MLB Player News

Lyles (5-1) earned the win despite allowing six runs on seven hits and one walk across 5.2 innings Thursday against the Rockies. He struck out six.

Staked to a big lead and a shutout heading into the sixth inning, Lyles crumbled as he gave up six runs on five hits and a walk -- he was one strike away from getting out of the inning without allowing a run. Still, his team went on to pad the lead to preserve his fifth win of the season. Lyles had been outstanding prior to this effort and still owns a shiny 2.81 ERA heading into his next start against the Reds.

Senzatela (3-4) allowed eight runs on nine hits and three walks across 3.1 innings to take the loss Thursday against the Pirates. He struck one two.

Senzatela got off to a dreadful start, allowing four runs in the inning before he was touched up for three more in the third. He came back out for the fourth but recorded just one out as he allowed two hits and a run before he was lifted. Senzatela showed signs of promise over his last two starts, but this poor showing bloated his ERA back up to 6.21 ahead of next week's start against the Diamondbacks.

Matz allowed one earned run on 10 hits and two walks while striking out seven across six innings Thursday against the Nationals. He did not factor into the decision.

Matz worked out of trouble for most of the day as he allowed multiple baserunners in four of the six innings he pitched. Still, he managed to limit the damage by inducing two double plays and also generating timely strikeouts. While the results were strong, his swinging strikes indicate that he wasn't particularly deceptive, especially when combined with the fact that he allowed 12 baserunners. Regardless, he'll look to keep the relatively positive results going in his next start, currently scheduled for Tuesday at the Dodgers.

Nola (5-0) picked up the win against the Cubs on Thursday, giving up three earned runs on four hits over 5.1 innings, striking out six and walking four as the Phillies got a 9-7 victory.

Nola didn't have his best command, issuing four free passes, but he did enough to pick up his fifth win of the season and keep his record perfect. He's been pitching better of late after a rough start to the year, and he's still providing good strikeout numbers, but his 4.53 ERA and 1.53 WHIP over 57.2 innings are still disappointing so far coming off last season's lights-out campaign.

Strasburg allowed three runs (two earned) on five hits and two walks while striking out five across seven innings Thursday against the Mets. He did not factor into the decision.

Strasburg cruised through his first four innings of work as he allowed only one walk and two hits. However, his control wavered a bit towards the end of his effort as he hit a batter, threw a wild pitch and walked a hitter -- all in the sixth frame. Overall, this was still a strong start for Strasburg as he did not surrender an extra-base hit and worked deep into the game. He has now completed more than six innings in six of his past seven outings. Strasburg will look to keep his strong performance going in his next start, currently scheduled for Tuesday at Atlanta.

Velasquez (forearm) is one of two candidates, along with Nick Pivetta, to start Tuesday against the Cardinals, Matt Breen of The Philadelphia Inquirer reports.

The Phillies have an opening in the rotation after demoting Cole Irvin to Triple-A Lehigh Valley, and it will be one of Velasquez or Pivetta. Manager Gabe Kapler said Wednesday that, in theory, he loves the idea of using Velasquez out of the bullpen once he is healthy and that returning to the rotation is "not a right". Pivetta has a 3.41 ERA, 1.14 WHIP and 50 strikeouts in 37 innings through six starts at Triple-A, but he has also walked at least three batters in every start he has made at Triple-A this season. Regardless of whether Velasquez is tabbed for the start, the fact that he is an option suggests he will be activated from the IL at some point next week.

Brubaker (forearm) was recently cleared to resume a throwing program, Adam Berry of MLB.com reports.

Brubaker has been out of action at Triple-A Indianapolis for the past month after suffering a forearm strain. The prolonged shutdown has apparently had the desired effect, as Brubaker should be able to gradually increase the distance and intensity of his throwing sessions before facing hitters. He's still probably at least a couple weeks away from being activated from Indianapolis' 7-day injured list.

Williams (side) has been cleared to perform light rehab exercises but has yet to initiate a throwing program, Adam Berry of MLB.com reports.

The Pirates will check back in on Williams' condition over the weekend, at which point he could be cleared to play catch off flat ground. Pittsburgh has yet to outline a concrete timeline for Williams' return from the 10-day injured list, but based on his current rehab schedule, it's probably safe at this point to rule him out through the rest of May.

Manager Craig Counsell said Anderson will start Friday's series opener against the Phillies, Tom Haudricourt of the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel reports.

Due to off days Monday and Thursday, the Brewers had the option of shortening their rotation this week, but Anderson will instead receive another turn as Counsell sticks with a five-man setup. While facing a limited pitch count in his return from the 10-day injured list last weekend in Atlanta, Anderson limited the Braves to one unearned run over four frames but issued four free passes. Even with a better showing versus the Phillies, Anderson won't be assured a rotation spot heading into next week with Jimmy Nelson (shoulder) potentially returning from the IL.

Greinke is scheduled to make his next start Monday against the Rockies in Colorado, Shaun O'Neill of MLB.com reports.

Much to the chagrin of Greinke's fantasy managers, the Diamondbacks' decision to add a fifth starter (Taylor Clarke) to their rotation Saturday in San Francisco will result in the ace missing out on a cushy two-start week. After turning in his eighth consecutive quality start in Tuesday's loss to San Diego, Greinke will now be challenged to keep that streak going when he returns to the hill at the hitters' haven that is Coors Field.