Williams (3-3) allowed eight runs on 11 hits with three walks and four strikeouts across 5.1 innings while taking a loss against the Cubs on Sunday.

EDGE Analysis

The 27-year-old has struggled lately, but this might have been his worst start of the season. The Cubs really hit Williams hard, particularly in the fifth and sixth innings. The 11 hits he allowed was a season high along with the three homers he yielded. After 24 runs permitted in his last four starts, all the sudden Williams owns a 5.17 ERA, 1.36 WHIP and .289 batting average against. He also has 61 strikeouts in 76.2 innings this season. Williams will look to get right at home against the Phillies on Saturday.

Williams was reinstated from the paternity list Monday, Adam Berry of MLB.com reports.

EDGE Analysis

Williams' absence led to him missing his final start before the All-Star break. He'll end the first half with a mediocre 4.54 ERA and an 18.8 percent strikeout rate. Kevin Kramer was optioned in a corresponding move.

Williams will be placed on the paternity list Saturday.

EDGE Analysis

Williams had been scheduled to start Saturday against the Brewers. He'll now be unavailable until after the All-Star break. Dario Agrazal will be recalled in a corresponding move, presumably to take his place in the rotation.

Williams (3-2) yielded five runs on nine hits and three walks across 5.2 innings Monday, striking out four batters and earning the win over the Cubs.

EDGE Analysis

It obviously wasn't a great performance, but Pittsburgh's offense erupted for 18 runs Monday to give Williams the win. Most of the damage came against him in the fourth inning where he allowed three runs on four hits and two walks. Since returning from the injured list with a side injury, the 27-year-old has coughed up 16 runs over 17.1 innings. Williams will look to turn things around at home against the Brewers on Saturday.

Williams' next start is scheduled for July 1 against the Cubs in Pittsburgh.

EDGE Analysis

Since Williams started the first of the Pirates' six games this week in Tuesday's loss to the Astros, he would have been available to start Sunday in Milwaukee on normal rest. Instead, he'll be bumped back a day with the Pirates ushering Jordan Lyles (hamstring) back into the rotation this weekend following a three-week stint on the injured list. Williams now lines up for a two step in the final week before the All-Star break, with his second turn set to come at home against the Brewers on July 6.

Williams (2-2) allowed four earned runs on eight hits and no walks while striking out four across 6.2 innings to take the loss Tuesday against the Astros.

EDGE Analysis

Williams held the Astros scoreless through three frames, but allowed two home runs in his final 3.2 innings of work to spoil a previously solid outing. His performance was certainly a step forward from his first start after being activated off the injured list, when he allowed seven earned runs. On Tuesday, he flashed familiar skills -- particularly his control -- and has now allowed 1.4 BB/9 across 65.2 innings, contributing to a 1.19 WHIP. He'll draw another tough test in his next start, currently scheduled for Monday against the Cubs.

Williams didn't factor into the decision in Wednesday's 8-7 win over the Tigers, surrendering seven runs on nine hits over five innings while striking out seven.

EDGE Analysis

While the seven K's were a season high, that was about the only thing that went right for Williams in his first start off the IL. The right-hander was tagged for multiple homers for the first time all year, and it was his shortest outing since the one in which he got hurt in mid-May. Williams will take a 4.12 ERA and 49:10 K:BB through 59 innings into his next start Tuesday in Houston.

Williams (side) was activated from the 10-day injured list ahead of his scheduled start Wednesday against the Tigers.

EDGE Analysis

Williams is ready to rejoin the rotation after spending a little more than a month on the shelf with a right side strain. The right-hander allowed two runs while striking out five across three innings in his lone rehab start for Triple-A Indianapolis last week. Prior to landing on the IL, Williams compiled a 3.33 ERA, 1.13 WHIP and 42:10 K:BB in nine starts (54 innings) for the Pirates. Mitch Keller was sent to the minors in a corresponding move.

Williams (side) is listed as the Pirates' scheduled starter for Wednesday's game against the Tigers, Nubyjas Wilborn of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette reports.

EDGE Analysis

The Pirates will wait until Wednesday before formally activating Williams from the 10-day injured list, but the right-hander will be back in the fold after enduring no complications with his strained right side while covering three innings in a rehab start for Triple-A Indianapolis last week. Williams tossed 71 pitches in that outing, so there's a good chance the Pirates exercise more caution with his workload Wednesday than they normally would. Williams submitted a 3.33 ERA and 1.13 WHIP in 54 innings before landing on the IL in mid-May.

Williams (side) is tentatively scheduled to come off the IL to start Wednesday against the Tigers, John Perrotto of DKPittsburghSports.com reports.

EDGE Analysis

This is a positive development for the Pirates and fantasy owners, but Williams only built up to 71 pitches in his rehab start for Triple-A Indianapolis on Thursday. He will have a nice, soft landing in a Tigers team that ranks dead last in the AL in scoring, but with the likelihood that his pitch count is limited in his first start back, Williams is not a slam-dunk starter in mixed leagues.