MLB Player News

Gray (elbow) completed a bullpen session at the Nationals' spring training facility in Florida on Tuesday, MLB.com reports.

After undergoing Tommy John surgery and an internal brace procedure in July 2024, Gray didn't pitch for the Nationals in 2025 but was able to make three rehab starts in September. He was expected to compete for a rotation spot this spring, but he was diagnosed with a right flexor strain late in camp and opened the season on the 60-day injured list. Updates on Gray's status have been few and far between in the ensuing months while he's conducted his rehab in Florida, but the 28-year-old has finally made enough progress in his throwing program to get back on the mound. He'll still need to eventually face hitters and head out on a rehab assignment before the Nationals activate him in 2026, and if he does end up making it back to the big leagues in September, he may have to settle for a bullpen role.

Soroka (glute) is expected to return from the 15-day injured list to start Monday's game against the Rockies at Chase Field, MLB.com reports.

The Diamondbacks felt comfortable bringing the right-hander back from the IL following a lone rehab start Tuesday, when he allowed one run over four innings and 57 pitches for Triple-A Reno. Arizona cleared a spot for Soroka in the rotation by optioning starter Kohl Drake to Reno on Friday.

Montero (8-7) allowed five runs on five hits and three walks while striking out five over six innings to take the loss versus the Giants on Friday.

Montero wasn't able to take advantage of a favorable matchup, getting tagged for four runs over the first two innings. A Willy Adames homer in the fifth made it a five-run outing. Montero hadn't given up more than four runs in any game prior to July 27, but he's now been tagged for five or more runs in two of his last three starts. He's at a 3.38 ERA, 1.01 WHIP and 86:28 K:BB across 122.1 innings through 25 games (19 starts) this season. Montero will look to get back on track at home versus the Guardians next week.

Houser (3-7) allowed one run on six hits and a walk while striking out four over five innings to earn the win over the Tigers on Friday.

Houser continues to pitch out of the bullpen, but he has covered five or more innings in three of nine appearances since he was bumped from the rotation. The right-hander put in a strong showing Friday, throwing 57 of 86 pitches for strikes to pick up his first win since May 17 versus the Athletics. Houser has allowed just seven runs over 31 innings across nine innings since his move to the bullpen. Overall, he has a 4.55 ERA, 1.37 WHIP and 65:31 K:BB through 97 innings over 23 games (14 starts) this year. The Giants' rotation is depleted after Robbie Ray was dealt to the Padres and Trevor McDonald (elbow) was shut down ahead of UCL reconstruction surgery, so Houser could continue to see regular usage moving forward. He's tentatively projected to make his next appearance at home versus the Astros.

Sasaki allowed two runs on four hits and a walk while striking out five over six innings in a no-decision versus the Diamondbacks on Friday.

Sasaki earned his third quality start over his last five appearances, though he wasn't able to pick up a third straight win. During this strong stretch, he's allowed nine runs (eight earned) over 30 innings with a 31:8 K:BB. Sasaki is now at a 4.54 ERA, 1.28 WHIP and 106:40 K:BB through 105 innings over 20 starts this year. There's some real strikeout upside here despite the pedestrian ratios. His next start is expected to be at home versus the Brewers, which will provide a measuring stick for his recent success.

Mahle did not factor into Friday's decision against the Yankees, allowing three hits and two walks while striking out nine across six scoreless innings.

Mahle was acquired by Atlanta from San Francisco on Sunday, and the 31-year-old right-hander was given the nod to start in Friday's series opener. He looked good with his new team, matching a season high in strikeouts while recording his fourth quality start in 19 games this season. Mahle has a 4.83 ERA and 1.36 WHIP over 100.2 innings this year, and his next start is lined up for next week at home against the Mets.

Fried did not factor into Friday's decision against Atlanta, allowing three hits and two walks while striking out seven across 6.1 scoreless innings.

Fried got into a bit of hot water in the first inning after allowing three Atlanta batters on base, though he managed to escape the inning unscathed. He allowed just two more baserunners over the rest of his outing, generating 14 whiffs on 90 pitches (57 strikes), though he came away with the no-decision as both teams failed to score until the eighth inning. It was Fried's first quality start since he was activated off the IL in late July, and the 32-year-old southpaw has a 2.88 ERA and 0.97 WHIP over 81.1 innings this season. His next start is lined up for next week at home against the Mariners.

Gilbert (8-7) allowed two runs on four hits and four walks while striking out six over 6.2 innings to take the loss Friday versus the Rays.

Unfortunately for Gilbert, two of the four hits he allowed were home runs, though both were solo shots. He's allowed multiple homers in each of his last two starts, though it's only happened five times all year. This was his third quality start in his last four outings as well, a span in which he has given up 11 runs over 25.1 innings. Gilbert is at a 3.42 ERA, 1.00 WHIP and 145:32 K:BB through 139.1 innings over 23 starts on the year. He's lined up to make his next start on the road versus the Yankees.

Rasmussen (11-5) allowed two hits and two walks while striking out eight over seven scoreless innings to earn the win over the Mariners on Friday.

Rasmussen struggled just before the All-Star break, but he's won four straight starts since the schedule resumed. During the streak, he's given up just two runs over 25 innings with a 32:5 K:BB in that span. Friday's performance was his seventh scoreless outing in 22 starts this season. Rasmussen has a 2.75 ERA, 0.91 WHIP and 130:22 K:BB through 124.1 innings overall. He's lined up to make his next start on the road versus the Athletics.

Klassen did not factor into Friday's decision against Miami, allowing one run on four hits and four walks while striking out three across four innings.

Klassen was promoted from Triple-A Salt Lake ahead of Friday's start, his first major-league outing since April 11 and third of the season. He failed to make it through three innings in either of his first two starts, giving up seven runs (six earned) across those two outings. Klassen was better in Friday's appearance, limiting the Marlins to just one run, though he ran up his pitch count to 83 while tossing 46 strikes, and he recorded only nine first-pitch strikes to 20 batters. He's expected to take a couple more turns in the rotation, at least until Yusei Kikuchi (shoulder) is cleared to return from his rehab assignment. Klassen is tentatively lined up to face the Rangers at home next week.