MLB Player News

Hill (9-4) allowed three runs on six hits and three walks while striking out five across five innings to earn the win Friday against the Tigers.

Hill allowed a pair of first-inning runs before settling down, while the offense provided him with seven runs before his exit. He hasn't allowed more than three runs in any of his last 10 starts, and he continues to be a very solid lineup option. He'll make his next start Wednesday against the Pirates.

Williams (5-6) allowed eight runs on seven hits and two walks while striking out three over three innings to take the loss Friday against the Cardinals.

Williams was roughed up for three homers, as the Cardinals made quick work of him. He came into this game having allowed three or fewer earned runs in 10 of his last 11 starts, but this poor outing raised his ERA from 4.19 to 4.71. Aside from the occasional rough outing, he's been a reasonable fantasy option this year. He'll make his next start Wednesday against the Dodgers.

Martinez (10-9) allowed three runs on six hits and one walk while striking out four over seven innings to earn the win Friday against the Pirates.

Martinez gave up a pair of solo homers in the first two innings but was strong after that, while the offense gave him plenty of support to lead him to his 10th victory of the year. He's won three straight decisions, and his 3.57 ERA is pretty indicative of what he provides fantasy owners in the majority of his starts. He'll make his next start Thursday against the Padres.

Ray (concussion) will return to the major-league rotation next week, Nick Piecoro of The Arizona Republic reports.

The D-backs' brass saw all they needed to see from Ray in his start with High-A Visalia on Thursday -- he struck out 11 over 4.2 innings in his lone rehab appearance. Ray was establishing himself as a frontline major-league starter before he was struck in the head by a line drive late last month, and he should be immediately deployed in all formats with two starts (at Mets, vs Giants) on tap for next week.

Kershaw (back) will take to the mound Tuesday in Pittsburgh for his second simulated game, and then head out for a rehab outing later in the week, Jim Plunkett of the Orange County Register reports.

Kershaw was able to throw 40 pitches in another bullpen session prior to Friday's game in Detroit, which went "very well" according to manager Dave Roberts. The southpaw is set for a three-inning simulated game -- his second in as many weeks -- and then he's off for a rehab outing with either Double-A Tulsa or Triple-A Oklahoma City, which projects to occur next weekend. If all goes well, Kershaw could be back on a big-league mound when the calendar turns to September.

Wainwright was placed on the 10-day disabled list with right elbow impingement Friday, Jenifer Langosch of MLB.com reports.

Wainwright was hit pretty hard during Thursday's outing, giving up five earned runs off seven hits over three innings before getting the hook in Pittsburgh. He wound up flying back St. Louis on Friday to be reevaluated, and will now make another stay on the disabled list. The right-hander recently returned from a back injury earlier this month but has seemed out of sorts since, lasting just 11 innings over the course of three starts following his activation Aug. 6. While there hasn't been a definitive timetable on Wainwright's status, he could return after just one or two missed starts. Luke Weaver will step into his place in the rotation starting Wednesday against San Diego.

Kershaw (back) will toss another bullpen session prior to the team's game against Detroit on Friday, and then move on to a simulated game Monday in Pittsburgh, David Vassegh of AM 570 LA Sports reports.

Kershaw continues to ramp up his rehab as he's set to compete in another simulated game next week. There was a chance that the left-hander would toss a few innings in a rehab outing instead of partaking in a second simulated game, but manager Dave Roberts opted for the latter. If all goes well during these next couple days, Kershaw could be able to head out for a minor-league appearance by the end of next week.

Ray (concussion) struck out 11 batters over 4.2 innings in a rehab start for High-A Visalia on Thursday. He gave up two runs on four hits and two walks.

Thursday marked the second time Ray had faced live hitters since suffering a concussion after taking a line drive off the head in a July 28 start against the Cardinals, resulting in his placement on the 7-day DL. While he wasn't at his sharpest Thursday, he still generated plenty of swings and misses while tossing 58 of his 80 pitches for strikes. The Diamondbacks have yet to announce the next step for Ray, but given how well he generally performed in the rehab start, it's likely the team will be comfortable enough activating the left-hander and reinserting him into the rotation early next week.

Velasquez is scheduled to see a specialist in St. Louis about his injured middle finger, Todd Zolecki of MLB.com reports.

Velasquez has been sidelined since leaving his Aug. 10 start after the first inning due to numbness in his finger. The Phillies have not yet provided a timetable for his return. Mark Leiter is taking Velasquez's spot in the rotation while he is sidelined.

Nola (9-8) took the loss Thursday in San Francisco, surrendering five earned runs with just three strikeouts over 5.0 innings.

Nola's 10-start streak of holding opponents to two-or-fewer runs came to an end Thursday as he was surprisingly touched up by a floundering Giants offense in a pitcher's park. He was relatively effective through his first four innings, but things began to fall apart for Nola in the fifth inning with the Giants scratching three runs across against him to force him from the game. Considering how effective Nola has been since late June, Thursday's hiccup was likely little more than an aberration for the 24-year-old ace. He'll look to bounce back Tuesday against the Marlins in the nightcap of a doubleheader.