MLB Player News

Mathews could be used at times in a piggyback role with Kyle Leahy down the stretch, Jeff Jones of the Belleville News-Democrat reports.

The Cardinals plan to curtail Leahy's workload, and Mathews should be the biggest beneficiary. It's unclear what exactly that will look like, but it could be piggyback starts, spot starts or perhaps the implementation of a six-man rotation. Mathews has made two starts for the Cardinals this year, yielding three runs with a 10:6 K:BB over nine innings. The left-hander has logged a 3.27 ERA and 120:61 K:BB over 99 innings covering 21 starts at Triple-A Memphis in 2026.

Leahy's innings are expected to be "significantly curtailed," possibly as soon as Sunday in Philadelphia, Jeff Jones of the Belleville News-Democrat reports.

Leahy is at 122.1 innings this season, which is already a 34.3-inning jump from last year. His career high in innings is 144.2, but that came back in 2022 in the minors, the last year he was used as a full-time starter. The Cardinals currently have no plans to shut Leahy down completely, but he could make some piggyback starts or perhaps shift to the bullpen. The right-hander has shown no signs of tiring in his transition back to the rotation, logging a pristine 1.38 ERA, 0.96 WHIP and 52:9 K:BB through 52.1 innings over his last 10 starts, but the Cardinals want to be proactive in managing his workload. Quinn Mathews stands to benefit, as this would allow him to make multiple starts or piggyback appearances down the stretch.

Webb (shoulder) is listed as the Giants' probable starting pitcher for Friday's game in Boston.

Webb took a comebacker off his right shoulder during his previous start last Saturday against the Rockies, but he looks like he won't miss a turn through the rotation. The right-hander shouldn't be in store for any major workload restrictions Friday and will look to continue his strong run since the All-Star break. Through his last six outings, Webb has gone 3-0 with a 2.56 ERA, 0.83 WHIP and 30:6 K:BB in 38.2 innings.

Leiter (ankle) allowed five runs (four earned) on three hits and two walks while striking out five over three-plus innings for Double-A Frisco on Thursday.

Leiter made his second rehab start for the RoughRiders and threw 59 pitches (38 strikes). The right-hander was sharp the first two innings before unraveling in the third. He walked the leadoff batter in the fourth before being removed. Leiter told Kennedi Landry of MLB.com that there have been no discussions about continuing his assignment, but given his pitch count, another outing would not be surprising. The 26-year-old is rehabbing from June 23 arthroscopic surgery to remove a loose body in his right ankle.

Lambert (8-7) allowed nine runs on eight hits and two walks while striking out three batters over 3.2 innings in a loss to the Angels on Thursday.

Lambert fell behind 1-0 in the first inning, but that looked like a pitching masterclass compared to how the rest of his outing went. The right-hander gave up three runs in the second frame and five in the fourth, though three of those runs were charged to him after he had given way to a reliever. Overall, the nine runs were by far a season-worst mark for Lambert, who entered Thursday having given up no more than two earned runs in any of his previous eight starts. The disastrous performance pushed the veteran hurler's season ERA from a solid 3.11 all the way up to 3.68. Lambert will try to bounce back in his next start, which is lined up to be a matchup against the Yankees in New York.

Rodriguez (4-5) earned the win over Houston on Thursday, allowing two unearned runs on five hits and two walks while striking out six batters over seven innings.

Rodriguez looked like he could be in for a rough night when he allowed the first three batters he faced to reach base via two walks and a single. An ensuing error by third baseman Vaughn Grissom resulted in a Houston run, but the right-hander settled down and allowed just one more run to cross the plate in the frame. That ended up being all the offense the Astros would post against Rodriguez, while the Angels exploded for a season-high 18 runs. The victory was the first for Rodriguez since July 10, as he struggled to a 6.75 ERA, 1.43 WHIP and 0-3 record across his first six starts following the All-Star break. He's at a 6.41 ERA through 14 outings in his first campaign with the Angels, but Rodriguez will look to build upon Thursday's strong start in his next outing, which is set to come at home next week against the Guardians.

Alvarez (2-5) took the loss against Texas on Thursday, allowing one run on four hits and three walks while striking out five batters over five innings.

Alvarez struggled a bit with his control, throwing only 41 of 75 pitches for strikes and issuing three walks. However, he allowed just one run -- on a solo homer by Corey Seager. That was enough to send him to his second straight loss, however, since the Nationals couldn't muster any runs against Jacob deGrom or three Rangers relievers. Alvarez has been hurt by a lack of support of late -- he's gone at least five frames and given up two or fewer runs in each of his four starts so far in August, but he has an 0-2 record during that span. He'll look for a better outcome in his next outing, which is scheduled to be a favorable home matchup against Colorado.

DeGrom (9-8) tossed six scoreless innings, allowing one hit and issuing one walk while striking out 10 batters in a victory over Washington on Thursday.

DeGrom exited his previous start after just two frames due to right triceps fatigue, and he started Thursday on six days of rest. The arm issue didn't seem to be a concern at all for the veteran hurler, as he completed six innings for the first time since June 30 and tied a season-high mark with 10 punchouts while racking up 17 whiffs. His workload wasn't affected at all by the bout of triceps fatigue -- in fact, deGrom's 94 pitches were the most he's logged over his past five starts. Fantasy managers who roster deGrom should be able to take a sigh of relief after his dominant performance Thursday, and the right-hander is next lined up for a road tilt against the White Sox.

Bradish (7-12) took the loss against the Yankees on Thursday, allowing five runs (three earned) on eight hits and two walks while striking out five batters over 5.2 innings.

Bradish faced the minimum over the first two frames before giving up three runs on five hits in the third. He managed to bounce back for two scoreless innings thereafter, but the righty's outing came to an end after he served up a pair of solo homers in the sixth. Bradish had a modest streak of two straight quality starts come to an end, and he suffered his third defeat over his past four outings. His 7-12 record and season-long 3.70 ERA through 25 starts are both somewhat disappointing marks, though the big positive is that Bradish has managed to stay healthy after compiling only 14 outings over the previous two campaigns due to Tommy John surgery.

Cole (7-6) earned the win over Baltimore on Thursday, allowing one run on four hits and one walk while striking out eight batters over six innings.

Cole held the Orioles scoreless until Dylan Beavers tagged him for a solo homer in the fifth inning. That ended up accounting for Baltimore's only extra-base hit and lone run of the contest. Cole registered 15 whiffs among his 93 pitches and was constantly ahead in the count, throwing 22 of 23 first pitches for strikes. After missing all of last season and the beginning of the current campaign while recovering from Tommy John surgery, the veteran righty appears to be rounding back into peak form. Since the All-Star break, he's recorded a quality start in six of seven outings while posting a 2.06 ERA along with a 53:9 K:BB across 43.2 innings.