Joe Saunders was lit up for nine runs in 3 2/3 innings by the Marlins on Monday night. Maybe Saunders should have taken a week off after injuring his pitching thumb on a comebacker last time out. It's the first time in his career that he's allowed nine earned runs. He gave up eight earned runs on three occasions, all while he was with the Angels. His ERA jumped from 3.70 to 4.22.

Joe Saunders (thumb) expects to make his next scheduled start. Saunders injured the thumb on his pitching hand when he tried to field a comebacker Wednesday. "It's just a little black and blue; it's fine," Saunders said Thursday. "It feels a lot better than last night. Last night it was a little numb when I tried to throw that next inning. Now it feels much better." The lefty will throw his normal between-starts bullpen session Saturday before officially being cleared for his next outing.

Joe Saunders pitched seven innings and allowed three runs -- two earned -- in defeating the Pirates on Thursday. Saunders hasn't received much run support lately, but Jason Kubel helped him out with a pair of two-run homers today. It's just the second time this season that he's allowed as many as three runs and won. He's 6-8 with a 3.52 ERA in 19 starts.

Joe Saunders allowed four runs on eight hits and three walks in seven innings of Sunday's loss to the Mets. Saunders struck out five in falling to 5-7. He allowed two of his runs against lefty-nemesis Scott Hairston. Saunders has gone at least six innings in each of his four outings since coming off the disabled list on July 14. He'll bring a 3.62 ERA, 1.33 WHIP and 76/28 K/BB ratio into his Saturday start in Philadelphia.

Joe Saunders pitched seven innings of two-run ball in a defeat of the Rockies on Tuesday. He struck out nine and allowed just three hits and one walk. The only damage he sustained was a pair of solo homers off the bat of Michael Cuddyer. In three starts back from the disabled list, Saunders has allowed eight runs over 19 innings, roughly equivalent to his production prior to hitting the shelf. Saunders holds a 3.51 ERA through 16 starts this season and remains a mediocre option in mixed leagues.

In his first start back from the disabled list, Joe Saunders allowed four runs (three earned) over six innings Saturday against the Cubs. Saunders was decent in his return, giving up eight hits while striking out four and walking none. However, the Diamondbacks' offense simply couldn't get anything done against Ryan Dempster. Saunders holds a 3.52 ERA through 14 starts this season and remains a mediocre option in mixed fantasy leagues. He'll get the Reds next week.

Diamondbacks activated LHP Joe Saunders from the 15-day disabled list. Saunders will start Tuesday against the Cubs, as expected. He went 4-5 with a 3.44 ERA in 13 starts prior to the injury. Josh Collmenter, who had been filling in, will return to a long-relief role.

Joe Saunders (shoulder) allowed five runs (three earned) in 4 1/3 innings Sunday in a rehab start with the Diamondbacks' Arizona League affiliate. Saunders gave up three hits while walking five and striking out seven. While his line was pretty uneven, the good news is that he didn't have any issues with his shoulder. Diamondbacks manager Kirk Gibson expects him to return from the disabled list to start Saturday against the Cubs. Josh Collmenter is likely to be sent back to the bullpen.

Joe Saunders' (shoulder) rehab start Sunday will be at a rookie-league game in Arizona. Saunders is scheduled to throw 80-90 pitches. Assuming he has no setbacks, the left-hander will rejoin the Diamondbacks' rotation shortly after the All-Star break.

Joe Saunders (shoulder) will make a minor league rehab start Sunday. Where he'll pitch is yet to be determined. Saunders thought he was ready after a 51-pitch simulated game Tuesday, but the D'Backs want to give him a chance to knock off some rust in the minors first. He'll rejoin the rotation just after the break if Sunday's outing goes well. "He's not real happy about it but I think that's the safe way to do it," manager Kirk Gibson said. "We want him back for the long term. We all want him back in the rotation but we think this is the way we're going to go."