MLB Player News

Hill (8-4) allowed one run on two hits and two walks while striking out three over 5.2 innings to earn the win Saturday against the Giants.

Hill allowed a solo homer to Hunter Pence, but otherwise held the Giants in check while receiving just enough run support to earn the victory. He's held opponents to two or fewer earned runs in each of his five starts this month while collecting four wins, and with an overall ERA of 3.35, he's been a strong fantasy option. He'll make his next start Friday against the Mets.

Strasburg (elbow) threw a successful bullpen session Saturday, Chelsea Janes of the Washington Post reports.

This is an encouraging start to Strasburg's rehab as he emerged from Saturday's session "very well," according to general manager Mike Rizzo. The team will check back to see how Strasburg's elbow responded to the added activity Sunday, at which point the Nationals figure to map out the next steps in his rehab.

Ray was placed on the 7-day concussion DL on Saturday.

A horrific scene unfolded Friday night in St. Louis, with Ray being hit in the head by a 108 mph comebacker. Fortunately, a CT scan came back normal, and Ray himself said Saturday on Twitter that he is "feeling much better already." Reliever Silvino Bracho took Ray's spot on the roster.

Lyles was designated for assignment by the Rockies on Saturday, Thomas Harding of MLB.com reports.

This move was a long time coming. Lyles has been a major liability in the Rockies' bullpen since transitioning from a starting role last year, and things have only gotten worse lately with Lyles posting a 7.15 ERA in 11.1 July innings. The 26-year-old has posted an ERA below 5.00 just once in seven major-league seasons, and in that year (2014), he had a 4.33 mark.

Kershaw (back) played catch again Saturday, David Vassegh of AM 570 LA Sports reports.

The Dodgers' training staff gave Kershaw the green light to play catch Friday, ahead of schedule. It would seem he responded well to the activity as he got right back to work Saturday, but Kershaw remains without a definitive timetable for a return to action. Kershaw has said that he doesn't have shooting pain down his leg like he did last year, but even so, he'll likely need at least a month to work his way back.

Hill (illness) will be Saturday's starter against the Giants, David Vassegh of AM 570 LA Sports reports.

Hill has been battling a respiratory ailment over the past week, but appears good to go for Saturday's game. The left-hander was dealing with the illness during his previous start against the Braves last Saturday, but was able to provide an excellent outing, allowing just two runs while striking out eight over 6.1 innings.

Quintana (6-9) allowed two runs on four hits and three walks over six innings while striking out six in Friday's 2-1 loss to the Brewers.

The left-hander delivered his third quality start in as many outings since the crosstown trade that made him a Cub, but he got outdueled by Brent Suter in this one. Quintana now has a 2.37 ERA and 0.89 WHIP in his new uniform, but will face a tough test in his next start Thursday at home against the Diamondbacks.

Wood (12-1) allowed four earned runs on eight hits over seven innings against the Giants on Friday, notching five strikeouts and picking up the win.

Wood's dominant night was done in by a rough seventh inning, in which he allowed three runs on four hits including back-to-back RBI doubles by Nick Hundley and Gorkys Herandez. Nonetheless, the southpaw put together a nice outing after allowing nine runs (seven earned) in his last outing, a disastrous blowout loss to the Braves. The 26-year-old remains a valuable fantasy asset thanks to his stellar 2.38 ERA and 0.99 WHIP this year, though it's worth noting that a dip in velocity could be the result of a heavy inning count, as Wood underwent elbow surgery to cut short his 2016 campaign. He'll have a chance to avenge his earlier performance against Atlanta in his next start, as he lines up to face them Thursday.

Wacha (8-4) tossed six shutout innings Friday, allowing three hits and recording five strikeouts in a 1-0 win over the Diamondbacks.

Wacha was essentially in control all night, not allowing a hit until a Chris Owings double in the fifth, but he got the hook after his pitch count hit 93 through six innings. It was a nice rebound outing following the right-hander's last start, in which he surrendered five earned runs in a loss to the Cubs, and brings an end to what has been his most successful month this season. Wacha has now gone 3-1 with a 2.36 ERA and a 32:4 K:BB over his last five starts, a strong trend he'll look to continue in the latter half of the season. His next appearance is scheduled for Thursday against the Brewers.

Manager Torey Luvollo said Ray's CT scan came back normal and he will undergo concussion tests within the coming days, Steve Gilbert of MLB.com reports.

This is great news regarding Ray, who was hit by a 108 mph line drive in Friday night's game against the Cardinals and was forced to exit after just 1.2 innings. He appears to have gotten off with just a few stitches for now, but further tests in the coming days should reveal a more detailed analysis of the situation. Ray, who owns a 3.11 ERA and 151 strikeouts in 20 starts this year, is next scheduled to take the mound Thursday against the Cubs if he's cleared to return to action.