MLB Player News

Megill (shoulder) will throw his first bullpen session next Saturday, Anthony DiComo of MLB.com reports.

Megill has been out since mid-June with a strained right shoulder. He's targeting a return in late August or early September, but he'll pitch in a relief role down the stretch, robbing him of most of his fantasy value. His long-term appeal remains intact, however, as he's expected to build back up as a starter over the winter.

Gaddis (0-1) took the loss Friday as the Guardians fell 9-3 to the Astros, coughing up eight runs on seven hits and two walks over 3.1 innings. He struck out two.

Making his big-league debut, Gaddis tossed 45 of 79 pitches for strikes before getting the hook. He pitched adequately against everyone except Trey Mancini. Unfortunately, the former Oriole tagged him for two homers in two at-bats, with the second blast being a grand slam. The 24-year-old right-hander might get another start or two for Cleveland due a lack of currently healthy alternatives, but with Cody Morris (shoulder) having shifted his rehab to Triple-A this week and Aaron Civale (wrist) ready to begin his own rehab assignment, Gaddis' window for establishing himself in the rotation could close quickly.

Valdez (10-4) picked up the win in Friday's 9-3 victory over the Guardians, giving up three runs on seven hits and three walks over 6.1 innings. He struck out three.

It wasn't a dominant effort by the southpaw, but Valdez still delivered a quality start in an incredible 18th straight trip to the mound -- putting him two QS shy of Mike Scott's franchise record of 20 straight, set in 1986. Valdez will take a 2.87 ERA, 1.15 WHIP and 120:48 K:BB through 135 innings into his next outing.

Gibson (7-4) picked up the win Friday, allowing one run on two hits and a walk over eight innings in a 7-2 victory over the Nationals. He struck out four.

The veteran right-hander took a perfect game into the seventh inning, but he opened the frame by plunking Victor Robles before Luis Garcia slapped a single to left field. Gibson still came away with his fourth quality start in his last five trips to the mound, a stretch during which he's posted a sharp 2.87 ERA, 0.80 WHIP and 18:7 K:BB through 31.1 innings.

Gray (7-8) took the loss Friday as the Nationals were downed 7-2 by the Phillies, surrendering six runs on five hits -- including four home runs -- and three walks over four innings. He struck out four.

Three of the long balls came in the first inning before J.T. Realmuto capped the barrage in the third with a two-run shot. Gray got the hook after 79 pitches (46 strikes) having served up multiple homers for the fourth time in his last five trips to the mound, a gruesome stretch in which he's compiled a 7.20 ERA and 1.44 WHIP despite a superficially successful 34:11 K:BB through 25 innings. Gray now has a 2.4 HR/9 for his big-league career, and the 24-year-old will never come close to reaching his full potential without first solving his homer woes.

Kremer (4-3) picked up the win Friday, scattering four hits over 6.1 scoreless innings in a 1-0 victory over the Pirates. He struck out two without walking a batter.

It was a somewhat unlikely pitchers' duel between Kremer and Mitch Keller on the night, but the Baltimore righty came out on top. Kremer tossed 61 of 83 pitches for strikes as he recorded his third quality start in 11 outings this season, but it's actually the fifth time he's shut out the opposition during his time on the mound. He has a 3.43 ERA, 1.32 WHIP and 43:14 K:BB through 57.2 innings.

Keller (3-8) took the loss Friday, allowing one run on eight hits and a walk over six innings in a 1-0 loss to the Orioles. He struck out one.

The 26-year-old was stingy but not dominant, tossing 54 of 87 pitches for strikes before exiting, but Keller got outdueled by Baltimore's Dean Kremer. Keller has delivered five straight quality starts, posting a superb 1.74 ERA, 1.10 WHIP and 22:6 K:BB through 31 innings over that stretch as his offseason velocity gains appear to finally be paying off.

Peterson was called up by the Mets on Saturday to start the first game of a doubleheader against Atlanta, Tim Healey of Newsday reports.

Peterson has made 13 starts and four relief appearances for the Mets this season and has largely been an effective pitcher. Career highs in strikeout rate (27.5 percent) and groundball rate (53.8 percent) have helped offset a poor 11.2 percent walk rate, leading to a 3.54 ERA. The Mets likely won't need him to remain in the rotation after his Saturday spot, but it's possible he retreats to the bullpen rather than the minors.

Red Sox manager Alex Cora said Sale played catch Friday for the first time since undergoing surgery on his broken pinkie finger.

Sale underwent surgery July 18, a procedure described as "an open reduction and internal fixation of a left fifth finger proximal phalarix fracture." The club has not given a timetable for his return.

Elder is up as Atlanta's 27th man for Saturday's doubleheader against the Mets, David O'Brien of The Athletic reports.

Elder had a 2.48 ERA, 1.10 WHIP and 24:9 K:BB in 32.2 innings over five July starts at Triple-A. Jake Odorizzi and Max Fried will start the two games, with Elder serving as a potential long reliever if one of the starters exits early.