MLB Player News

Mets manager Carlos Mendoza said Sunday that Megill is the favorite to fill the rotation spot vacated by Paul Blackburn (hand), Mike Puma of the New York Post reports.

Blackburn landed on the injured list Sunday due to a bruised hand, creating an opening for Megill to potentially rejoin the big-league rotation. Megill has spent the past few weeks at Triple-A Syracuse, where he has a 3.15 ERA, 1.23 WHIP and 54:17 K:BB across 40 innings this season. The right-hander's 5.17 ERA in 10 MLB outings this season is less encouraging, however. If called up, Megill would tentatively line up to make a start Thursday in Arizona.

Ray (undisclosed) was forced to exit Sunday's contest in the fourth inning with an apparent injury, Daniel Kramer of MLB.com reports.

Ray pitched three innings, giving up one run on one hit and three walks while striking out four batters prior to leaving the game. The left-hander appeared to have been dealing with some discomfort in his left leg, but more information on his injury will likely be provided in the near future.

The Brewers recalled Ashby from Triple-A Nashville on Sunday.

The left-hander has started in 14 of his 25 appearances for Nashville this season, and he's recently been operating out of the bullpen. Ashby has delivered six straight scoreless appearances at Triple-A and has a 14:1 K:BB during that stretch. He'll step into a relief role for the Brewers, taking the roster spot of Nick Mears (forearm).

Kelly (3-0) picked up the win Sunday against Boston, allowing four runs on seven hits and three walks with five strikeouts across six innings.

All four runs charged to Kelly came via the long ball, with Triston Casas lifting a solo homer with two outs in the first inning and Rafael Devers swatting a three-run home run in the fourth frame. Still, Kelly received enough run support to pick up his third win of the campaign. Since being activated from the injured list Aug. 11, Kelly has a 6.75 ERA and an 11:6 K:BB across 16 innings spanning three starts. The right-hander has allowed 10 combined runs in his last two starts. He'll look to get back on track next time out in an expected matchup with the Dodgers.

Lopez didn't factor into the decision Sunday against Washington, allowing one run on three hits and three walks across six innings. He struck out seven.

Lopez hasn't skipped a beat since a stint on the injured list with forearm tightness threw a wrench in his dominant 2024 campaign. In two starts (11 innings) since being activated, Lopez has allowed two runs with 17 strikeouts. The 30-year-old is approaching a sub-2.00 ERA, with Sunday's outing moving his ERA from 2.05 to 2.02 -- which would lead MLB starters if he qualified. Lopez is tentatively scheduled to face the Phillies in Philadelphia next.

Herz didn't factor into the decision Sunday against Atlanta, allowing one hit and three walks across five scoreless innings. He struck out eight.

Herz was excellent Sunday but wasn't rewarded with the win as Atlanta tied the game 1-1 in the sixth inning before Washington pulled ahead late. The outing marked Herz's third time not allowing an earned run, and he hit the eight-strikeout milestone for the fourth time in 14 starts. The 23-year-old has had issues keeping the ball inside the park -- posting a 1.4 HR/9 across 65.2 innings -- but he's otherwise been impressive. The rookie boasts a 3.84 ERA with 83 strikeouts despite a 2-6 record. Herz is tentatively scheduled to make his next start during a weekend series against the Cubs.

The Mets placed Blackburn on the 15-day injured list Sunday due to a right hand contusion.

The right-hander suffered the injury during his start against the Padres on Friday, but he appeared set to avoid a stint on the injured list after a CT scan came back negative Saturday. However, Blackburn experienced some stiffness and soreness when he attempted to throw Sunday, per Tim Healey of Newsday, and the Mets are hoping he can return after a minimum-length stay on the IL. Tylor Megill is the likely candidate to get called up from Triple-A Syracuse to fill Blackburn's spot in the starting rotation.

Kershaw did not factor into the decision in Saturday's loss to the Rays, allowing five runs on nine hits and two walks over five innings while striking out five.

Kershaw struggled right out of the gate, allowing five consecutive batters to reach with one out in the opening frame, which would lead to four runs coming across for Tampa Bay. The veteran lefty would then hold the Rays scoreless over the next three innings before surrendering another run in the fifth, coughing up a season-high five earned runs overall on the night. The nine hits were also the most he's allowed on the campaign, though he was still able to make it through five innings for the third consecutive outing. Kershaw now carries a 2.95 ERA in August to go along with an 18:5 K:BB.

King (11-7) took the loss against the Mets on Saturday, allowing five runs (one earned) on three hits and three walks over five innings. He struck out seven.

King struggled with his command early, issuing three walks in the opening frame while also surrendering an RBI double to Pete Alonso. The right-hander then went 1-2-3 through each of the next two innings before stumbling again in the fourth, coughing up a grand slam to Francisco Lindor as the Mets took a commanding 5-0 lead -- though none of the last four runs would count against him on account of a fielding error by Manny Machado. Despite his struggles, King still made it through five innings for his 10th consecutive start, and he now carries a 2-1 record in August to go along with a 2.45 ERA and 30:7 K:BB. He's also recorded six or more strikeouts in seven straight outings.

The Phillies recalled Allard from Triple-A Lehigh Valley to start Sunday's game against the Royals.

Philadelphia will use the left-hander as a spot starter since the team's next scheduled off day isn't until Sept. 2. Allard has a 3.46 ERA, 1.23 WHIP and 8:2 K:BB across 13 big-league innings this season, and he allowed five runs over four frames in his most recent outing with Lehigh Valley last Sunday.