MLB Player News

Lopez allowed four runs on seven hits with one strikeout and a walk over 3.2 innings during a no-decision against the Nationals on Friday.

The 23-year-old continued his pattern of alternating fantastic outings with terrible ones. In two of his last four starts, Lopez has pitched at least six shutout innings. During the other two, he's yielded a total of 14 runs in 6.2 innings. It hasn't averaged out in his favor, as his ERA has jumped nearly a run and a half during this four-game span. Lopez is now 3-5 with a 5.40 ERA, 1.24 WHIP and 50 strikeouts in 51.2 innings. He is scheduled to pitch next against the Giants on Wednesday.

Syndergaard allowed six runs on 10 hits and a walk while striking out nine across 5.1 innings Friday night in a no-decision against the Tigers.

Syndergaard was hammered early in this one, surrendering two first-inning runs before yielding two more in the second, one in the fifth and another in the sixth. The 26-year-old right-hander turned in an uncharacteristic outing, though he managed to slip off the hook for the loss. Entering the day, he'd put together quality starts in three of his last four outings.

DeSclafani allowed four runs on five hits with two strikeouts and three walks across 3.2 innings during a no-decision against the Cubs on Friday.

The Reds offense came back to bail out DeSclafani this time, but he yielded three home runs for the second straight start. He's allowed 13 homers in his last nine outings, and during that span, the right-hander has posted a 5.40 ERA. Unfortunately, there aren't many signs indicating this home run barrage could end anytime soon. DeSclafani's flyball rate is near 50 percent, and his HR/FB is only a tick higher than last season (20.0 percent). Overall, he is 2-2 with a 4.99 ERA, 1.32 WHIP and 52 strikeouts in 48.2 innings. He is scheduled to make his next start Tuesday against the Pirates.

Lucchesi surrendered three runs on three hits and one walk while striking out 11 over 6.2 innings Friday night in a no-decision against the Blue Jays.

Lucchesi's offense spotted him an early 3-0 lead, but he then allowed three runs in the fifth on a pair of long balls. He was successful in pounding the zone, however, hurling 66 of 95 pitches for strikes on the way to a quality start. The southpaw owns a 4.25 ERA and 1.18 WHIP with a 57:14 K:BB over 55 innings this season.

Hendricks allowed three runs across six innings while not factoring into the decision in Friday's loss to the Reds. He gave up six hits and a walk, while striking out nine.

Hendricks left the game in line for his fifth win of the season, but the Cubs' bullpen allowed three runs over three innings to blow the lead. The nine strikeouts are the most for Hendricks since he fanned 11 across seven innings in a start back on April 19. The righty will take a 3.34 ERA into his next outing against a strong Astros offense on Wednesday.

Wacha will come out of the bullpen for the "foreseeable future," Rob Rains of StLSportsPage.com reports.

Wacha simply hasn't found success within the starting rotation this season for St. Louis, accruing a 5.59 ERA and 1.69 WHIP with a 43:29 K:BB over 46.2 frames. The Cardinals are hoping a change of roles will be just what he needs to get back on track. The team is expected to call up a starting pitcher from Triple-A Memphis to take Wacha's place in the rotation.

Velasquez (forearm) was activated from the 10-day injured list Friday, Jim Salisbury of NBC Sports Philadelphia reports.

Velasquez is back even though the Phillies don't need a starter until Tuesday. He remains a candidate to start that day but could also be used in the bullpen before then. Nick Pivetta could also get the start Tuesday, regardless of whether Velasquez has been used in relief. Drew Anderson was optioned to Triple-A Lehigh Valley in a corresponding move.

Wright was recalled by the Braves on Friday.

Wright has struggled to a 7.07 ERA in three starts for the Braves this season and has an even worse 7.57 ERA in six starts for Triple-A Gwinnett. He appears to be up as long-relief depth this time around, as outfielder Matt Joyce was placed on the bereavement list in a corresponding move, and the Braves have no current holes in their rotation.

Martinez is not expected to be a rotation candidate at any point this season, manager Mike Shildt told MLB Network Radio on SiriusXM on Friday.

Shildt did frame the statement with "as of right now," so plans could change, but the Cardinals' current intention appears to be to have Martinez remain a reliever for the rest of the season. He hasn't given up a run in his three relief appearances since returning from a shoulder injury in mid-May, but his path to broader fantasy relevance at this point probably involves an injury to closer Jordan Hicks, unless the Cardinals change their minds about his Martinez's future as a starter.

Gausman threw six innings and allowed three runs on four hits and two walks while striking out six against the Giants on Thursday. He did not factor into the decision.

The quality start was Gausman's third in a row following a four-game stretch in which he failed to complete more than 5.1 innings. In his last three outings, he has allowed only six earned runs in 18 innings and has whiffed 16 batters. He'll face the Nationals at home on Wednesday in his next scheduled start.