MLB Player News

Castellanos went 1-for-4 with a two-run home run in Wednesday's 2-0 win over the Brewers.

The veteran outfielder provided the game's only offense by taking Aaron Ashby deep in the fifth inning. Castellanos is beginning to climb out of his early season hole, batting .270 (17-for-63) over his last 16 games with four of his eight homers on the season, along with 11 runs and 11 RBI.

Alvarado gave up a hit and struck out three in a scoreless ninth inning Wednesday to record his 11th save of the season in a 2-0 win over the Brewers.

The southpaw picked up his first save since May 21 with a dominant effort, as he fired 15 of 21 pitches for strikes. Alvarado is putting together a strong season, posting a 2.96 ERA, 1.02 WHIP and 29:10 K:BB through 27.1 innings and blowing only one save chance so far, but the Phillies' tendency to play matchups in high-leverage spots keeps him from being an elite fantasy closer, as Jeff Hoffman (five saves) and Gregory Soto (two saves) are also in the ninth-inning mix.

Nola (8-2) picked up the win Wednesday, scattering two hits over seven scoreless innings in a 2-0 victory over the Brewers. He struck out five without walking a batter.

The veteran right-hander was dominant as he delivered his fourth straight quality start and eighth of the season, firing 68 of 93 pitches for strikes. Nola will take a 2.77 ERA, 0.97 WHIP and 76:22 K:BB through 84.1 innings into his next outing, which lines up to come on the road next week in Boston.

Ashby (0-2) took the loss Wednesday as the Brewers were downed 2-0 by the Phillies, giving up two runs on two hits and five walks over five innings. He struck out three.

The southpaw was recalled from Triple-A Nashville earlier in the day but had trouble finding the plate, tossing 49 of 91 pitches for strikes, and Ashby eventually paid for the free passes in the fifth inning when Garrett Stubbs led off the frame with a walk before Nick Castellanos clubbed a two-run homer. With Robert Gasser (elbow) the latest Milwaukee pitcher to land on the IL, Ashby figures to get multiple turns in the rotation. He lines up to make his next outing at home early next week against the Blue Jays.

Bouchard suffered a right high-ankle sprain during Wednesday's game against the Reds, Luke Zahlmann of The Denver Gazette reports.

Bouchard suffered the injury during the eighth inning of Wednesday's contest when his foot slipped off first base following a sacrifice bunt. He'll almost certainly have to spend time on the injured list, opening the door for Jake Cave to make regular starts in left field for the Rockies.

Crow-Armstrong is out of the lineup for Wednesday's game against the White Sox.

Crow-Armstrong started the previous four games against a right-handed pitcher, but he'll take a seat Wednesday with righty Erick Fedde starting for the White Sox. Cody Bellinger will move to center field while Michael Busch mans first base.

Bouchard was removed from Wednesday's game against the Reds with an apparent foot injury, Luke Zahlmann of The Denver Gazette reports.

Bouchard's foot slipped off first base once he reached the bag on a sacrifice bunt during the eighth inning. He had to be helped off the field and into the Rockies' clubhouse, where the team will presumably take him in for imaging. Brenton Doyle, normally a regular in the lineup, entered as Bouchard's replacement Wednesday, but Jake Cave would likely see an increase in playing time should Bouchard require a trip to the IL.

Helsley earned the save in Wednesday's 4-2 win over the Astros, recording a pair of strikeouts in a perfect ninth inning.

Helsley's now delivered back-to-back scoreless innings, striking out four in that span, after allowing four runs in his previous three appearances. The 29-year-old Helsley is now the first in the majors to reach to 20-save mark. His ERA is down to 2.33 with a 1.07 WHIP and 29:6 K:BB across 27 innings this season.

Mikolas (4-6) earned the win Wednesday over the Astros, allowing two runs on five hits over six innings. He struck out three.

Mikolas shut out Houston through his first four innings, ultimately allowing both runs on back-to-back solo homers to Yainer Diaz and Trey Cabbage in the fifth. While it's Mikolas' first win since May 12, the veteran right-hander has now delivered quality starts in three straight outings and five of his last seven starts. After a rough start to the year, Mikolas has lowered his ERA to 5.32 with a 1.28 WHIP and 53:14 K:BB across 71 innings. He'll look to build on his recent success in his next start, currently scheduled for early next week at home versus Pittsburgh.

Nationals manager Dave Martinez said Wednesday that Gray (elbow) has been cleared to begin a rehab assignment, and the first start is likely to come Sunday with Single-A Fredericksburg, Mark Zuckerman of MASNSports.com reports.

The 24-year-old righty made just two starts this season before he landed on the injured list with an elbow strain, but he's now entering the final stage of his rehab program. Gray is expected to throw about four innings during his first outing, and he'll likely need several appearances in the minors before rejoining Washington's rotation.