MLB Player News

Martinez gave up a hit and struck out one in a scoreless ninth inning Tuesday to record his 18th save of the season in a 1-0 win over the Giants.

The right-hander has now strung together seven straight scoreless appearances, posting an 11:3 K:BB through 7.1 innings over that stretch, and he hasn't blown a save in almost a month. Martinez now sports a 3.15 ERA and 44:15 K:BB through 40 innings on the year, and he'll need to stay locked in down the stretch if the Cards are going to secure another NL Central crown.

Flaherty (9-7) picked up the win in Tuesday's 1-0 victory over the Giants, giving up only one hit and one walk over eight scoreless innings while striking out eight.

The right-hander fired 113 pitches (84 strikes) and wasn't quite efficient enough to get a chance at his first career shutout, but otherwise Flaherty was flat out dominant. He'll take a 3.14 ERA and 186:48 K:BB through 160.1 innings into his next start Sunday in Pittsburgh.

Lyles (10-8) picked up the win in Tuesday's 4-2 victory over the Astros, allowing two runs on six hits over 6.1 innings while striking out two.

It's his third quality start in seven trips to the mound since coming over to Milwaukee, and Lyles' 2.56 ERA, 1.06 WHIP and 34:14 K:BB through 38.2 innings during that stretch -- not to mention his 5-1 record -- have helped keep the Brewers' playoff aspirations alive. He'll look to keep rolling in his next outing Monday in Miami.

Urias didn't factor into the decision against the Rockies on Tuesday, giving up one earned run on two hits over three innings, striking out three and walking none as the Dodgers eventually won 5-3.

It was an abbreviated outing as Urias works his way back into action coming off his 20-game suspension, so he didn't qualify for a decision, but he looked good over the opening three innings before making way for his bullpen. He should see his workload increase as the Dodgers attempt to ready him to be able to make starts in the playoffs.

Urena pitched a perfect 10th inning en route to a save in a 5-4 victory against the Pirates on Tuesday.

Used almost entirely as a starter before hitting the IL with a back issue in June, Urena got his first save chance of the season and it couldn't have gone better. He needed 15 pitches to retire three batters, but he didn't allow a baserunner, recording two groundouts and a flyout. Urena is expected to be the primary closer for the rest of the year.

Kelly (10-13) picked up the win against the Padres on Tuesday, throwing seven scoreless innings while allowing just three hits, striking out nine and walking two in the Diamondbacks' 2-1 victory.

It was a dominant outing for the right-hander, who got the better of Ronald Bolanos and picked up his 10th win of the season. He's shown flashes of this ability this season, but Kelly's overall inconsistency has made him difficult to trust, as he's sporting an unspectacular 4.69 ERA and 1.35 WHIP across 157.1 innings. He'll look to build on this performance in his next start, which will see him take on the Mets in a road matchup Monday.

Alcantara allowed four runs on three hits with four walks and seven strikeouts across seven innings in a no-decision against the Pirates on Tuesday.

The 23-year-old continues to rack up the strikeouts, as he's punched out 22 hitters in his last 20 innings, but he has lost his last six decisions and hasn't won a game since June 21. Alcantara is hit or miss in the ERA department as well, so owners deploying him really are just counting on strikeouts, and even so, his strikeout rate has only increased recently. He is 4-12 with a 4.26 ERA, 1.36 WHIP and 123 strikeouts in 162.2 innings this season. Alcantara will take the mound again Sunday at home against the Royals.

Velasquez didn't factor in the decision in Tuesday's win at Cincinnati after giving up one run on four hits across three innings. He struck out five and walked two.

Velasquez allowed only the single run, but he needed 67 pitches to work through the three innings, so manager Gabe Kapler decided to take advantage of the extra arms in the bullpen. The 27-year-old has a 4.80 ERA, 1.35 WHIP and 108:37 K:BB over 99.1 innings and lines up to face the Mets on Sunday, but he could continue to see a shorter leash thanks to September's expanded roster.

DeGrom allowed four earned runs on eight hits and three walks while striking out six across seven innings Tuesday against the Nationals. He did not factor into the decision.

DeGrom worked effectively through the seventh frame, as he allowed just two earned runs on six hits. However, he was sent back out in the eighth inning and surrendered an infield single followed by a two-run home run to sour the outing, a point made worse by the bullpen blowing a big lead in the ninth and costing deGrom a win. Despite allowing four earned runs in consecutive starts, deGrom still owns a strong 2.76 ERA and 1.05 WHIP across 176 innings for the season. He'll look to get back on track in his next start, currently scheduled for Monday against Arizona.

Cueto (elbow) experienced back tightness during Tuesday's bullpen session and is "doubtful" to start against the Dodgers this weekend, Kerry Crowley of The San Jose Mercury News reports.

The Giants had been targeting Sunday as Cueto's potential return date, but things will be put on hold until he's re-evaluated in a couple days. The 33-year-old is about 13 months removed from Tommy John surgery, so the Giants are likely to remain cautious with only a few weeks left in the regular season.