MLB Player News

Herz (1-2) allowed four runs on six hits and two walks while striking out one batter over 3.1 innings in a loss to San Diego on Wednesday.

Herz made it through the first inning unscathed before giving up a pair of runs in the second. He kept the Padres off the scoreboard in the third but gave up two more runs in the fourth inning before being pulled with one out in the frame. Herz was magnificent in tossing six one-hit, scoreless frames with 13 strikeouts June 15 against Miami, but he's struggled in his two starts since, allowing eight runs (seven earned) across seven innings while notching just six punchouts. It remains to be seen whether he'll stick in the rotation when Josiah Gray (elbow) and/or Trevor Williams (elbow) return, though Herz is probably good for at least his next turn given that Washington will play on 17 straight days, beginning Friday, leading up to the All-Star break.

Cease (7-6) earned the win over Washington on Wednesday, pitching seven scoreless innings during which he allowed one hit and issued two walks while striking out nine batters.

The only hit Cease surrendered during his seven frames was a two-out single by Nick Senzel in the fifth inning. Remarkably, this was the San Diego right-hander's third outing this season during which he gave up exactly one hit in seven frames, and he unsurprisingly has picked up a victory in all three of those starts. Cease had been struggling coming into Wednesday, giving up 11 runs over his previous two starts covering 8.1 innings during his worst two-game stretch of the campaign. He's had a few clunkers among his 17 appearances this season but has solid numbers overall with a 3.84 ERA, 1.06 WHIP and 125:30 K:BB across 98.1 frames.

Elder (1-3) allowed two runs on four hits and struck out four without walking a batter over six innings, but he took the loss in Game 2 of Wednesday's doubleheader versus the Cardinals.

Elder turned in his second quality start of the season while stepping in for a spot start. This was his first big-league outing since May 19, but it's expected he'll return to Triple-A Gwinnett on Thursday after being appointed the 27th man for Wednesday's twin bill. He has a 5.76 ERA, 1.69 WHIP and 23:11 K:BB over 29.2 innings across six starts in the majors this season.

Manager Dave Martinez said Wednesday that Gray (elbow) will make one or two more rehab starts with Triple-A Rochester, Bobby Blanco of MASNSports.com reports.

Gray gave up one run in six innings during his most recent rehab start Tuesday, but the Nationals will keep him in the minors for at least one more outing before having him rejoin their rotation. Assuming he maintains a traditional four-day rest period between starts, Gray is lined up to make his next start Sunday and could then return to Washington on July 5.

Arrighetti (4-6) picked up the win Wednesday, scattering three hits over seven scoreless innings in a 7-1 victory over the Rockies. He struck out 10 without walking a batter.

The rookie right-hander put together the best effort of his brief career, setting a new career high in Ks while generating an eye-popping 35 called or swinging strikes among his 89 pitches. The quality start was only Arrighetti's second in 14 trips to the mound this season, but he has given up three runs or less in six of his last seven outings, posting a 4.18 ERA, 1.39 WHIP and 39:18 K:BB through 32.1 innings over that stretch. He'll look to build on this performance in his next start, which lines up to come on the road early next week in Toronto.

Feltner (1-7) took the loss Wednesday, giving up four runs on seven hits and a walk over six-plus innings as the Rockies fell 7-1 to the Astros. He struck out two.

The 27-year-old righty had a quality start going through six innings, but Feltner got sent back out for the seventh and gave up back-to-back singles before getting the hook, with both runners coming around to score in a four-run frame for Houston. It's the sixth time in his last eight outings that Feltner has been tagged for at least four earned runs, and on the season he carried a rough 6.02 ERA, 1.47 WHIP and 75:23 K:BB through 86.2 innings. He lines up to make his next start at home at Coors Field early next week against the Brewers.

Singer came away with a no-decision in Wednesday's 5-1 win over the Marlins, allowing one run on five hits and a walk over seven innings. He struck out five.

The right-hander delivered his sixth quality start of the season on 92 pitches (63 strikes) and completed seven innings for the first time since his first outing of the year, March 31 against the Twins. Despite the impressive performance, Singer left the mound in line for his fifth loss before the Royals' offense woke up in the bottom of the eighth inning. He'll take a 3.12 ERA, 1.18 WHIP and 85:26 K:BB through 89.1 innings into his next start, which is scheduled to come at home early next week against the Rays.

Bellozo came away with a no-decision in Wednesday's 5-1 loss to the Royals, allowing just two hits over five scoreless innings. He struck out two without walking a batter.

The 24-year-old righty has walked just one batter over his last three starts at Triple-A prior to his promotion, and Bellozo brought that sharp command with him into his big-league debut, tossing 46 of 72 pitches for strikes. He pitched well enough to get the win and left the mound with the Marlins nursing a 1-0 lead, but Huascar Brazoban blew the save in the eighth inning. Bellozo figures to get at least one more turn in Miami's injury-ravaged rotation, lining him up for another start early next week at home against the Red Sox.

Knack is scheduled to start Friday's game against the Giants in San Francisco, Bill Plunkett of The Orange County Register reports.

Due to off days Thursday and next Monday, the Dodgers could have gotten by with a four-man rotation until next weekend, but Knack will earn another turn as Los Angeles' No. 5 starter coming off a solid showing in his return to the big club last week. After being called up from Triple-A Oklahoma City last Friday, Knack tossed five scoreless innings while taking a no-decision against the Angels. Knack's stay in the rotation will likely last as long as Walker Buehler (hip) is on the injured list.

Priester (lat) will begin a rehab assignment with Triple-A Indianapolis on Wednesday, Alex Stumpf of MLB.com reports.

Priester has been on the 15-day injured list since June 6, but he has been given the green light to test his injured lat in a competitive setting. The Pirates haven't specified how many rehab outings the 24-year-old will need, but it's likely he returns from the IL before the All-Star break.