MLB Player News

Kelly (8-5) allowed one run on one hit and four walks while striking out six over five innings to earn the win over the Angels on Sunday.

Kelly battled calf discomfort in his last start, but he looks to be fine after a 98-pitch start, though he landed just 58 of those pitches for strikes. He was still able to limit the damage to a Mike Trout RBI single in the third inning, and the Diamondbacks gave Kelly plenty of support to pick up his first win in four starts. The four walks matched his season high from his first start of the year, while the right-hander was able to keep the ball in the yard for the first time in six outings. He's at a 3.34 ERA, 1.05 WHIP and 113:33 K:BB across 116 innings over 20 starts this season. Kelly should be in line for a start in Arizona's home series versus the Cardinals after the All-Star break.

Pagan picked up the save Sunday, striking out one in a perfect ninth inning to close out the 4-2 win over the Rockies.

Pagan made quick work of Colorado in the final frame, needing only 14 pitches to retire the side in order and lock down his 20th save of the season. The veteran right-hander has now converted 20 of 23 save chances and has been especially effective lately, allowing only two earned runs over his last 15 appearances. Pagan continues to provide stability for Cincinnati while keeping his role as the team's preferred closer firmly intact.

McGee was optioned to Triple-A Nashville following Sunday's 8-1 win over the Nationals.

McGee will return to Triple-A after being called up July 1 and tossing three innings of one-run ball during which he allowed two hits and two walks while punching out three batters in three relief appearances. The right-hander has produced a 2.57 ERA and 1.14 WHIP with seven strikeouts over five innings in five outings with the Brewers this season, and he'll likely get another shot with the big-league club down the road this year.

Perkins (groin/shin) was reinstated from the 60-day injured list and optioned to Triple-A Nashville on Sunday.

Perkins will remain with Nashville after finishing his minor-league rehab assignment at the Triple-A level, batting .192 with a home run, two RBI, six runs scored and two stolen bases over 26 at-bats in eight games. With Sal Frelick (hamstring) leaving the Brewers' win early Sunday, it's possible that Perkins could be elevated to the major-league roster if Frelick is forced to miss any action when play resumes following the All-Star break. Drew Avans was designated for assignment Sunday, opening a spot on the 40-man roster for Perkins.

Gomber (0-3) took the loss Sunday, allowing two earned runs on six hits and two walks while striking out three over 4.1 innings in a 4-2 defeat against the Reds.

The left-hander's outing got off to a rocky start, as he served up a leadoff homer to TJ Friedl on just his fourth pitch of the game. Gomber managed to limit the damage from there but was yet again unable to make it past the fifth inning. This marked only his sixth start on the season after recovering from a shoulder injury, and through those outings, he's posted a 5.65 ERA while surrendering six home runs and has yet to find a consistent groove.

Martinez (7-9) earned the win Sunday, allowing two runs on five hits and one walk over 5.1 innings while striking out three in a 4-2 victory over the Rockies.

Coming off his worst start of the season, Martinez rebounded with a more composed outing Sunday, retiring the first six Rockies he faced before allowing both his runs on a Mickey Moniak single in the third. Martinez managed to work into the sixth, where he departed after allowing a pair of baserunners. With this bounce-back performance, the right-hander now holds a 4.78 ERA, 1.21 WHIP with 76 strikeouts over 111 innings this season.

Frelick (hamstring) is undergoing additional imaging, including an MRI, after Sunday's 8-1 win over the Nationals, Todd Rosiak of the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel reports.

Frelick was removed from Sunday's contest with left hamstring discomfort in the top of the third inning after making a sliding catch in right field. After the game, manager Pat Murphy said that it "hurts his heart" to see one of his favorite players go down. The outfielder will now get the benefit of five days off for the All-Star break, and more information on his status will likely come in the near future.

Friedl went 2-for-3 with a solo home run, two additional runs scored and a walk in Sunday's 4-2 win over the Rockies.

Friedl filled up the box score in a much-needed strong showing, opening the scoring with a leadoff home run, his first long ball since June 13. The 29-year-old had been quiet at the plate this month, entering Sunday just 7-for-38 (.184) with one RBI in the month of July. Despite the slump, Friedl remains locked into the top of Cincinnati's lineup and could carry momentum into the second half of the season after Sunday's encouraging performance.

Swanson went 2-for-4 with a two-run home run in Sunday's 4-1 win over the Yankees.

Swanson provided the key blast of the game, helping the Cubs break a 1-1 tie with his 16th home run of the season in the sixth inning. The shortstop has been playing well lately with a .293 batting average, two home runs, seven RBI and seven runs scored over his last 10 games. Swanson is a fairly consistent performer who plays nearly every day, giving him a safe fantasy floor heading into the All-Star break.

Dodgers manager Dave Roberts said Sunday that he believes Sasaki (shoulder) could be ready to return from the 60-day injured list around late August, Sonja Chen of MLB.com reports.

Roberts noted that Sasaki is pain-free and was able to throw his first bullpen session Friday since he landed on the injured list May 13, but the Dodgers nonetheless appear content to take a slow and deliberate approach with ramping the rookie back up as he recovers from a right shoulder impingement. Sasaki is scheduled to throw another side session Monday, and he could be another week or two away from facing hitters in live batting practice before heading out on what will presumably be an extended minor-league rehab assignment. Given his poor numbers (4.72 ERA, 1.49 WHIP in 34.1 innings over eight starts) prior to landing on the shelf, Sasaki may not be in line for a spot in the Los Angeles rotation once he returns from the 60-day IL.