MLB Player News

Early (elbow) threw a 25-pitch bullpen session Saturday, Danielle Allentuck of The Washington Post reports.

Early encountered a setback in early August when he experienced minor left forearm tightness during a live batting practice session. The left-hander has now resumed mound work as he looks to join the Nationals rotation sometime in September. Early hasn't pitched in a game since late June, when he was still a member of the Red Sox before he was traded to the Nationals on July 26.

The Rockies plan to call up Adams from Triple-A Albuquerque to pitch in Tuesday's game against the Nationals in Washington, D.C., Thomas Harding of MLB.com reports.

Adams is expected to be deployed as either a traditional starter or bulk reliever as a replacement in the rotation for lefty Kyle Freeland (neck), who is slated to go on the 15-day injured list. Acquired Aug. 3 as part of the deal that sent outfielder Brenton Doyle to the White Sox, Adams has posted a 2.08 ERA, 0.92 WHIP and 13:3 K:BB in 13 innings over three starts at Albuquerque.

The Rockies are expected to place Freeland on the 15-day injured list Monday while he recovers from a pinched nerve in his neck, Thomas Harding of MLB.com reports.

Despite making an early exit from his previous start last Wednesday against the Dodgers due to the injury, Freeland had been expected to be ready to go for his next turn through the rotation Tuesday in Washington. The veteran southpaw evidently hasn't bounced back from the neck issue as well as the Rockies had hoped, so the club is expected to call up right-hander Mason Adams from Triple-A Albuquerque to take Freeland's spot in the rotation. Freeland owns a 4-10 record, 6.37 ERA, 1.46 WHIP and 103:28 K:BB across 124.1 innings over his 23 starts on the season.

Cardinals manager Oliver Marmol said Sunday that Mathews will remain in the team's rotation for the foreseeable future, Derrick Goold of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch reports.

The wheels had already been in motion for Mathews to get a long look at the big-league level, and he's now also needed out of necessity following the injuries to Andre Pallante (elbow) and Hunter Dobbins (forearm). Mathews is coming off easily the worst of his three major-league starts, having been roughed up for seven runs on 10 hits and one walk with three strikeouts over five innings versus the Phillies. The southpaw is set to make his home debut this weekend against the Pirates.

Sugano (12-7) took the loss Sunday against the Guardians, allowing five runs on nine hits and one walk while striking out two over three innings.

Sugano was hit hard from the outset, allowing four hits and a walk as Cleveland plated three runs in the first inning. Things didn't improve much in the second, with the Guardians adding two more runs on four hits. Sugano needed 92 pitches to record just nine outs, while his nine hits allowed matched a season high. The right-hander has struggled considerably over his last eight innings, surrendering 16 hits and 12 runs (11 earned) while taking consecutive losses. He owns a 4.96 ERA, 1.32 WHIP and 71:28 K:BB across 121.2 innings this season and is slated to face Atlanta on the road Friday.

Mahle (5-10) allowed one run on six hits, two walks and a hit batsman while striking out four over five-plus innings to earn the win over Milwaukee in the Little League Classic on Sunday.

Mahle fell short of a fourth straight quality start, but he delivered another strong performance. He's given up just four runs over 23.2 innings while adding a 23:5 K:BB over four starts with Atlanta since he was traded from San Francisco. He's at a 4.41 ERA, 1.32 WHIP and 112:42 K:BB through 118.1 innings over 22 starts this season, but the change of scenery has completely turned his campaign around. Mahle will look to keep rolling in a home start versus Colorado his next time out.

Drohan (6-5) allowed two runs on eight hits and three walks while striking out five over five innings to take the loss versus Atlanta on Sunday in the Little League Classic.

After a relief appearance earlier in the week, Drohan was back in the rotation. While he didn't have a poor start, the 11 baserunners he allowed got his pitch count up quickly, and he exited at 83 pitches (54 strikes). Drohan is now at a 3.84 ERA, 1.29 WHIP and 104:36 K:BB through 105.1 innings over 26 games (15 starts) this season. The left-hander is expected to face some workload limitations over the final month-plus of the season, which could lead to him filling a multi-inning relief role if/when the Brewers trim their rotation back down to five starters.

Imanaga did not factor into the decision Sunday, allowing two runs (one earned) on five hits, two walks and a hit-by-pitch over two-plus innings against the Mariners. He struck out four.

The Cubs offense turned the contest into a laugher, but Imanaga struggled on the mound, throwing 72 pitches (41 strikes) before being pulled without recording an out in the third inning. In four August starts, the southpaw has pitched to a 4.58 ERA, 1.47 WHIP and 25:5 K:BB across 17.2 frames. Overall, the 32-year-old owns an 8-9 record with a 3.78 ERA, 1.12 WHIP and 144:34 K:BB in 145.1 innings (26 starts). Imanaga is tentatively scheduled to pitch Saturday against the Reds.

Gausman (hand) is listed as the Cubs' probable starting pitcher for Monday's game against the Diamondbacks at Chase Field.

Gausman dealt with cramping in his non-pitching hand during his previous appearance in Tuesday's 4-3 win over the White Sox, but he apparently made it through his between-starts bullpen session without issue and will be able to take his next turn through the rotation on five days' rest. Since being acquired from the Blue Jays on Aug. 2, Gausman has gone 1-1 with a 6.19 ERA, 1.38 WHIP and 16:4 K:BB in 16 innings through his first three starts with the Cubs.

Snell (2-1) earned the win Sunday, allowing two hits, issuing three walks and logging a hit-by-pitch over six scoreless innings against the Pirates. He struck out six.

Snell's control wasn't perfect, but he handled the Pirates offense with relative ease, firing off six scoreless frames on 94 pitches (62 strikes). In three starts since returning from an almost three-month stint on the injured list following a procedure to remove loose bodies from his left elbow, the two-time Cy Young Award winner has posted a 1.00 ERA, 0.78 WHIP and 21:7 K:BB across 18 innings. Snell will look to stay hot on the bump next time out, tentatively scheduled for Saturday against the Tigers.