MLB Player News

Oviedo (1-1) struck out three over 2.1 perfect innings to earn the win in Wednesday's 5-4 victory over the Brewers.

Oviedo relieved starter Adam Wainwright with two outs and two runners in scoring position in the fifth inning. He escaped that jam with a groundout, then continued to pitch well in the sixth and seventh while the Cardinals pulled ahead. Oviedo has now gone 6.1 innings without allowing a run while working in a multi-inning relief role. The 24-year-old right-hander has a 3.00 ERA, 1.33 WHIP and 14:5 K:BB across 15 innings in six outings (one start). He'll likely continue to mop up innings when the Cardinals' starters have short outings.

Wainwright allowed four runs on seven hits and a walk with seven strikeouts in 4.2 innings Wednesday versus the Brewers. He did not factor in the decision.

This was just the second time all year Wainwright's failed to complete five innings, and both of those games were against the Brewers. He was responsible for solo home runs by Rowdy Tellez and Andrew McCutchen in this contest as well as both runs in the Brewers' fifth-inning rally. The poor start saw Wainwright's ERA tick up to 3.32 with a 1.26 WHIP and 67:25 K:BB across 84 innings overall. He's projected for a more favorable home start versus the Marlins next week.

Lopez (5-3) allowed an unearned run on four hits and three walks while striking out six across seven innings to earn the win Wednesday against the Rockies.

Lopez surrendered his only run of the game in the first inning after allowing a leadoff double. He occasionally had to work out of jams from there, but the only additional extra-base hit he yielded was a triple by Brendan Rodgers. Lopez got back on the track with the effort, as he entered the game having allowed four of more earned runs in three of his last five starts. Overall, Lopez still owns an excellent 2.61 ERA with an 83:23 K:BB across 82.2 frames.

Carrasco is scheduled to undergo an MRI after leaving Wednesday's start against the Astros with lower-back tightness, Deesha Thosar of the New York Daily News reports.

The veteran right-hander lasted only 2.1 frames before being lifted from Wednesday's contest, and his availability going forward is now in question. It's an encouraging sign Carrasco will travel with the team to Miami rather than return to New York to be evaluated, but his outlook will remain up in the air until the MRI results are announced.

Carrasco exited Wednesday's start against the Astros due to lower-back tightness, Tim Healey of Newsday reports.

Carrasco was removed from Wednesday's matchup by a trainer and manager Buck Showalter, and the right-hander is dealing with a lower-back issue. It's not yet clear whether the injury will lead to a trip to the IL, but he tentatively lines up to make his next start at home against the Astros next Wednesday if he's deemed healthy enough to pitch.

Stroman (shoulder) is scheduled to throw a bullpen session Wednesday, Meghan Montemurro of the Chicago Tribune reports.

It's unclear if Stroman will use all his pitches or throw at full intensity Wednesday, but the activity marks another checkpoint reached in his recovery from right shoulder inflammation. Stroman has been sidelined June 10 with the injury and is likely at least a week away from making his return from the 15-day injured list.

Smyly (oblique) said he felt good after completing a bullpen session Tuesday, Taylor McGregor of Marquee Sports Network reports.

The Cubs will likely have Smyly throw at least one more side session before having him face hitters in live batting practice or a simulated game. Smyly has been on the 15-day injured list since June 1 with a right oblique strain and will likely require a minor-league rehab assignment prior to being activated.

The Pirates selected Eickhoff's contract from Triple-A Indianapolis ahead of his scheduled start Wednesday against the Cubs.

Reliever Heath Hembree was designated for assignment to clear room on the 40-man and 26-man active roster for Eickhoff, who turned in a 4.84 ERA and 1.08 WHIP across 48.1 innings in a swingman role for Indianapolis. Eickhoff's most recent big-league experience came last season, when he submitted an 8.69 ERA and 2.03 WHIP across 19.2 innings. Even while Eickhoff opposes a weak Cubs lineup Wednesday, fantasy managers will still want to tread carefully with the 32-year-old right-hander, who profiles as an NL-only or deeper mixed-league option.

Carrasco was removed from his start Wednesday against the Astros in the third inning with a possible injury, Tim Healey of Newsday reports.

Before Carrasco was pulled from the contest, he was visited on the mound by both manager Buck Showalter and a team trainer, so it isn't entirely clear if his departure was linked to an injury or poor performance. The right-hander was in the midst of a rough outing, as he served up five runs on four hits -- including three home runs -- and two walks while striking out two over 2.1 innings. Reliever Yoan Lopez recorded the final two outs of the bottom of the third.

Cabrera (elbow) didn't make his rehab start Wednesday with Triple-A Jacksonville as originally planned after he had to tend to a personal matter, Christina De Nicola of MLB.com reports.

The Marlins don't believe Cabrera will be away from the Triple-A club for more than a day or two, but his timeline for rejoining the big-league roster will be delayed a bit after he missed out on the rehab start. if Cabrera is ready to make a start for Jacksonville this weekend, he could still be a candidate to return from the 15-day injured list at some point next week.