MLB Player News

Darvish (back) is scheduled to throw another bullpen session Thursday, Ken Gurnick of MLB.com reports.

This is encouraging news, as it appears his stay on the DL will likely be a short one. Darvish was able to complete a 32-pitch bullpen session Monday with no issues, and if all goes well in his second bullpen session Thursday, he's expected to be back with the Dodgers to make his scheduled start against the Brewers on Sunday. Brock Stewart is expected to start in his place Tuesday.

Matz is expected to be placed on the 10-day disabled list, Matt Ehalt of The Record reports.

It's unclear what Matz is dealing with at this point, but this may help explain the poor performance last week in which he conceded seven runs (six earned) in just 3.1 innings. He went to the doctor to be examined Monday, according to Mike Puma of the New York Post, and more should be known once the results of his visit are disclosed. Tommy Milone is expected to take his place in the rotation while he's sidelined, starting Tuesday against the Diamondbacks.

Reed covered seven innings for High-A Visalia on Sunday, giving up two runs on three hits and a walk while striking out 10 batters.

Since being promoted from Low-A Kane County in late May, Reed's production has taken a slight step back with Visalia, but his 3.53 ERA and 82:29 K:BB over 81.2 innings are more than respectable, considering the hitter-friendly confines of the California League. The 21-year-old lefty likely still remains a year or two away from reaching the big leagues, but his excellent size (6-foo-3, 245 pounds) and strikeout stuff give him the upside of a middle-of-the-rotation starter for the Diamondbacks down the road.

Lively tossed six innings of two-run, six-hit ball Sunday against the Giants but came away with a no-decision.

Lively, who was recently called up from Triple-A Lehigh Valley before the game, also struck out four and walked two in his eighth start of the season. It's unclear how long he'll hold down the fifth spot in the Phillies' rotation, but as it stands, he's slated to take on the Cubs at Wrigley Field on Friday.

Freeland (11-8) took the loss against the visiting Brewers on Sunday, allowing three runs on four hits while walking five and striking out seven over 5.2 innings.

While the seven strikeouts are respectable, Freeland's issuing of five free passes put him in a tough spot to come away with a victory. His ERA now sits at 3.71 to go with a 1.38 WHIP across just over 130 innings -- impressive numbers for a rookie starting pitcher who calls Coors Field home. Freeland lines up to face the Braves on the road in his next start Saturday.

Anderson (7-2) allowed one earned run on two hits across five innings of an 8-4 win over the Rockies on Sunday. He walked three and struck out four.

Anderson was making his first start since June 28 after being sidelined with an oblique injury, and he did well to hold the potent Rockies lineup in check. He now owns a solid 2.83 ERA and will look for another strong outing in his next start Friday against the Dodgers.

Hendricks allowed three runs on six hits with two walks and six strikeouts over six innings in Sunday's no-decision against the Blue Jays.

Hendricks was handed a 3-0 lead in the third inning but gave it all back by allowing one run each in the fourth, fifth and sixth innings. He still logged a sixth consecutive start with no more than three runs allowed and sports a 2.45 ERA in 33 innings over that span. Hendricks will have a great opportunity to keep that streak going in his next start, as he draws a road date with Philadelphia's 29th-ranked offense.

Castillo (2-6) allowed two runs on four hits and two walks while striking out eight batters through just four innings during Sunday's loss to Atlanta.

Castillo has now allowed three earned runs or fewer in each of his past five starts and owns a 3.45 ERA, 1.19 WHIP and 9.5 K/9 for the season. Those numbers move the needle in all fantasy settings, and the 24-year-old righty's value is on the rise. It will be difficult to rack up wins starting for the basement-dwelling Reds, but otherwise, there's a lot to like about Castillo's upside moving forward. He lines up to face the Pirates at Great American Ball Park in his next start.

DeGrom allowed five runs on 10 hits with no walks across 6.1 innings to take the loss Sunday against the Marlins. He struck out eight.

DeGrom actually pitched quite well for much of the afternoon, but he put two men on base before Giancarlo Stanton launched a three-run home run with one out in the seventh inning. He went without a walk for the second time in his last three starts while throwing 74 percent of his pitches for strikes, but he missed over the plate with regularity. DeGrom has now allowed 10 earned runs over his last 13.2 innings and will face another tough test Friday against the Nationals.

Maeda (11-5) allowed four runs on five hits over six innings and was tagged with a loss Sunday against the Tigers.

Maeda started Sunday's game strong, as he opened the contest with five perfect frames. However, things quickly went south for him in the sixth when he surrendered a two-run home run and gave up four total runs. Although this wasn't the righty's best outing, his command was still solid as he struck out seven and didn't allow any walks. Maeda will carry a 3.88 ERA and 1.11 WHIP into his next start, which figures to come Friday against the Brewers.