MLB Player News

Dotel will follow Mason Montgomery, who likely will get an inning or two before giving way. The 23-year-old has made two appearances since being recalled from Indianapolis with a 3.38 ERA and 1/3 K/BB ratio over 2 1/3 innings.

Murphy returns to Atlanta’s catching rotation behind starter Drake Baldwin for his first game action since mid-May. The 31-year-old wound up missing nearly three months with a fractured left middle finger.

Bieber gave up a 419-foot fly to Taylor Trammell in the fourth that would have been a homer in 25 ballparks and a 403-footer to Christian Walker in the fifth that would have left the yard in 11, but both were flyouts tonight. Bouncing back nicely from last week’s bizarre start against the Nationals in which he walked six and was pulled in the first, Bieber had two walks and six strikeouts tonight. Still, given that he’s been rather homer-prone, he’s not a great play this weekend in Philadelphia.

Gus Varland had the night off after throwing 31 pitches in Sunday’s loss. With Jeff Hoffman out of the mix, that put Rogers first in line for a save. Rogers is up to 50 innings with a 1.62 ERA this season. He’s yet to allow a homer.

Javier had made just one start in five appearances since coming off the IL a month ago and gave up three runs in three innings then. Tonight’s showing was quite a bit more promising, especially since he was throwing his secondary pitches harder than had all season. He’s probably not going to turn into a mixed-league option, but if he keeps throwing the way he did tonight, he will be helpful to Houston’s cause. He’ll likely face the Padres on Sunday.

Imai tried to win his rotation spot back with a stellar showing tonight; 26 of his 34 pitches were strikes, and he allowed just one hard-hit ball. It was Imai’s first appearance since he walked four in two-thirds on an inning in a start last Monday against the Angels.

Yean returns to the minors after recording two outs against the Phillies during Monday’s game. The Nationals are going to bring up another reliever for the remainder of the series.