MLB Player News

Hall (knee) struck out four and allowed one earned run on one hit and two walks over four innings in his rehab start Friday with Triple-A Nashville.

Currently in the midst of his third rehab assignment while he makes his way back from a lengthy absence due to a left knee sprain, Hall delivered perhaps his most encouraging outing yet. The four innings represented his longest outing at any level since April 6, and though he issued two walks and surrendered a solo home run, Hall largely avoided traffic on the bases. He tossed 57 pitches (36 strikes) in Friday's start, so the Brewers will presumably want to see Hall get further stretched out over another rehab start or two before bringing him back from the 60-day injured list. Joe Ross (knee) looks on track to return from the 60-day IL to start Tuesday against Atlanta, but Hall could end up usurping Ross as Milwaukee's No. 5 starter once he gets reinstated.

The Brewers are expected to activate Ross (back) from the 60-day injured list and have him start Tuesday against Atlanta at American Family Field, MLB.com reports.

Even though he was lit up for 11 earned runs on 14 hits and five walks over 8.1 innings in his final two rehab outings with Triple-A Nashville, Ross apparently checked out fine physically upon returning to Milwaukee this weekend and completing a bullpen session in front of the coaching and training staffs Saturday. Though Ross looks to be fully stretched out after tossing 80 pitches for Nashville his last time out Wednesday, the Brewers could nonetheless be conservative with his workload against Atlanta, considering he's been on the shelf since May 21 with a low back strain. Moreover, the Brewers have Bryse Wilson and Jakob Junis on hand as multi-inning options out of the bullpen, so the team doesn't have as much of a need for Ross to take on a significant pitch count in his first start with the big club in more than two months.

Gomber (2-7) allowed three runs on six hits and a walk while striking out six over 3.2 innings to take the loss Sunday versus the Giants.

Gomber needed 85 pitches (51 strikes) to get his 11 outs. The Giants put up all three runs on his line over the first two innings, and the Rockies were unable to catch up. Over five appearances in July, Gomber allowed 16 runs across 27.1 innings, though he had a respectable 22:3 K:BB in that span. The southpaw is now at a 4.79 ERA, 1.32 WHIP and 78:27 K:BB through 109 innings over 20 starts. Gomber's playing on a one-year contract this season, so it's possible the 30-year-old gets traded by Tuesday's deadline.

Hicks allowed two runs on three hits and struck out one over two innings during Sunday's 5-4 win over the Rockies.

Hicks' move to the bullpen is likely to be permanent for the remainder of 2024, though he's still stretched out enough to provide some length. He was the fourth of six pitchers the Giants deployed in Sunday's true bullpen game, though his struggles from recent weeks as a starter followed him to his new relief role. The right-hander has allowed 14 runs over his last 15 innings while posting a 15:8 K:BB in that span. He's at a 4.11 ERA, 1.39 WHIP and 91:41 K:BB through 100.2 innings this season, making this the first year he's topped 100 frames in the majors and the first time he's done it at any level since 2017. However, without a rotation spot or a clear path to high-leverage relief work, Hicks' fantasy value is essentially gone in most formats.

Herz allowed two runs on three hits and a walk while striking out eight over five innings in a no-decision versus the Cardinals on Sunday.

Herz gave up loud contact early, allowing a solo home run to Willson Contreras in the first inning and an RBI triple to Pedro Pages in the second. It got better after that, as Herz retired nine of the last 10 batters he faced and ended with 56 of 79 pitches landing for strikes. The southpaw has pitched into the sixth inning just twice through nine starts, but he's been able to complete five frames in three of his last four outings. He's posted a 4.79 ERA, 1.33 WHIP and 53:12 K:BB over 41.1 innings in the majors this year. He's fared well enough to stay in the rotation and is tentatively projected for a tough home start versus the Brewers in his next appearance.

Mikolas allowed three runs on seven hits and a walk while striking out three over six innings in a no-decision versus the Nationals on Sunday.

Mikolas left with the Cardinals behind by a run, but they tied the game in the seventh inning and walked it off in the ninth. The veteran right-hander posted a quality start in four of his five outings in July, though his efforts were tarnished a bit by a six-run mishap versus the Cubs just before the All-Star break. He's now at a 4.99 ERA, 1.23 WHIP and 83:20 K:BB through 124.1 innings over 22 starts this season. Mikolas is projected to make his next start at Wrigley Field against the Cubs.

Vasquez (3-6) took the loss Sunday against the Orioles, allowing six earned runs on four hits and four walks while striking out two batters in two innings.

Vasquez made it through the first two innings without allowing a run, but a disastrous third inning cut his day short. The 25-year-old failed to record an out in the third, yielding four earned runs before exiting the game with two runners on base, both of whom would come around to score. The right-hander struggled with control, walking four batters while throwing just 55 percent of his pitches for strikes. Vasquez had been on a roll before Sunday's outing, pitching to a 1.71 ERA in 26.1 innings over his previous five starts. Vasquez will look to bounce back in his next start, currently scheduled for next weekend versus the Rockies.

Peterson (5-1) was saddled with the loss Sunday, allowing four runs on four hits and three walks over five innings against Atlanta. He struck out seven.

Peterson faced just one batter over the minimum through three frames but allowed six of the first seven batters to reach base during a four-run fourth inning that led to Peterson taking his first loss of the season. It's only the second time in 10 starts Peterson has allowed more than two earned runs. He'll carry a 3.52 ERA and 1.47 WHIP into his next start, scheduled to take place in Anaheim against the Angels.

Allard came away a the no-decision in Sunday's loss to the Guardians, allowing three earned runs on six hits and zero walks while striking out one in four innings.

Called up to fill Ranger Suarez's (back) rotation spot, Allard underwhelmed in his 2024 debut, inducing just three swinging strikes en route to one strikeout. The southpaw managed to make it through the first three frames unscathed before surrendering a three-run home run to Jhonkensy Noel in the fourth inning. With a career 6.10 ERA and 1.43 WHIP across 245 innings, the 26-year-old Allard won't be a recommended fantasy option moving forward.

Cobb (hip/shoulder) popped a blister on his right index finger during his final rehab start Friday, which will push back his season debut from the two-game series against Oakland on Tuesday and Wednesday, Shayna Rubin of the San Francisco Chronicle reports.

It's yet another delay for the veteran right-hander, who has been on the shelf all season due to hip and shoulder injuries. The blister isn't expected to be a significant hurdle for Cobb, however, and he should still be able to make his season debut during next weekend's series at Cincinnati.