MLB Player News

Wheeler (10-5) took the loss against Seattle on Monday, allowing eight runs on nine hits and five walks while striking out four batters over four-plus innings.

Wheeler looked entirely off his game Monday -- he tied season-worst marks with five walks and four homers allowed while needing 103 pitches to cover just four frames. The veteran hurler's outing ended on an especially sour note when he gave up back-to-back long balls leading off the fifth inning before being pulled. Wheeler has now gone six straight starts without completing six innings, and he's given up four or more runs four times during that span while going 0-3. After posting an outstanding 2.13 ERA across 15 first-half appearances, he's stumbled to a 7.18 ERA through seven second-half starts. He'll try to turn things around the next time he takes the mound, which lines up to be a road matchup versus the Angels.

Whisenhunt left Monday's game against the Reds due to left elbow pain, Shayna Rubin of the San Francisco Chronicle reports.

This update doesn't provide much additional information, so it appears the team needs to run additional tests to determine the severity of Whisenhunt's elbow injury. It's not yet clear if the southpaw will be able to make his next start, which tentatively lines up for Saturday against Arizona.

Gray (elbow) is scheduled to make the third appearance of his rehab assignment Tuesday with High-A Wilmington, Mark Zuckerman of NatsJournal.com reports.

Gray has spent the entire season on the injured list after suffering a right flexor strain during spring training. He was cleared to begin his rehab assignment at Single-A Fredericksburg last week and covered three innings between two appearances, striking out three batters while allowing one run on four hits and one walk. Gray was deployed in relief in both of those outings, so the Nationals may be leaning toward bringing him back from the 60-day IL as a multi-inning reliever rather than stretching him out for a starting role.

Phillips will start Tuesday's game against the Red Sox, Daniel Alvarez-Montes of ElExtraBase.com reports.

Phillips was deployed as a reliever in his last appearance Aug. 18 against the Phillies, but he'll work as a starter Tuesday as the Marlins look to bounce back from a loss in the series opener. The 28-year-old has been a solid option for the Marlins over his last eight outings, posting a 3.98 ERA and 1.36 WHIP with a 27:10 K:BB across 31.2 frames.

The Cubs outrighted Miller to Triple-A Iowa on Monday.

Miller was booted off the 40-man roster Friday, and after going unclaimed on waivers, he'll stay in the organization and report to Iowa. He's slashed .299/.352/.459 with seven home runs and 10 stolen bases over 96 games this season at Triple-A.

Whisenhunt left Monday's start against the Reds due to an apparent left arm injury, Gordon Wittenmyer of The Cincinnati Enquirer reports. He allowed two hits and one walk while striking out three over 2.2 scoreless innings prior to exiting.

Whisenhunt walked off the field with team trainers in the top of the third inning, though the severity of the injury remains unclear. He'll likely be sent for further tests to determine whether he'll require a trip to the injured list.

Vivas went 3-for-5 with two RBI, a run scored and a strikeout during a 13-3 win over Colorado on Monday.

Vivas recorded his second three-hit game of the season and first since June 27 on Monday. The 25-year-old slashed a two-run single in the bottom of the seventh to extend the Nationals' lead to eight. On the campaign, Vivas is slashing .239/.324/.320 with three homers and 24 RBI in 287 plate appearances.

Lile went 3-for-5 with a three-run homer, five RBI, a double, a stolen base and two runs scored during Monday's 13-3 win over Colorado.

Lile provided the exclamation point during Monday's win after launching a three-run blast to extend Washington's lead to 10. It was the 23-year-old's first long ball since Aug. 7, snapping a 14-game drought. This year, Lile has slashed .246/.294/.411 with 16 home runs, 71 RBI and 13 stolen bases in 544 plate appearances.

Castro went 1-for-4 with a solo home run and a strikeout during Monday's 13-3 loss to Washington.

Castro belted a solo shot in the fourth for his 15th blast of the season to get the scoring started. The 29-year-old has successfully recorded a base hit in eight of his last nine games. This year, the switch hitter has slashed .264/.332/.428 with 15 homers and nine stolen bases over 446 plate appearances.

Tovar went 2-for-2 with a solo home run and a double before being lifted in the sixth inning after injuring his wrist during Monday's 13-3 loss to the Nationals, Eli Whitney of Purple Row reports.

In Tovar's second at-bat against Cade Cavalli, he took the right-hander deep to center field for a solo shot to extend Colorado's lead. The long ball snapped a 15-game homerless drought. The 25-year-old was lifted in the bottom of the sixth after straining his left wrist on a diving play in the fifth inning. On the campaign, Tovar is slashing .209/.257/.596 with 10 homers and 39 RBI in 429 plate appearances. Ryan Ritter replaced Tovar at shortstop.