MLB Player News

Flexen (3-4) allowed seven runs on nine hits and two walks while striking out a single batter through four innings during Sunday's loss to Houston.

With a 7.85 ERA, 2.07 WHIP and 5.9 K/9 through his first eight career starts, Flexen is clearly overmatched at the highest level. After all, the 23-year-old righty topped out at just seven starts at Double-A Binghamton before joining the Mets. At best, Flexen is a potential flier against favorable opponents. But in most settings, it's probably best to fade him entirely considering his current form. He lines up to face the Reds at Citi Field in his next start.

Wood (chest) has been activated from the disabled list in advance of his scheduled start Sunday in San Diego, MLB.com reports.

Wood struck out eight in a quality start against the Padres back on June 30, and picked up a hold as a reliever against them in his first appearance of the year. He'll look to continue building momentum Sunday, making his 21st start of the season against a team that strikes out at a 25.1 percent clip -- the second-worst mark in the league.

Manager Pete Mackanin said Eickhoff's (hand) MRI came back "pretty clean," but the team decided to shut him down for the season anyway, Matt Breen of The Philadelphia Inquirer reports.

Eickhoff, who is dealing with nerve irritation in his right hand, was moved to the 60-day disabled list Saturday. He saw his velocity dip to an average of 89.4 mph in August, so the Phillies decided rest was the best course of action rather than trying to push him to return this season. Jake Thompson will take Eickhoff's spot in the rotation.

Thompson will be recalled from Triple-A Lehigh Valley on Sunday to start against the Marlins, Walter Villa of CSN Philadelphia reports.

Thompson has made six appearances, including three starts, for the Phillies this season, going 1-1 with a 5.40 ERA. He's struggled in the minors this season, as well, but the Phillies have limited options to fill their opening in the rotation with Jerad Eickhoff (hand) out for the rest of the year. Thompson could be a good target to stack hitters against in daily fantasy lineups Sunday.

Mahle fired six scoreless innings Saturday against the Pirates, allowing just five hits while striking out three. He didn't factor into the decision.

Although he was somewhat erratic (just 65 of his 105 offerings went for strikes, and he hit a pair of batters), the pitching prospect managed to limit the traffic on the basepaths and keep the Buccos off the board. However, he was stuck with a no-decision thanks to the lack of production from Cincinnati on the evening. Mahle now has a 2.45 ERA on the season and seems to be in line to maintain a spot in the Reds' rotation as long as he isn't shut down in an effort to limit his workload. Should he make his next start as scheduled, he'll take on the Mets on the road.

Taillon tossed six scoreless innings Saturday against the Reds, allowing just three hits while walking one and striking out four. He didn't factor into the decision.

Despite the strong effort, the Pirates' offense failed to generate any offense until after he had departed. Taillon had a rough month of August, posting a 6.60 ERA and 16 walks in six starts, but this is a good bounce-back effort in both categories to begin the new month. His next turn in the rotation will come against the Cubs later in the week.

Lynn was outstanding Saturday against the Giants, completing eight shutout innings while allowing just one hit, walking four and striking our four. He did not factor into the decision, however.

Lynn was in line for the victory after departing, but the St. Louis bullpen wound up blowing the team's small lead in the ninth inning to leave the starter with a no-decision. Since the All-Star break, the 30-year-old has been pitching like an ace, logging a 1.99 ERA and a 1.17 WHIP in 10 second-half starts. He'll look to keep the good times going in his next start Thursday in San Diego.

Lyles gave up two runs on six hits and four walks while striking out three over 4.1 innings in a no-decision against the Dodgers in Game 2 of Saturday's doubleheader.

Not bad for a player making his first big-league start since May of 2016, going against the best team in baseball, but certainly not great either. Lyles figures to work primarily out of the bullpen the rest of the way, but he will likely be near the top of the list if the need for a spot starter arises again.

Darvish (2-2) took the loss to the Padres in the second game of Saturday's doubleheader, allowing five runs on eight hits and three walks over three innings. He struck out five.

This was an uncharacteristic flop for Darvish, which was all the more surprising given that it came against the Padres' "B" lineup in the nightcap. Darvish allowed three runs or fewer in each of his first four starts for the Dodgers, and this outing will likely prove to be nothing more than a blip on the radar. Up next for Darvish, a home matchup against the Rockies.

Lugo (5-4) took the loss in Game 2 of Saturday's doubleheader against the Astros, allowing four runs on eight hits and two walks over five innings. He struck out six.

Lugo matched zeroes on the scoreboard with Brad Peacock through five, but he unraveled in the sixth, allowing four batters to reach base without recording an out. The right-hander has pitched reasonably well this year for a guy with a partially torn UCL, but he's not moving the needle for anyone in mixed leagues. He lines up to face the Reds in his next scheduled start.