MLB Player News

Birdsong did not factor into the decision in a loss to the Brewers on Thursday, allowing two hits and one walk over five scoreless innings while striking out four.

Birdsong got off to a great start Thursday, allowing just one hit through the first four innings before being relieved in the sixth after throwing just 68 pitches. It marked the right-hander's first time going at least five innings since July 27 against the Rockies, which was also the last time that he collected a win. Additionally, it marked the first time in Birdsong's last five starts that he didn't issue multiple walks.

Montas (7-10) picked up the win over the Giants on Thursday, allowing two hits and two walks over six scoreless frames while striking out eight.

Montas stifled San Francisco's lineup, allowing just two batters to reach second base during his six innings on the mound. The right-hander generated 19 swings and misses en route to posting eight or more strikeouts for only the third time this season. It also marked Montas' second consecutive quality start to open the month, and he now carries a very strong 18:5 K:BB September to go along with a 2.25 ERA.

Greene (elbow) said Thursday that he felt good after throwing live batting practice Wednesday, MLB.com reports.

Greene threw about 25 pitches Wednesday and expects to throw a longer session Saturday. The Reds are hoping the right-hander can rejoin the rotation next week during the team's homestand.

Parker came away with a no-decision in Thursday's loss to the Marlins after he allowed two unearned runs on three hits and no walks over 6.1 innings. He struck out five.

Parker was fantastic Thursday, allowing only four baserunners and two unearned runs while pitching into the seventh inning for the seventh time this season. Parker has now recorded 11 quality starts in his rookie campaign, and five of those have come over his last eight starts. The 24-year-old hasn't missed a turn through the rotation since being called up in mid-April, and he's racked up 127 strikeouts with a 4.24 ERA over 142.1 innings.

Cecconi was optioned to Triple-A Reno on Thursday, Alex Weiner of ArizonaSports.com reports.

Cecconi was recalled Sept. 1 and allowed seven earned runs over 3.2 innings while in the majors. Cecconi has bounced between Reno and Arizona several times this season, so it's possible that he could return to the big leagues in the final days of the regular season.

The Diamondbacks recalled Diaz from Triple-A Reno on Thursday, Jesse Friedman of GoPHNX.com reports.

Diaz had four starts for the Diamondbacks in July, and he notched a quality start in the first two. In the third game he surrendered seven earned runs across three innings, but he bounced back in his final outing July 28 by allowing just one hit in five scoreless frames before returning to Triple-A. The right-hander worked out of the bullpen in his last two outings with Reno and should serve as a long reliever while up with the big club.

Gray (13-9) earned the win Thursday over the Reds, allowing one run on two hits and two walks over six innings. He struck out nine.

It was another excellent outing from Gray -- the right-hander's now held opponents to one run in each of his last three starts (19 innings) while posting a 20:3 K:BB in that span. The veteran right-hander's lowered his ERA to 3.75 on the year with a 1.07 WHIP and 195 strikeouts (10 shy of a career high) across 160.2 innings. Gray will look to keep rolling his next time out, currently scheduled as a home matchup with the Pirates next week.

Feltner didn't factor into the decision Thursday against Detroit, allowing two runs on three hits and two walks over 5.2 innings. He struck out six.

Feltner has now turned in back-to-back strong outings, allowing three runs on just five hits across 11.2 innings in that span. The right-hander's lowered his ERA to 4.89 on the campaign with a 1.39 WHIP and 127:47 K:BB across 27 starts (143.2 innings). Feltner's currently on track for a home matchup with the Diamondbacks early next week.

Dollander has a 2.25 ERA, 1.10 WHIP and 58 strikeouts in 48 innings through nine starts for Double-A Hartford.

All told, he has a 2.59 ERA, 1.19 WHIP and 169 strikeouts in 118 innings across 23 starts between High-A and Double-A. Dollander is one of the best pitchers in the minors, but his dynasty value doesn't match his real-life value, given that he'll be pitching half his games in Coors Field.

Susana logged a 2.40 ERA, 1.13 WHIP and 27 strikeouts in 15 innings over his final three starts for High-A Wilmington.

The big righty had a pair of 10-strikeout performances to put a bow on his age-20 campaign. His fielding-independent stats paint a better picture (FIP and xFIP below 3.00 at Single-A and High-A) than his 4.34 ERA and 1.31 WHIP in 103.2 innings across the two levels. Susana's 35.4 percent strikeout rate ranked fourth in the minors among pitchers who threw 100-plus innings this season.