MLB Player News

Meyer started and covered 3.1 innings for Triple-A Jacksonville in Saturday's 3-2 win over Durham, striking out seven while allowing one earned run on six hits and one walk.

The Marlins will need a fifth starter for the first time in the second half Tuesday versus the Orioles, but Meyer's appearance for the Triple-A club over the weekend takes him out of the mix for a call-up. Meyer could still be promoted to the big leagues at some point in the near future, but the Marlins have thus far been reluctant to tip their hand regarding when exactly their top pitching prospect might return to the majors. The right-hander broke camp with the big club and turned in a 2.12 ERA and 0.82 WHIP in 17 innings over his first three starts, but he was demoted to Triple-A on April 15 and has remained there ever since. He posted underwhelming numbers in his first two months at Jacksonville while sticking to a strict once-a-week pitching schedule, but he's settled in nicely since the beginning of July, logging a 0.95 ERA, 1.26 WHIP and 23:6 K:BB over 19 innings.

Feltner (1-10) allowed three runs (two earned) on six hits and a walk over seven frames Sunday, striking out six and taking a loss against the Giants.

Feltner served up two solo homers in the loss, including Jorge Soler's leadoff shot to open the game. Feltner has fallen to 0-9 over his last 17 appearances since his lone win of 2024. However, he's looked much better as of late; Feltner has posted a 2.83 ERA over his last five starts. His season ERA sits at 5.19 with a 97:34 K:BB through 109.1 innings. Feltner's next outing is projected to be a rematch in San Francisco.

Birdsong (2-0) allowed two runs on two hits and two walks over six innings Sunday, striking out 12 and earning a win over the Rockies.

Birdsong carved through Colorado's lineup and turned in the best start of his young MLB career. Prior to Sunday's performance, he hadn't struck out more than five batters in an outing. The only damage against him was a two-run shot by Brendan Rodgers in the fourth inning. Birdsong forced a whopping 27 swinging strikes, including 12 with the curveball and 10 with the slider. He's sporting a 3.55 ERA with a 30:12 K:BB through 25.1 innings. Birdsong's next outing is expected to be a rematch at home against the Rockies.

Yamamoto (tricep) said Sunday that he's been playing catch out to 200 feet, but he has yet to receive clearance for mound work and admitted that he's without a clear timeline to return from the 60-day injured list, MLB.com reports.

Yamamoto is eligible to come off the IL on Aug. 15, but the Dodgers don't seem to be counting on him returning at that time, with Alden Gonzalez of ESPN.com instead suggesting that the team is "holding out hope" for him to resume pitching in the big leagues in late August or early September. The Dodgers will get two key members of the rotation in Tyler Glasnow (back) and Clayton Kershaw (shoulder) back from the IL this week, and the club is seemingly banking on those additions being enough to stabilize the pitching staff until Yamamoto eventually returns to the mix. After signing Yamamoto to a lavish deal this past winter, the Dodgers are cognizant of prioritizing his long-term health and ensuring that he's in optimal health by the time the playoffs begin in October. Yamamoto still appears on pace to return before the end of the regular season, but if absence extends into September, fantasy managers in redraft leagues with limited or no IL spots might not be able to justify holding him.

Pfaadt allowed a hit and a walk over seven scoreless innings in a no-decision against the Cubs on Sunday. He struck out seven in the extra-innings loss.

Pfaadt was dominant, as the only hit the Cubs could muster against him was an infield single. However, Shota Imanaga dealt seven innings of one-run ball with 10 punchouts, which prevented Pfaadt from stringing together consecutive wins. Pfaadt forced 13 swinging strikes and allowed only one runner to reach scoring position. Over his last four outings, he's given up just two runs over 23.1 innings, lowering his season ERA to 3.74 over 20 starts. Pfaadt's next outing is lined up to be at home against the Pirates.

Atlanta optioned Elder to Triple-A Gwinnett on Sunday.

Elder served as the 27th man for Atlanta in Saturday's doubleheader with the Cardinals and started the second game of the twin bill, taking a loss while serving up six earned runs on eight hits and one walk over five innings. Though he'll head back to the minors, Elder could garner consideration for a return to the Atlanta rotation as a replacement for Max Fried (forearm), who was placed on the 15-day injured list Sunday. However, since Elder would be on only three days' rest when Fried's next turn in the rotation is scheduled to come up Wednesday, expect Atlanta to have another pitcher start that game.

Triple-A Gwinnett reinstated Anderson (elbow) from its 60-day injured list Thursday.

Anderson made his 2024 debut for Gwinnett on Saturday, when he struck out four over 3.2 innings while giving up four earned runs on six hits and one walk in a no-decision against Charlotte. Before being activated from the IL, Anderson made four rehab starts across three levels, producing a 2.19 ERA and 10:1 K:BB in 12.1 innings over those outings. Anderson owns a 3.99 ERA over 266.1 career innings in the majors and still retains a spot on Atlanta's 40-man roster, but the 26-year-old hasn't appeared in the big leagues since 2022 after opening the 2023 season at Gwinnett and making one start before requiring Tommy John surgery last April. He'll likely need to string together several quality performances at Gwinnett before making a legitimate case for a return to the big leagues.

Atlanta manager Brian Snitker said Sunday that an MRI cleared Fried of any soft-tissue damage before he was placed on the 15-day injured list with left forearm neuritis, David O'Brien of The Athletic reports.

Though anything forearm- or elbow-related for a pitcher always brings some level of concern, the fact that Fried avoided a ligament, tendon or muscular injury following his MRI offers hope that he'll steer clear of extended absence. At the same time, Snitker said that Fried is without an official timeline for a return from the IL and won't resume throwing until his symptoms have dissipated. Fried's injury first cropped up when he felt something in his forearm while warming up for the All-Star Game on Tuesday, but the southpaw was still able to make a one-inning appearance in relief for the National League.

Civale did not factor into the decision Sunday, allowing five runs on four hits and four walks over 4.1 innings against the Twins. He struck out four.

Civale allowed homers to Byron Buxton and Trevor Larnach, with Larnach's two-run blast in the fifth representing the biggest blow. The five runs allowed represented the most Civale has given up since the beginning of May. It was also the second time he's allowed multiple homers over his first three starts in Milwaukee, matching his previous total through the first 17 outings when he was still a member of the Rays. Civale has compiled 15.2 innings since joining the Brewers, carrying a 5.74 ERA and 1.53 WHIP. He is slated for a much softer matchup in his next start, tentatively slated to take place at home against the Marlins.

Imanaga allowed one run on two hits across seven innings but did not factor into the decision in Sunday's 2-1, 10-inning win over the Diamondbacks. He walked one and struck out 10.

Imanaga was virtually flawless outside of a Eugenio Suarez solo home run in the seventh inning, but the Cubs didn't score any runs until the ninth, which denied the lefty a chance at his ninth win of the season. Imanaga has had a great debut campaign overall with a 2.86 ERA through 18 starts, and he's been particularly sharp lately, allowing just one run over 13 total innings with 16 strikeouts in his last two outings. He's making a push for NL Rookie of the Year, though Paul Skenes has been outstanding as well and likely has the inside track. Either way, Imanaga has been a solid fantasy asset, and he'll look to keep rolling in his next scheduled start, which is penciled in for Saturday against the Royals.