MLB Player News

Cavalli (1-0) picked up the win in Saturday's 2-0 victory over the Phillies, allowing seven hits over seven scoreless innings. He struck out five without walking a batter.

It's been a long road back to the big leagues for Cavalli after he made his debut for the Nationals in 2022 and then dealt with serious arm issues, but Saturday he looked like the potential future ace the club thought it was getting when he was selected 22nd overall in the 2020 Draft. Cavalli racked up 32 called or swinging strikes among his 90 pitches (63 total strikes), and he topped out at 99.7 mph on a first-inning sinker to Bryce Harper while still sitting comfortably in 97-98 mph range against the final batter he faced, Edmundo Sosa. Through three starts since his promotion in early August, the 27-year-old righty has a 2.20 ERA, 1.29 WHIP and 14:4 K:BB over 16.1 innings as he stakes a claim to a 2026 rotation spot. He lines up to make his next trip to the mound on the road next weekend in a rematch with the Phillies.

Walker (4-6) took the loss Saturday as the Phillies fell 2-0 to the Nationals, giving up two runs on six hits and two walks over 6.2 innings. He struck out three.

The veteran righty fired 60 of 94 pitches for strikes en route to his third straight quality start, but Philadelphia's hitters couldn't solve Washington starter Cade Cavalli, giving Walker no margin for error. He appeared set to lose his rotation spot with Aaron Nola (ribs) poised to come off the IL on Sunday, but with Zack Wheeler now dealing with a blood clot in his shoulder, the Phillies will need Walker to remain in his current role. Over six outings since the All-Star break, Walker sports a 2.97 ERA, 1.26 WHIP and 16:4 K:BB in 33.1 innings. He'll look for more run support in his next trip to the mound, which is scheduled to come at home next weekend in a rematch with the Nats.

Lauer (8-2) picked up the win Saturday, allowing one run on four hits and three walks over five innings in a 14-2 rout of the Rangers. He struck out four.

The southpaw tossed an inefficient 102 pitches (63 strikes), but Lauer lasted long enough to get the win and benefit from massive run support by the Blue Jays. He remains undefeated since the All-Star break, going 4-0 over his last six starts with a 2.73 ERA, but Lauer's control may be eroding -- he has an 8:7 K:BB in eight innings over his last two outings. With Shane Bieber (elbow) potentially set to make his Toronto debut next weekend, it's not clear whether Lauer will remain in the rotation, or move into a long-relief role despite his success as a starter.

Corbin (6-9) took the loss Saturday, coughing up seven runs on eight hits and two walks over 2.1 innings in a 14-2 rout at the hands of the Blue Jays. He struck out two.

The veteran lefty held Toronto off the board in the first inning, but a six-run second by the home squad quickly took the suspense out of the game. It was Corbin's shortest and worst start of the season, and while it was the first time since June 23 he's been tagged for more than three earned runs, he appears to be fading -- he's failed to last five innings in three straight trips to the mound. Corbin will take a 4.45 ERA, 1.38 WHIP and 99:40 K:BB through 119.1 innings into his next outing, which lines up to come on the road next week in Kansas City.

Imanaga didn't factor into the decision in Saturday's 3-1 win over the Pirates, allowing one run on three hits and two walks over seven innings. He struck out six.

The southpaw's only real mistake resulted in a Tommy Pham solo shot in the fourth inning, but that was enough to deny Imanaga his ninth win of the season as the Cubs didn't take the lead until the bottom of the eighth inning. He delivered his third straight quality start on 85 pitches (57 strikes), and since returning from a hamstring strain in late June, Imanaga has posted a 3.24 ERA, 0.84 WHIP and dazzling 51:5 K:BB over 58.1 innings. He'll look to keep rolling in his next outing, which is scheduled to come at home next week against the Brewers in a crucial NL Central battle.

Burrows came away with a no-decision in Saturday's 3-1 loss to the Cubs, allowing one run on five hits and two walks over five innings. He struck out four.

The rookie right-hander left the mound after just 68 pitches (45 strikes), and the Pirates may be monitoring his workload given that he threw only 54.2 innings across all levels in 2024 and is already up to 102.2 innings between Triple-A and the majors this season. Burrows was showing signs of fatigue in his prior two outings, surrendering four homers and 10 runs in 9.2 frames, but he didn't give up an extra-base hit to the Cubs on Saturday. He'll look for his first win since June 4 in his next start, which currently lines up to come at home next weekend against the Rockies.

The Phillies placed Wheeler on the 15-day injured list Saturday after he was diagnosed with a blood clot in his right shoulder.

The issue may partially explain why Wheeler has uncharacteristically struggled of late; over his past six starts, he's posted a 4.54 ERA and 1.25 WHIP. According to Jeff Passan of ESPN.com, a timetable for the right-hander hurler's return is unclear, and how soon Wheeler is able to throw again likely depends on how the blood clots respond to treatment. The IL stint no doubt damages Wheeler's run at the NL Cy Young Award, as he had been a top contender after registering a 2.71 ERA and 0.94 WHIP along with an MLB-leading 195 strikeouts over 24 starts spanning 149.2 innings.

Wells (elbow) made his third rehab start for Triple-A Norfolk on Friday, allowing three runs on six hits and one walk in five innings. He struck out five.

Friday marked Wells' fourth rehab minor-league outing overall as he makes his way back from last summer's UCL surgery. He was able to stretch out to 77 pitches in the start, but Wells is expected to make one or two more rehab appearances before being reinstated from the injured list, per MLB.com. Though Wells is getting built up as a starter, it's unclear if the Orioles will have a rotation spot available for him once he returns, so he could be a candidate to pitch in long relief.

Senzatela (finger) will be activated from the 15-day injured list to start Sunday's game against the Diamondbacks in Colorado, Christian Saez of TheDNVR.com reports.

Senzatela landed on the injured list Aug. 2 due to a blister on his pitching hand, but he appears to be past that issue and will be activated after a minimum-length stay on the shelf. The right-hander has struggled this season, posting a 7.34 ERA, 1.91 WHIP and 55:38 K:BB over 103 innings spanning 22 appearances (21 starts). He won't be a recommended streaming option in his return or likely at any point moving forward.

Prielipp has been promoted to Triple-A St. Paul from Double-A Wichita.

Prielipp had a 3.65 ERA at Double-A with 27.0 percent strikeout rate and 6.7 percent walk rate. Prielipp has a lengthy injury history that includes Tommy John surgery in 2021 and an internal brace surgery in 2023. The organization has him on an innings limit this season, and he hasn't gone more than 4.2 innings or 76 pitches in any start. It's not clear how much he'll pitch at Triple-A the rest of the season, but this show's the 2022 second-round draft pick could be the team's plans for 2026.