MLB Player News

Williams did not factor into the decision Thursday against the Twins, allowing just two hits over seven scoreless innings. He struck out 11.

While Cleveland failed to provide Williams with any run support, the right-hander turned in a stellar performance Thursday, as he logged 11 strikeouts for a third straight start and fifth time overall this season. The highlight of Williams' day was his immaculate inning in the fourth, when he struck out Byron Buxton, Ryan Jeffers and Josh Bell on nine pitches. Williams lowered his ERA to 3.78 across 21 starts (126.1 innings) this year with a 1.10 WHIP and 156:37 K:BB. He'll look to keep rolling in his next outing, tentatively lined up to come next week in Cincinnati.

Palmquist will serve as the Nationals' opening pitcher for Friday's game against the Diamondbacks, Kyle Williams of TheBanner.com reports.

Palmquist gave up four earned runs in 1.2 innings the last time he served as an opener Tuesday against the Rockies, but the Nationals will give him another chance to handle the opening frame or two during Friday's contest. Zack Littell is in line to pitch in bulk relief once Palmquist exits the game.

Canning (1-9) took the loss Thursday against Atlanta, allowing five runs (four earned) on five hits across 2.2 innings. He struck out four.

The Padres elected to use an opener ahead of Canning on Thursday, but it didn't seem to help the right-hander. Canning gave up three homers in the loss -- two solo shots before Dominic Smith added a three-run blast in the fourth. Canning has now taken the loss in four consecutive outings while allowing eight earned runs across just 6.1 innings in his last two appearances. His ERA is up to 6.97 across 62 innings this season with a 1.63 WHIP and 63:32 K:BB.

Cardinals manager Oliver Marmol said Thursday that Dobbins will remain with the major-league club for the time being, Jeff Jones of the Belleville News-Democrat reports.

Dobbins tossed six shutout innings Wednesday versus the Angels in what had seemed likely to be just a spot start. He will remain with the big club for now and could get another turn in the rotation next week, though that seems dependent on whether the Cardinals need to use Dobbins' roster spot for a reliever between now and then. A possible trade of Dustin May before the deadline would also open up a rotation spot for Dobbins, who has authored a 3.18 ERA, 1.31 WHIP and 28:10 K:BB across 28.1 innings with St. Louis.

Sale (11-6) earned the win Thursday over the Padres, allowing three runs on five hits and a walk across six innings. He struck out 11.

All of the damage against Sale came with two outs in the second inning -- he issued a bases-loaded walk to Fernando Tatis before giving up a two-run single to Luis Rengifo. However, the veteran southpaw managed to settle in and turn in a quality start while striking out 11, matching a season high. Sale's ERA now sits at 2.19, the second-best mark in the majors, through 19 starts (111 innings), complementing that figure with a 1.05 WHIP and 134:26 K:BB. He's tentatively lined up to face the Mets on the road his next time out.

Blue Jays manager John Schneider indicated Thursday that Scherzer's (back/thumb) next start could be in the majors, Arden Zwelling of Sportsnet.ca reports.

Scherzer struck out seven over five perfect innings in a rehab start with Triple-A Buffalo on Wednesday. He had been slated for one more rehab outing, but the righty's performance Wednesday -- along with the Blue Jays losing long reliever Patrick Corbin (teres major) to injury -- could push up Scherzer's timeline. Scherzer threw only 56 pitches Wednesday, so if he does start Monday against the Nationals, he would be facing a restricted workload. The 41-year-old has missed more than a month with back and thumb problems.

Schlittler is now slated to start Friday in Philadelphia, Chris Kirschner of The Athletic reports.

Will Warren was originally scheduled to make the start Friday, but he was deployed for two-thirds of an inning out of the bullpen in the second game of Wednesday's doubleheader versus Pittsburgh. Consequently, Schlittler -- who had previously been penciled in to start Sunday -- is moving up a couple of days, though he'll still be operating on a normal four days of rest. Schlittler will be looking for better results than in his first start of the second half, when he gave up three runs over 4.1 innings in a loss to the Dodgers.

Warren earned a hold in the second game of a doubleheader against Pittsburgh on Wednesday, allowing one hit and issuing one walk while striking out one batter over two-thirds of an inning.

Warren had been scheduled to start Tuesday, but that game was rained out. Max Fried returned from a lengthy absence to start the second game of Wednesday's twin bill while Gerrit Cole started the matinee, leaving Warren to make his first relief appearance of the season. The right-hander had been penciled in as New York's starter Friday for the opening game of a series in Philadelphia, but the Yankees have since shifted him to Sunday, with Cam Schlittler now scheduled to take the mound Friday and Ryan Weathers following Saturday, per Chris Kirschner of The Athletic.

The Blue Jays placed Corbin on the 15-day injured list Thursday with a left teres major strain.

Manager John Schneider revealed Corbin has been dealing with the injury since before the All-Star break, and the lefty will be shut down for "multiple weeks" after an MRI showed a strain, per Arden Zwelling of Sportsnet.ca. Corbin has been pitching in a long-relief role in July.

Fried didn't factor into the decision in the second game of Wednesday's doubleheader split with the Pirates, allowing one hit and one walk over five scoreless innings. He struck out seven.

While the southpaw got lifted after just 57 pitches (37 strikes) in his first start since May 13, Fried looked to be fully recovered from a bone bruise in his pitching elbow. Over 66.2 innings this season, Fried sports a 2.97 ERA, 0.96 WHIP and 57:20 K:BB, and his return might give the Yankees the luxury of not having to add a starting pitcher at the trade deadline. Fried should get stretched out a little more in his next outing, which is scheduled to come on the road early next week against the White Sox.