MLB Player News

Herz (1-1) earned the win against the Marlins on Saturday, allowing one hit and no walks while striking out 13 over six scoreless innings.

Herz was perfect other than a single by Jake Burger in the fifth and cruised to his first major-league win. In only his third career start, Herz registered a whopping 21 swinging strikes on 84 pitches. According to Sarah Langs of MLB.com, he is only the second pitcher in history to record 13 strikeouts and no walks in one of his first three career outings. Herz's minor-league 12.9 K/9 indicates he has real potential to rack up punchouts, and he now owns a 3.77 ERA, 1.19 WHIP and 21 strikeouts in his 14.1 innings for the Nationals in 2024. He tentatively lines up to face the Rockies at Coors Field next week.

Carrasco (2-6) took the loss Saturday as the Guardians fell 5-0 to the Blue Jays, coughing up five runs on six hits and two walks over five innings. He struck out two.

The veteran righty didn't give up a lot of hard contact, as the only extra-base hit off him was a second-inning double by Daulton Varsho, but Carrasco still got tagged for at least five runs for the fourth time in his last eight starts. With Gavin Williams (elbow) likely to be back before the end of the month, Carrasco's time in the rotation could be growing short, but he'll get at least one more turn. He'll take a 5.80 ERA, 1.46 WHIP and 44:21 K:BB through 59 innings into his next outing, which lines up for a rematch with the Jays next weekend back in Cleveland.

Rodriguez (8-2) earned the win against the Phillies on Saturday, allowing two runs on seven hits and one walk with six strikeouts over seven innings.

Rodriguez allowed runs on an RBI double by Alec Bohm in the first inning and a solo home run by Edmundo Sosa in the second but rebounded with five scoreless frames to earn his third consecutive win. This was the first time Rodriguez completed seven innings in a start this season, but he has pitched into the sixth in all but two of his 12 starts so far. On the year, Rodriguez now owns a 3.20 ERA, 1.22 WHIP and 77:23 K:BB and tentatively lines up to start next week against the Yankees.

Imanaga (7-1) picked up the win in Saturday's 5-1 victory over the Cardinals, allowing one run on four hits over seven innings. He struck out six without walking a batter.

The 30-year-old rookie delivered his eighth quality start in his first 13 big-league outings on 103 pitches (69 strikes), with the only run against Imanaga coming after a leadoff double by Alec Burleson in the fourth inning. Imanaga will take a 1.89 ERA, 0.99 WHIP and 78:11 K:BB through 76 innings into his next outing, which is scheduled to come at home next weekend against the Mets.

Walker dropped to 3-2 on the season in Saturday's 6-2 loss to the Orioles, allowing three runs on six hits and two walks with four strikeouts over 5.2 innings.

Walker was given an early 2-0 lead, but the Orioles chipped away with a sacrifice fly in the third inning and a solo home run by Anthony Santander in the fourth. Santander then broke the tie with a sacrifice fly in the sixth, and Walker was pulled with one out to go in the frame at 92 pitches. Walker has pitched into the sixth inning in his past two starts but has not recorded a quality start or a win since May 11. On the season, he now owns a 5.33 ERA, 1.45 WHIP and 40:18 K:BB in 49 innings and tentatively lines up to start next weekend against the Diamondbacks.

Kelly (shoulder) is expected to be held out through the All-Star break, Jack Sommers of SI.com reports Saturday.

Manager Torey Lovullo noted that Kelly hasn't thrown beyond 75 feet yet and is being brought along slowly. The 35-year-old has been sidelined since late April and didn't start a throwing program until June 4. If he does end up sitting through the All-Star break, Kelly wouldn't be back until July 19 at the earliest.

Padres manager Mike Shildt said Friday that Musgrove (elbow) is getting closer to picking up a ball and starting a throwing program, per MLB.com.

Musgrove was diagnosed with a bone spur in his right elbow in early June and consequently received PRP and cortisone injections. While Shildt said Friday that the veteran pitcher could resume throwing soon, he didn't give specifics on a timeline. Given that Musgrove dealt with a similar injury in May, the Padres are unlikely to rush him back, and he's probably at least a month away from a return.

Clevinger (elbow) is expected to make two starts at Triple-A Charlotte before returning to the White Sox during a seven-game homestand that begins June 24, Scott Merkin of MLB.com reports.

Clevinger is lined up for starts with Charlotte on Tuesday and June 23 and is expected to join the White Sox in the days after his June 23 outing. The 33-year-old was placed on the IL with right elbow inflammation May 28 but has been facing batters since June 7. Once healthy, Clevinger could knock Jonathan Cannon or Drew Thorpe out of the rotation.

Darvish (groin) threw a bullpen session Friday, Kevin Acee of The San Diego Union-Tribune reports.

Darvish simulated three innings in the session, tossing 60 pitches. The veteran hurler said before throwing the bullpen that he expects the session to be sufficient ramp-up to allow him to return to the Padres' rotation without a rehab assignment. Per Acee, Darvish could start a game during San Diego's homestand against Milwaukee that begins next Thursday.

Yankees manager Aaron Boone stated early this week that Brubaker (elbow) is "getting ready to go out on an assignment," per MLB.com.

Brubaker is over 14 months removed from Tommy John surgery and has been throwing to live hitters for about five weeks. The 30-year-old hasn't pitched in a game since the 2022 season, so he'll presumably need a rehab assignment consisting of several starts. Brubaker could be ready to join the big-league club around the All-Star break, but given the success of the team's starting staff thus far and the impending return of Gerrit Cole (elbow), there doesn't appear to be room in the rotation for Brubaker at the moment.