MLB Player News
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Nick Lodolo SP | CIN
Reds' Nick Lodolo: Activated, starting Wednesday
The Reds reinstated Lodolo (finger) from the 15-day injured list ahead of his scheduled start Wednesday against the Dodgers in Los Angeles.
Cincinnati placed reliever Graham Ashcraft (forearm) on the 15-day IL to clear room on the active roster for Lodolo, who had been on the shelf since Aug. 5 due to a left index finger blister. Lodolo didn't go out on a rehab assignment prior to being activated, but he was able to get built back up to some degree with a three-inning simulated game this past weekend. The southpaw could be in line for a lighter workload than normal as he rejoins the Reds to make his 24th start of the season.
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Jonah Tong SP | NYM
Mets' Jonah Tong: Could be limited to one start
Tong, who will be called up from Triple-A Syracuse to start Friday's game against the Marlins, won't be guaranteed any additional turns through the big-league rotation, Will Sammon and Tim Britton of the Athletic report. "We're going turn by turn at this point," president of baseball operations David Stearns said Tuesday. "We try not to plan too far ahead."
The minor-league strikeout leader will make his MLB debut Friday as the Mets build in an extra day of rest for other members of the rotation amid a busy portion of the schedule. Whether Tong forces New York to stick with a six-man rotation moving forward or bumps one of the veterans starters to the bullpen will likely depend on how he fares Friday, and whether he gives the club the best chance to win games in a tight playoff race.
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Spencer Strider SP | ATL
Braves' Spencer Strider: Denied two-start week
Strider is set to receive an additional day of rest before his next start and isn't expected to return to the hill until Monday's game against the Cubs in Chicago, Mark Bowman of MLB.com reports.
After delivering seven innings of one-run ball in Atlanta's 2-1 loss to the Marlins on Monday, Strider had been lined to get his second start of the week this Sunday in Philadelphia. However, Atlanta is opting to have him swap spots in the pitching schedule with rookie Hurston Waldrep, who will take the hill Sunday on four days' rest after starting in Tuesday's 11-2 win over Miami. Strider may not be in line for any two-start weeks for the remainder of the season, as Atlanta plans to bring Chris Sale (ribcage) back from the injured list this weekend and move forward with a six-man rotation, even though the club will have every Thursday off in September.
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Cal Quantrill SP | ATL
Braves' Cal Quantrill: Cleared for next start
Quantrill (calf) is slated to start Thursday's series opener against the Phillies in Philadelphia, Mark Bowman of MLB.com reports.
After being claimed off waivers from the Marlins last week, Quantrill made his Atlanta debut during Saturday's 9-2 loss to the Mets. Quantrill, who took his 11th loss of the season, struck out three and was charged with three earned runs on five hits and five walks across 4.2 innings before departing due to calf cramps. Atlanta described Quantrill's removal from the contest as precautionary, and after receiving treatment to address the issue, the right-hander will be ready to take the hill Thursday on normal rest.
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Janson Junk SP | MIA
Marlins' Janson Junk: Out with ulnar nerve irritation
The Marlins placed Junk on the 15-day injured list Wednesday due to right ulnar nerve irritation.
Junk departed his most recent start Saturday against the Blue Jays with discomfort in his pitching arm, and he's subsequently been diagnosed with the ulnar nerve issue. The righty will be eligible for activation Sept. 8, but it's too soon to know whether he has a chance to be ready to go on that date.
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Mitch Keller SP | PIT
Pirates' Mitch Keller: Punches out nine
Keller (6-12) earned the win over the Cardinals on Tuesday, allowing three runs on three hits and one walk while striking out nine in six innings.
Keller was nearly through four scoreless frames, but Nolan Gorman took him deep for a two-run shot with two outs to get the Cardinals on the board. Keller racked up a season-high nine strikeouts and recorded his first quality start since July 22. He's now up to 16 quality starts this season, which is tied for 10th in MLB. Keller will look to build on his positive outing when he faces the Dodgers in a home start next week.
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Andre Pallante SP | STL
Cardinals' Andre Pallante: Hit hard Tuesday
Pallante (6-12) took the loss Tuesday against the Pirates, allowing eight runs (seven earned) on eight hits and a walk while striking out three in five innings.
The run of bad starts continued Tuesday for Pallante, who now has an 11.65 ERA and 2.18 WHIP over his last four outings. Pallante allowed three runs and four hits before even recording an out against the Pirates. He wound up surrendering seven runs over the first two frames before Henry Davis took him yard for a solo shot in the third. Pallante showed promise in 2024, posting a 3.78 ERA over 121.1 innings, but he's been a completely different pitcher in 2025. Cardinals manager Oliver Marmol indicated after Pallante's poor start Tuesday that a discussion would need to be had about the pitcher's standing in the rotation, Daniel Guerrero of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch reports. Should he get another turn through the rotation, Pallante would line up to face the Reds on the road this weekend.
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Nick Lodolo SP | CIN
Reds' Nick Lodolo: Rejoining rotation Wednesday
Lodolo (finger) will be activated from the 15-day injured list to start Wednesday against the Dodgers in Los Angeles, Gordon Wittenmyer of The Cincinnati Enquirer reports.
Lodolo has missed most of August due to a blister on his left index finger, but he's ready to rejoin the rotation as the Reds push for a playoff spot. The left-hander didn't make a rehab start during his time on the shelf, having instead thrown a three-inning simulated game last Friday. Lodolo's workload against the Dodgers on Wednesday could be relatively limited as a result.
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Sandy Alcantara SP | MIA
Marlins' Sandy Alcantara: Settles for no-decision Tuesday
Alcantara didn't factor into the decision in Tuesday's 11-2 loss to Atlanta, allowing two runs on three hits and two walks over seven innings. He struck out seven.
The right-hander produced his third straight quality start and racked up 34 called or swinging strikes among his 104 pitches (72 total strikes), but Alcantara left the mound with the score tied 2-2 and watched the Marlins' bullpen implode in the ninth inning. Over those three outings he's regained his Cy Young form, posting a 1.80 ERA, 0.70 WHIP and 23:4 K:BB through 20 innings. If he keeps delivering results like that through September, Miami might be able to get the kind of trade package for him over the winter that the team couldn't find at this year's deadline. Alcantara will look to stay focused in his next start, which is scheduled to come on the road this weekend against the Mets.
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Hurston Waldrep SP | ATL
Braves' Hurston Waldrep: Stingy in no-decision
Waldrep came away with a no-decision in Tuesday's 11-2 win over the Marlins, allowing one run on eight hits and one walk over 5.1 innings. He failed to strike out a batter.
The rookie right-hander didn't have his best stuff, managing only three swinging strikes among his 88 pitches (52 total strikes), but Waldrep battled through after giving up an RBI single to Jakob Marsee just two batters into the game. He left the mound in line for a win, but Dylan Lee gave up the tying run in the seventh inning, setting the stage for a nine-run ninth by the Atlanta offense. Through five appearances (four starts) this season, Waldrep sports a dazzling 0.90 ERA, 0.93 WHIP and 24:7 K:BB through 30 innings with a 4-0 record. He faces a tough test in his next outing, which is set to come early next week on the road against the Cubs.