MLB Player News

Birdsong is scheduled to make his next start Tuesday in Atlanta, David O'Brien of The Athletic reports.

The banged-up Giants have only two members of their Opening Day rotation (Logan Webb and Jordan Hicks) available at the moment, so San Francisco should have a spot available for Birdsong until at least three of Kyle Harrison (ankle), Blake Snell (groin), Alex Cobb (hip), Robbie Ray (elbow) and Keaton Winn (elbow) come back from the injured list. After being expedited to the big leagues last week following just two starts at Triple-A Sacramento, Birdsong demonstrated shaky command in his MLB debut against the Cubs on Wednesday, giving up three runs on six hits and three walks over 4.2 innings. On a positive note, Birdsong induced nine swings and misses and finished with five punchouts. His long-term outlook remains promising, but Birdsong shapes up as a risky fantasy option heading into what will likely be a two-start week. After facing off against Atlanta, the 23-year-old right-hander lines up for another turn Sunday in Cleveland.

Vasquez (forearm) has been cleared to make his next start Friday versus the Diamondbacks in San Diego, Kevin Acee of The San Diego Union-Tribune reports.

In his most recent start in Friday's 9-2 win over the Mets, Vasquez took a no-decision after he was lifted after 59 pitches and four innings when he was struck in the right forearm by a comebacker. Follow-up X-rays cleared Vasquez of any structural damage to his forearm, and he's been cleared to make his next start after he played catch Sunday without incident. Since returning from Triple-A El Paso on June 1 and rejoining the big-league rotation, Vasquez has gone 2-1 with a 4.20 ERA, 1.60 WHIP and 19:9 K:BB in 30 innings spanning six starts.

Kelly (shoulder) recently increased his throwing distance off flat ground to 120 feet, Alex Weiner of ArizonaSports.com reports.

Though Kelly is steadily upping his throwing distance, the Diamondbacks haven't yet indicated when the right-hander might be ready to resume mound work. In any case, Kelly recently acknowledged that he's not expecting to come off the 60-day injured list until mid-to-late August, so he still has several weeks to go and multiple checkpoints to hit in his rehab program before a more precise target date for his return is identified.

Chirinos came away with a no-decision in Sunday's loss to the Phillies, giving up three runs on nine hits and a walk over 4.1 innings while striking out four.

The damage against the right-hander could have been worse considering all the traffic he put on the basepaths, but it was still a shaky effort from Chirinos. He's made three starts for the Marlins and has at least pitched into the fifth inning in each outing, helping to take a little pressure off the team's overtaxed bullpen. Chirinos sports a 3.77 ERA, 1.67 WHIP and 15:4 K:BB through 14.1 innings for Miami, and he lines up to make his next trip to the mound at home this weekend against the White Sox.

Pfaadt allowed one run on five hits and two walks while striking out eight over six innings Sunday against the Athletics. He did not factor into the decision.

Pfaadt carried a shutout into the fifth inning before serving up a solo home run to Zack Gelof to tie the game at 1-1. That was the lone mark against him, though it was enough to cost him a chance at the win after the Diamondbacks didn't take the lead back until the bottom of the seventh. Sunday was the third time in June Pfaadt punched out eight batters, but it came on the heels of consecutive starts in which he combined for just two strikeouts in 12.2 innings. Length has been a strength for Pfaadt, as he's gone at least six innings in 13 of his last 15 starts. The 25-year-old owns a 4.28 ERA, 1.17 WHIP and 94:26 K:BB in 103 innings and lines up for his next start against division-rival Padres over the weekend.

Cobb (hip/shoulder) struck out four and allowed one run over two innings in his first rehab start with Single-A San Jose on Sunday.

Cobb's surgically repaired hip has seemingly been a non-issue for a while, and he was finally cleared for game action after being set back by a nerve problem in his shoulder. The right-hander will need several weeks to get built back up, but he could be ready to return from the 60-day injured list shortly after the All-Star break if he continues to make progress in his recovery from the shoulder issue while increasing his pitch count in his subsequent rehab starts.

Paxton (7-2) allowed nine runs on 12 hits and two walks over four innings Sunday, striking out four and taking a loss against the Giants.

Paxton gave up four runs through three frames before the Giants piled on with a five-run fourth inning. The veteran southpaw had a very odd month of June; he gave up six earned runs in 1.2 innings against the Pirates on June 5 but allowed just two total runs over his next three outings before Sunday's unraveling. Overall, he posted a 6.46 ERA this month, raising his season mark to 4.28 through 15 starts. Paxton's next start is currently lined up to be at home against the Brewers.

Grene (5-4) allowed a run on four hits and two walks over 4.2 innings Sunday, striking out six and taking a loss against the Cardinals.

Greene kept St. Louis off the board until Alec Burleson knocked an RBI single in the fifth inning. While that was the only run charged against Greene, Cincinnati was shut out, leaving him with the tough-luck loss. While he needed 95 pitches to get through 4.2 frames, he managed to force 16 swinging strikes. Greene has failed to complete five innings in two straight outings and has just one quality start over his last six appearances. He'll carry a 3.70 ERA into his next start, which is lined up to be at home against Detroit.

Lynn (4-3) allowed two hits and a walk over six shutout frames Sunday, striking out six and earning a win over the Reds.

Lynn faced little pushback as he sliced through the Reds' lineup. He generated a season-high 17 whiffs, including 14 with his four-seam fastball. It was his second straight win after going 0-1 in his previous five starts. Lynn dropped his season ERA to 3.59 alongside an 84:31 K:BB through 17 starts this season. His next outing is projected to be in Washington.

Severino did not factor into the decision Sunday, allowing four runs on eight hits and a walk over seven innings against the Astros. He struck out three.

Severino was highly efficient if not incredibly effective, needing just 79 pitches to complete seven innings despite allowing four runs and nine baserunners while throwing a first-pitch strike to just 13 of 28 batters. He also struck out only three after fanning a season-high 10 batters in his previous outing. It's the fifth consecutive start in which he's gone at least six innings, though it's the second time within those starts that he allowed at least four earned runs. Severino's next opportunity to toe the rubber is slated to take place next weekend when the Mets travel to Pittsburgh to take on the Pirates.