MLB Player News

Flaherty (2-0) allowed one earned run on three hits and no walks while striking out six across five innings to earn the win Tuesday against the Nationals.

Flaherty received 14 runs of support from the Cardinals' offense, helping him cruise to his second win of the season. He did plenty of work on his own as well, generating 18 called strikes and nine swinging strikes across 96 total pitches. After getting roughed up by the Reds on Opening Day, Flaherty has allowed only one run across 11 innings in his two subsequent starts. The only downside to this point has been his inability to work deep into games, as he's surpassed five innings of work only once. He'll carry a 4.11 ERA and 16:6 K:BB into his fourth start of the season, currently projected to come Monday in a rematch at Washington.

Fried (0-1) will undergo a precautionary MRI on his right hamstring after Tuesday's loss to the Marlins, David O'Brien of The Athletic reports. The left-hander took the loss after surrendering eight runs (seven earned) on nine hits with three strikeouts and two walks over four innings.

The 27-year-old apparently suffered the injury while running the bases after his final at-bat Tuesday, so it can't be blamed for him struggling for a second consecutive start. Fried's availability for his next turn through the rotation Sunday against the Cubs will remain up in the air until the results of the MRI are announced.

Strasburg (0-1) allowed eight runs (seven earned) on eight hits and five walks while striking out three across four innings to take the loss Tuesday against the Cardinals.

Strasburg was in trouble throughout this start, surrendering a home run to the second batter he faced. Things didn't improve from there, as he allowed two more homers in the outing, with the long balls accounting for five of his seven earned runs. To add to the troubling results, Strasburg averaged only 90.6 mph with his fastball and maxed out at 92.1 mph, and he was seen rubbing his shoulder in the tunnel, Mark Zuckerman of MASNSports.com reports. This effort stands in stark contrast to his opening start of the season, in which he punched out eight batters across six scoreless innings. Strasburg will look to return to that form in his next turn through the rotation, currently scheduled for Sunday against Arizona.

Woodruff allowed one earned run on three hits and one walk while striking out six across six innings Tuesday against the Cubs. He did not factor into the decision.

Woodruff has faced the Cubs in his last two starts -- a stretch in which he allowed only one earned run across 13 innings with 14 strikeouts and one walk. However, he didn't earn a victory on either occasion even though he left Tuesday's game with a lead. After a shaky start on Opening Day, Woodruff has produced as expected but will face a challenge in his next start, which is slated to come Monday at San Diego.

Manager David Bell said Gray (back) is healthy and expected to start Friday or Saturday against Cleveland, C. Trent Rosecrans of The Athletic reports.

The 31-year-old completed a simulated game last weekend and is now poised to make his season debut toward the end of the week. Gray was shut down for a few days in mid-March with back spasms, delaying his start to the season by two weeks.

Hendricks won't start Tuesday at Milwaukee "out of an abundance of caution" since he isn't feeling well.

The decision was announced less than a half hour before first pitch, pushing Alec Mills into an emergency spot start for the Cubs. It's unclear whether Hendricks is expected to skip his turn through the rotation, so he could still take the mound later this week.

Wood (back) will make his second rehab start at the Giants' alternate site Tuesday, Alex Pavlovic of NBC Sports Bay Area reports.

Wood underwent a minor back procedure in mid-March. It's unclear exactly when he's expected to return, but he'll likely be ready for his season debut fairly soon.

Kim (back) will make his season debut Saturday against the Phillies, Jeff Jones of the Belleville News-Democrat reports.

Kim developed back issues in mid-March and will wind up missing just over two weeks. He threw 86 pitches at the team's alternate training site Sunday, so he should be ready to handle a full workload in his season debut. His return will push Daniel Ponce de Leon back to the bullpen.

The Cardinals optioned Oviedo to their alternate training site following Monday's 5-2 loss to the Nationals.

After tossing 4.2 innings (65 pitches) in long relief in Sunday's loss to the Brewers, Oviedo wasn't available for the series opener versus Washington, and he likely wouldn't have been ready to pitch for at least another day or two. As such, St. Louis has opted to swap Oviedo out for a fresh relief arm in Kodi Whitley, who was recalled from the alternate site in a corresponding move. Oviedo should be back up with the big club later this season when the Cardinals require a spot starter or long man.

Gallen (forearm) was activated from the 10-day injured list as expected ahead of his scheduled Tuesday start against the Athletics.

Gallen suffered a hairline fracture in his right forearm in late March and initially had a rather ambiguous timeline. As it turns out, he won't end up missing more than two starts. After throwing 67 pitches in a simulated game Wednesday, he'll likely be on some sort of pitch count in his season debut but could still last long enough to be eligible for a win if he's efficient.