans to skip Cole's turn in the rotation, even as they look to add starting spots for Steven Brault and Tyler Glasnow, the Pittsburgh Tribune-Review reports.

"I think we'll exclude Cole because he hasn't shown any desire or need to do that," manager Clint Hurdle said. "It might be a benefit for each of those (other) guys, at least to have the conversation and get their thoughts." Since the All-Star break, Cole has compiled a 3.19 ERA, 1.10 WHIP and 74:20 K:BB in 73.1 innings. He continues to struggle with the long ball, allowing eight homers since the break and 27 overall in 181 innings. Prior to 2017, the righty never permitted more than 11 home runs in four seasons.

Ryu will have his next start skipped, Bill Shaikin of the Los Angeles Times reports.

Ryu bounced back Tuesday after giving up six runs during his Aug. 30 outing, but the Dodgers can afford to skip one of their six starters with an off day next Thursday. It's uncertain when Ryu will return to the rotation; depending on where he slots in, he may only make two or three starts before the end of the regular season.

Glasnow is not expected to start next week against the Brewers, Bill Brink of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette reports.

The Pirates are listing Steven Brault as Monday's starter, with Gerrit Cole moving back to Tuesday to start in place of Jameson Taillon. Glasnow has put together an excellent season with Triple-A Indianapolis and would seem deserving of a full-time rotation spot over the final few weeks, but Pittsburgh continues to hold off on bringing him back.

Marquez gave up four runs (two earned) on six hits and three walks over four innings while striking out two in a no-decision against the Dodgers on Friday.

All four runs scored in the first inning, as a DJ LeMahieu error extended the frame after a two-run homer by Justin Turner. Marquez threw 52 of 84 pitches for strikes before he left the game, but the Rockies were able to take him off the hook for his seventh loss thanks in large part to a two-run double by Raimel Tapia, who batted for Marquez in the fifth. The right-hander faces a tough task in his next outing Wednesday on the road against the Diamondbacks.

Nicasio threw 1.1 scoreless innings Friday to record his third save of the season -- and first as a Cardinal -- in a 4-1 win over the Pirates.

In his first appearance with St. Louis, Nicasio got David Freese to hit a soft comebacker to end the eighth inning and then stuck around to finish the job. The Cards' closer situation appears to be headed for a committee, with Nicasio, Tyler Lyons and Seung Hwan Oh all potentially factoring into the mix as the club tries to work its way into the NL playoff picture.

Williams (6-8) took the loss Friday against the Cardinals, giving up four runs on four hits and four walks over 4.2 innings while striking out five.

He faced the minimum six batters through the first two innings, but the wheels started to come off after Greg Garcia led off the third with a double. Williams has been alternating dominant outings with shaky ones lately, but his 4.3 BB/9 since the beginning of August suggests the latter are more likely going forward. He'll next take the mound Wednesday in Milwaukee.