MLB Player News

Machado was removed from Wednesday's game against the Angels due to an apparent leg injury, AJ Cassavell of MLB.com reports.

Machado suffered the injury while running to first base on an attempt to beat out a double play during the fourth inning. The slugging third baseman likely tweaked something in his lower body while running, but the Padres should clarify the nature of Machado's injury relatively soon.

Morel was removed from Wednesday's game against the White Sox after fouling a ball off his left foot, Meghan Montemurro of the Chicago Tribune reports.

Morel looked to be in a considerable amount of pain after getting hit in the foot, but he remained in the game to finish his at-bat, during which he drew a walk. Patrick Wisdom entered the game as a pinch runner, and the Cubs will now take a closer look at Morel. The 24-year-old had gone 5-for-16 with two homers and three RBI across his last five games heading into Wednesday's contest.

Manager Rob Thomson confirmed that Walker will start Sunday's game against the Mets in London, Dan Gelston of the Associated Press reports.

Though he'll be getting his eighth start of the season Sunday, Walker's standing in the rotation seems to be on unsteady ground while he's produced a 5.73 ERA, 1.59 WHIP and 30:15 K:BB in 37.2 innings since returning in late April from a season-opening stint on the injured list. Manager Rob Thomson gave Walker a vote of confidence Tuesday, though the skipper stressed that the right-hander needs to show improved command in his subsequent outings in order to maintain his spot. Walker's four-year, $72 million contract gives him some level of job security, but it doesn't help his case that Spencer Turnbull dazzled over six starts in April (1.67 ERA, 0.84 WHIP, 36:10 K:BB in 32.1 innings) before moving to the bullpen upon the veteran's southpaw's return from the IL. Another shaky performance in London would put Walker at increased risk of losing his starting job to Turnbull.

Manager Rob Thomson said Tuesday that Turnbull will stay in the bullpen while the Phillies remain committed to Taijuan Walker as their No. 5 starter, Dan Gelston of the Associated Press reports.

While Walker began the season on the injured list, Turnbull secured a spot in the Opening Day rotation and dazzled over his six starts, going 2-0 with a 1.67 ERA, 0.84 WHIP and 36:10 K:BB in 32.1 innings. Shortly after Walker returned from the IL in late April, the Phillies opted to move Turnbull to the bullpen rather than expanding the rotation to six men. Though his performance has taken a step back upon his move to the bullpen, Turnbull is coming off an impressive showing against the Cardinals on Saturday, when he struck out six over three scoreless frames. Walker, meanwhile, hasn't pitched into the seventh inning of his last five turns through the rotation and is sitting on a 5.73 ERA and 1.59 WHIP in 37.2 innings overall through seven starts on the season. At this point, Walker's exorbitant four-year, $72 million contract may be the main reason he's still in the rotation, but his leash has undoubtedly gotten shorter. Walker will start Sunday's game against the Mets in London, but another poor showing could prompt Thomson to change his tune and give Turnbull another look in the rotation.

The Rockies will likely place Bryant (back) on the 10-day injured list Thursday, Luke Zahlmann of The Denver Gazette reports.

Wednesday marked the third game in a row Bryant missed due to his sore back, which has not responded well to treatment. He will likely be joined on the IL by Sean Bouchard (ankle), and the Rockies will presumably call up a couple of minor leaguers to fill the openings in their outfield. Injuries have limited Bryant to just 24 games so far this season, during which he's slashed .186/.307/.279 with 10 RBI.

Phillies manager Rob Thomson said Wednesday that Suarez (thumb) has been cleared to start Saturday's game against the Mets in London, Alex Coffey of The Philadelphia Inquirer reports. "I think so," Thomson said ,when asked if Suarez would make his next scheduled start. "It looks like it. I believe we can line him up."

Suarez didn't throw a bullpen session Wednesday like Thomson intimated would be the case Tuesday, but the southpaw played catch for the second day in a row and appears to be feeling fine. He'll throw a light bullpen session Friday, but the Phillies are seemingly already banking on Suarez being available without restriction for the first of two games in London, with Taijuan Walker set to take the hill for the Sunday contest. Suarez was removed from his most recent start this past Saturday against the Cardinals after taking a comebacker to his left thumb. He avoided any structural damage to the thumb and merely dealt with some light swelling, which has since subsided.

Ashcraft allowed four runs on six hits against the Rockies on Wednesday in a no-decision. He struck out two.

All four of Colorado's runs off Ashcraft came in the first inning on five singles. While he ultimately escaped with a no-decision, it was another tough outing for Ashcraft, who's now failed to pitch through six innings in six straight starts. Overall, the 26-year-old right-hander is 4-3 with a 5.05 ERA, 1.46 WHIP and 49:21 K:BB across seven starts (62.1 innings) this season. Ashcraft's currently scheduled to face the Guardians at home in his next outing.

Montgomery (3-4) took the loss Wednesday, coughing up six runs on seven hits and three walks over two-plus innings as Arizona fell 9-3 to San Francisco. He struck out one.

The southpaw held the Giants off the board for two innings, but things fell apart quickly in the third, highlighted by Wilmer Flores' grand slam -- the first slam Montgomery has ever served up in his career. The 31-year-old has been tagged for 14 runs in only six innings over his last two starts, and he'll carry a 6.80 ERA, 1.73 WHIP and 29:18 K:BB through 46.1 innings into his next start, which lines up to come at home early next week against the Angels.

Flores went 2-for-4 with a walk, a home run and five RBI in Wednesday's 9-3 win over the Diamondbacks.

The Giants launched three homers on the day, but Flores' grand slam off Jordan Montgomery in the third inning proved to be the biggest blow. Flores snapped a 21-game homer drought with the blast, but that May 4 shot was his only other homer on the season. The 32-year-old's five RBI on Wednesday equaled his total from his prior 26 games combined.

Hicks came away with a no-decision in Wednesday's 9-3 win over the Diamondbacks, giving up two runs on six hits and four walks over 3.2 innings. He struck out seven.

The right-hander did rack up some Ks, but Hicks needed 92 pitches (51 strikes) to record just 11 outs and got the hook before he could quality for a win. He's failed to complete six innings in seven straight trips to the mound, posting a 4.09 ERA, 1.48 WHIP and 32:13 K:BB over 33 innings during that stretch. Hicks will look for a more efficient performance in his next outing, which is scheduled to come at home early next week against the Astros.