MLB Player News

Burrows (elbow) struck out five and permitted one hit and two walks over 4.2 scoreless innings in a rehab start with Triple-A Sugar Land on Thursday.

After submitting a 5.99 ERA and 1.55 WHIP in 18 appearances (17 starts) for Houston to begin the season, Burrows was on his way to a demotion before landing on the injured list July 13 due to right elbow neuritis. However, after posting an 8:3 K:BB while allowing just four hits over nine innings between a pair of rehab outings with Sugar Land, Burrows is looking more likely to get another chance as a starter for the Astros once he comes off the IL, especially given the current state of the back end of the big-league rotation. Burrows was able to build up to 78 pitches Thursday, so he should be able to handle a standard workload if he ends up rejoining the rotation next week.

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.

Herz (elbow) struck out two and allowed one hit and two walks over two scoreless innings in a rehab start Thursday with Double-A Harrisburg.

After Herz underwent Tommy John surgery in April 2025 and then suffered a left flexor strain this past June, the Nationals have been having him ramp up slowly since he began his rehab assignment earlier this month. Through three outings between Single-A Fredericksburg and Harrisburg, the southpaw has yet to permit a run, but he's been limited to five total innings in those appearances. The 33 pitches he threw Thursday marked a new season high for Herz, but he would need to push that count up to the 70-to-80 range before becoming a viable option for the Washington rotation.

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.

Lord is slated to start Friday's game against the Marlins in Miami.

Lord will make his third consecutive start, though he's covered just 3.1 total innings in his prior two appearances. The Nationals are expected to once again deploy Lord as more of an opener, with lefty Will Dion profiling as the top candidate to pitch in bulk relief.

The Yankees signed Morgan to a minor-league contract Friday, Jon Heyman of the New York Post reports.

Morgan had recently elected for free agency after being removed from the Royals' 40-man roster. The right-handed reliever has logged a 5.12 ERA and 16:9 K:BB over 19.1 innings in the majors this season, and he holds a 1.40 ERA and 35:15 K:BB across 25.2 frames at the Triple-A level in 2026.

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.

Fluharty will serve as the Blue Jays' opener in Friday's game against the Yankees, Hazel Mae of Sportsnet reports.

Spencer Arrighetti (foot) is expected to come off the 15-day injured list and work in bulk relief behind Fluharty, who has been been in a groove in August. Over 11 appearances on the month, Fluharty has tossed eight scoreless innings while yielding no hits and two walks.

Duran went 2-for-2 with two walks, a triple, a stolen base and a run scored in Thursday's 2-0 win over the Nationals.

Duran's made little impact over the last two weeks, but he broke out Thursday. He entered the contest on a 6-for-47 (.128) run with one RBI over the previous 13 games. The stolen base was his 10th of the season, giving him double-digit steals in two consecutive seasons. The 27-year-old utility player enters uncharted terriotory, as Duran established a new career high in plate appearances (455) this week.

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.