MLB Player News

Wacha (6-1) tossed six one-run innings to earn the win Tuesday against the Brewers, allowing two hits with four walks and three strikeouts.

Though he struggled to throw strikes at times, Wacha kept the ball down effectively and induced 10 groundouts on the night. He took a shutout into the seventh inning, but he put two men on before his removal and watched as the bullpen allowed one of them to cross. This strong start continued an outstanding run for Wacha, who's now allowed two earned runs or fewer in eight straight starts to lower his ERA to 2.71. He'll look to continue his recent success this weekend against the Pirates.

Maeda exited Tuesday's game against the Phillies with a right hip strain, Ken Gurnick of MLB.com reports.

Maeda was visited by the athletic trainer twice in the second inning and lasted only 1.2 innings Tuesday, allowing two runs on three hits and a walk. The severity of the injury remains unclear, and the 30-year-old should be considered day-to-day for now.

Maeda left Tuesday's game against the Phillies after 1.2 innings with an apparent injury, Pedro Moura of The Athletic Los Angeles reports.

Manager Dave Roberts and the athletic trainer visited the mound twice in the second inning, ultimately removing Maeda after the second visit. The 30-year-old allowed two runs on three hits and a walk, recording two strikeouts. The specifics and severity of the injury are currently unclear.

Matz left Tuesday's game against the Braves with discomfort in the middle finger of his left hand, Mike Puma of the New York Post reports.

Matz allowed one hit and two walks with two strikeouts through three scoreless frames, but was examined and then removed after throwing his warm-up pitches prior to the fourth inning. Fortunately, the X-ray results came back negative, but the 27-year-old's status for his next expected start -- Sunday against the Cubs -- remains unclear.

Reyes was called up by the Reds on Tuesday, Mark Sheldon of MLB.com reports.

Cincinnati needed to reinforce the bullpen after it was forced to cover five innings in relief of Homer Bailey on Monday. Reyes has a 5.97 ERA at the Double-A level so far this year, but the estimators point to him being roughly two runs better than that number would suggest. He's posted a 39:11 K:BB and has allowed just four home runs in 37.2 innings.

Martinez (lat) will make a rehab start for Double-A Springfield on Thursday, Derrick Goold of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch reports.

Martinez is scheduled to throw around 50-to-60 pitches, and the Cardinals figure to determine the next step in his rehab following the abbreviated outing. While nothing has been confirmed at this point, it sounds like the ace could potentially rejoin the big-league rotation next week if everything goes off without a hitch Thursday. Martinez had a shiny 1.62 ERA before landing on the disabled list with a lat strain May 10.

Ray (oblique) threw a 15-pitch bullpen session Tuesday, Zach Buchanan of The Athletic Arizona reports.

Ray's follow-up MRI apparently revealed the southpaw's Grade 2 oblique strain is healing as expected, clearing the way for him to throw off a mound for the first time since landing on the disabled list at the end of April. The lefty tossed strictly fastballs in the session, but is expected to incorporate more breaking pitches the next time he throws off the mound. The Diamondbacks don't have a firm timetable for Ray's return, but it doesn't appear he'll be reinstated from the 10-day disabled list until mid-June at the earliest.

Soroka (shoulder) will make a minor-league rehab start with Low-A Rome on Friday, David O'Brien of The Atlanta Journal-Constitution reports.

Soroka came through a bullpen session earlier in the week with no issues, clearing the way for him to return to game action. It's unclear if the youngster will need another rehab start beyond Friday, but that will likely depend on how he feels after his first outing. Soroka, who hasn't pitched since May 12 due to a right shoulder strain, should immediately slot back into the Braves' rotation once healthy.

Lugo will get the nod for Thursday's tilt against the Cubs, Mike Puma of the New York Post reports.

With Noah Syndergaard (finger) being placed on the 10-day disabled list, Lugo will get a chance to make his first start of the 2018 season Thursday. He's been a reliable arm out of the Mets' bullpen thus far, posting a 2.48 ERA and 1.01 WHIP with 34 strikeouts across 32.2 innings. Lugo will face a tough challenge in his first starting assignment of the campaign.

Alcantara tossed seven innings of one-run ball to pick up the win Tuesday in Triple-A New Orleans' 5-1 victory over Iowa. He scattered five hits and two walks and struck out three.

The right-hander lowered his ERA to 3.43 with the quality start and has consistently avoided blowup outings throughout the season, allowing no more than four earned runs in any of his 10 starts. Alcantara's strikeout rate sits at a pedestrian 6.4 K/9 for the season, but he's at least combated the lack of swing-and-miss stuff with improved control, as he has yielded just five total walks over his last five outings. The Marlins will probably give Alcantara a look in the big-league rotation at some point this summer, though expectations should be tempered from a fantasy standpoint in light of his diminished strikeout production and poor team context.