MLB Player News

Palmquist will serve as the Nationals' opening pitcher for Tuesday's game against the Phillies, Mark Zuckerman of NatsJournal.com reports.

Palmquist hasn't covered more than 3.1 innings in any of his prior five opener assignments, so that workload likely represents the upper range of what he'll handle Tuesday. Zack Littell is slated to pitch in bulk relief behind Palmquist and is the Nationals pitcher most likely to qualify for a win.

The Angels recalled Johnson from Triple-A Salt Lake on Monday, Jeff Fletcher of The Orange County Register reports.

The 23-year-old was optioned to the minors Friday but will quickly rejoin the Halos to fill out the roster after Monday's trade deadline. Johnson was in the starting rotation prior to his demotion and surrendered 13 runs in his past two starts. The Angels have an available rotation spot in the wake of Jose Soriano being traded to the Blue Jays, though it's unclear if Johnson will reclaim a starting role or instead work out of the bullpen.

Walston (elbow) will begin a rehab assignment Tuesday, Jack Sommers of SI.com reports.

Walston is finally rehab to pitch in official games following a long rehab from Tommy John surgery. The left-hander has a chance to contribute for the Diamondbacks in September, though he's not a given to rejoin the major-league roster once his rehab assignment concludes.

Burnes (elbow/teres major) will throw a bullpen session Tuesday, Jack Sommers of SI.com reports.

Burnes suffered a teres major strain while throwing to hitters in June, delaying his Tommy John surgery rehab. He resumed throwing on flat ground July 10 and is now ready to get back on a mound again. A plan for Burnes to face hitters again will be mapped out following Tuesday's mound work. Burnes is aiming to rejoin the Diamondbacks by early September, though that might be optimistic given where he's at in his throwing program.

Imai didn't factor into the decision Monday against the Blue Jays after striking out five across three perfect innings in relief.

Imai was stellar in his first appearance out of the bullpen for the Astros, as he held Toronto without a baserunner for three innings while striking out the final five batters he faced. It's certainly an encouraging development for Imai, who struggled to a 7.71 ERA across 11.2 innings in his last four starts. In the wake of Monday's successful performance, Houston figures to keep Imai in a bulk-relief role for the time being. Overall, the right-hander carries a 6-4 record with a 5.55 ERA, 1.46 WHIP and 77:40 K:BB across 61.2 innings this season.

King (6-8) took the loss Monday, allowing three runs on five hits and four walks over five-plus innings against Arizona. He struck out five.

The right-hander was done in by a three-run homer surrendered to Tim Tawa in the fourth inning. King threw 66 of 104 pitches for strikes, issuing four walks for the sixth time this season. Through 130.1 innings (23 starts), the 31-year-old owns a 3.45 ERA, 1.20 WHIP and 114:54 K:BB. His next start is tentatively scheduled for Saturday against Houston.

Pfaadt (6-1) earned the win Monday, allowing one unearned run on five hits and a walk over 6.2 innings against the Padres. He struck out three.

Pfaadt kept the Padres offense quiet, with the lone run he surrendered in the seventh inning being unearned. The right-hander has been incredible since being recalled June 30, compiling a 6-0 record with a 1.55 ERA and 1.03 WHIP across seven starts spanning 40.2 innings. Overall, Pfaadt owns a 3.66 ERA, 1.26 WHIP and 52:22 K:BB across 78.2 innings (20 appearances, 10 starts) and is tentatively slated to pitch Saturday against the Dodgers.

Lorenzen (3-10) took the loss Monday, allowing seven runs on seven hits and three walks over three innings against the Rays. He did not record a strikeout.

Lorenzen was rocked from the outset, giving up a two-run homer to Junior Caminero in the first inning before surrendering five more runs over the next two frames. The veteran hurler has struggled mightily this season, allowing seven-plus runs in five different outings. With a 6.94 ERA, 1.85 WHIP and 80:43 K:BB across 107.2 innings (24 appearances), the right-hander is tentatively slated to pitch Sunday against the Cardinals.

Lauer is expected to remain in the Dodgers rotation after Emmet Sheehan was optioned to Triple-A Oklahoma City on Monday, David Vassegh of AM 570 LA Sports reports.

Lauer's starting role was in jeopardy after Los Angeles acquired star hurler Tarik Skubal via trade Saturday. However, Sheehan's demotion to the minors should salvage Lauer's rotation spot for the time being. Lauer has been great since joining Los Angeles in mid-May, posting a 2.96 ERA, 0.96 WHIP and 30:13 K:BB while going 5-0 over nine starts spanning 51.2 innings. With that said, Lauer is likely to be the odd man out when/if the Dodgers are able to eventually get all of their starters back to full health. Shohei Ohtani (knee), Blake Snell (elbow) and Tyler Glasnow (back) are all currently working their way back from injuries.

Javier (1-2) took the loss Monday, allowing three runs on seven hits and no walks over six innings against Toronto. He struck out two.

After mostly working out of the bullpen since returning from a right shoulder strain in early July, Javier drew the start Monday and recorded a quality start, though a lack of run support saddled him with the loss. On the year, the 29-year-old owns a 6.59 ERA, 1.68 WHIP and 23:15 K:BB across 27.1 innings (nine outings, five starts). Should Javier remain in the rotation, he's lined up to take the mound Sunday against San Diego.