MLB Player News

Hendricks (4-6) earned the win over Cincinnati on Thursday, pitching six innings and allowing two runs on six hits and one walk while striking out seven.

The Cubs built an early lead that ballooned to seven runs through three innings, so Hendricks faced little stress in earning his fourth victory. Still, the veteran was more deceptive than usual, notching 15 swinging strikes and a tying a season high with seven punchouts. Hendricks has had his share of poor performances this season, but he's registered consecutive quality starts during which he's allowed just two runs while striking out 13 across 13.2 innings.

Anderson (6-5) allowed seven earned runs on seven hits and one walk while striking out one across two innings to take the loss Thursday against the Phillies.

Anderson had a disastrous second inning, as he allowed the first five batters he faced to reach base -- accounting for four earned runs. After finally getting an out, Anderson served up a three-run homer to Nick Castellanos to cap off the seven-run inning. Anderson has allowed at least four earned runs in six of his last eight outings, which has inflated his ERA to 5.31 on the campaign.

Nola (5-5) allowed four earned runs on seven hits and one walk while striking out eight across seven innings to earn the win Thursday against Atlanta.

Nola was given an 11-run lead by the fourth inning, so he was able to pound the strike zone -- 83 of his 110 pitches went for strikes. However, that did lead to him serving up a pair of homers, marking only the third time he's been taken deep multiple times in an outing this season. Otherwise, Nola has been in excellent form, as he entered Thursday's start having allowed fewer than two earned runs while working at least seven innings in each of his last four starts. Overall, he has maintained a 3.13 ERA and an impeccable 117:14 K:BB across 103.2 frames on the campaign.

Houser will be placed on the injured list after suffering an elbow injury during Thursday's start against Pittsburgh, Todd Rosiak of the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel reports.

Houser exited Thursday's outing after only 2.1 innings due to tightness in his right elbow. There's no further information currently available, though manager Craig Counsell said Houser will return to Milwaukee to have his elbow examined. The move has not yet been made official, but Houser will be out until at least mid-July.

Brubaker (2-7) earned the win Thursday over Milwaukee, striking out six in six innings while allowing four runs on seven hits and two walks.

Even though he was hit hard and gave up six extra-base hits, Brubaker managed to get the victory as the Pirates offense scored eight runs. After starting the season 0-7, the 28-year-old has won two of his last three starts and has a 3.50 ERA, 17:5 K:BB and no homers allowed over18 innings in that span. His next start will likely be in the middle of next week against the Yankees.

Houser exited Thursday's start against the Pirates with right elbow tightness, Todd Rosiak of the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel reports.

Houser left the start after just 2.1 innings. While there are no further details, the diagnosis suggests Houser could be in danger of missing at least his next start -- currently projected to come July 5 against the Cubs. Chi Chi Gonzalez appears to be the likeliest candidate to take that turn through the rotation.

Houser exited his start Thursday against the Pirates with an apparent injury, Adam McCalvy of MLB.com reports.

Houser came out after throwing 2.1 innings, though the cause of his discomfort was not clear. He surrendered three earned runs on five hits -- including a pair of homers -- and a walk. Milwaukee's rotation is getting healthier, but if Houser is forced to miss any time it would likely force Chi Chi Gonzalez to stick in the starting five.

Ashby (forearm) is lined up to start Saturday's game in Pittsburgh, Adam McCalvy of MLB.com reports.

Ashby threw a bullpen session Wednesday that apparently went well, as the southpaw is slated to return from the 15-day injured list when first eligible Saturday. The 24-year-old struggled ahead of his absence, as he allowed 14 runs in 15 innings over his three starts prior to landing on the IL.

Gutierrez (elbow) will throw live batting practice Friday, Charlie Goldsmith of The Cincinnati Enquirer reports.

Gutierrez progressed to mound work last week, and he's now been cleared to face live hitters. After being shut down with a first-degree UCL strain in his right elbow earlier in June, the 26-year-old has recently made encouraging progress in his recovery.

Alexander appeared in relief Tuesday in the Brewers' 5-3 win over the Rays, recording two outs while allowing two runs (one earned) on one hit and two walks.

Alexander had started in each of his first five appearances with Milwaukee and posted a 3.21 ERA and 1.64 WHIP over those outings, but he looks as though he'll move to the bullpen after the Brewers welcomed Brandon Woodruff back from the injured list Tuesday. Milwaukee still has room in the rotation for a fifth starter while both Freddy Peralta (lat) and Aaron Ashby (forearm) remain on the IL, but Chi Chi Gonzalez looks like he'll take on that role rather than Alexander.