MLB Player News

Lively (2-5) beat the Marlins with six innings of two-run ball Thursday, allowing just six hits with one walk and five strikeouts.

While you wouldn't know it from his record, Lively has now turned in quality starts in seven of his first 10 major-league appearances. The rookie successfully navigated a dangerous Miami lineup in this one, most notably holding Giancarlo Stanton without a hit in three at-bats. Lively also helped his own cause at the dish, knocking in two runs with a timely bases-loaded single in the fourth inning. His 5.1 K/9 limits Lively's appeal next time out in what otherwise looks like a favorable matchup Tuesday at Citi Field.

Maeda (12-6) allowed seven runs on eight hits and a walk while striking out four batters through just three innings during Thursday's loss to Arizona.

Maeda entered with a 2.78 ERA through his previous 10 starts, so owners shouldn't overreact to Thursday's poor showing. Arizona has been a high-powered offense at Chase Field all season and sports the second-best home wOBA (.353) in the majors. Maeda will look to bounce back in his next start against the Diamondbacks at Dodger Stadium.

Greinke (16-6) allowed a single run on four hits and two walks while striking out six batters through six innings during Thursday's win over the Dodgers.

The Dodgers beat Greinke in their last meeting, so it was encouraging to see the 33-year-old veteran rebound with a win against his former club Thursday. Greinke boasts a rock-solid 3.08 ERA, 1.07 WHIP and 9.8 K/9 for the campaign, and his 16 wins pace the majors. It's worth noting that he's been less effective away from Chase Field this season with a road 4.28 ERA, though. His next start projects to come at Dodger Stadium.

Lucchesi, 24, has a 1.79 ERA and 53:14 K:BB in 60.1 innings since being promoted to Double-A San Antonio.

Opposing batters are hitting just .208 against the 6-foot-5 southpaw at this level. Lucchesi has been even better of late, tossing three straight quality starts while posting a 21:3 K:BB over that span. Despite the lack of an overpowering heater, Lucchesi is still finding ways to miss bats.

DeGrom (14-8) was charged with four runs (three earned) on six hits over six innings in a losing effort against the Reds on Thursday. He struck out five and walked three batters.

It goes down as a quality start, but deGrom wasn't as sharp in this one as he normally is. He issued walks to the likes of Patrick Kivlehan and Stuart Turner and gave up a homer to Scooter Gennett, lifting his August ERA to 3.92. DeGrom had back-to-back sub-3.00 ERA months coming into August and he's still top-10 in the National League in most traditional pitching categories, so he should remain a fixture in fantasy lineups over the season's final month.

Allard, 20, has accumulated 32 strikeouts in his last four outings at Double-A Mississippi, a span of 25.2 innings.

Allard has tossed quality starts in each of those games to lower his season ERA to 3.34. Despite being one of the youngest hurlers at this level in 2017, he has more than held his own, and his strikeout numbers have spiked of late. A 2018 debut for the Braves is not out of the question for the southpaw.

Nicasio was claimed off waivers by the Phillies on Thursday.

The Phillies agreed to take on the $600,000 left on Nicasio's contract to gain his services for the final month of the season. The 31-year-old reliever compiled a 2.85 ERA, 1.12 WHIP and 60 strikeouts in 60 innings for the Pirates earlier in the season. He'll likely serve in a setup role for his new club. Brock Stassi was designated for assignment to make room on the roster for him.

Manager Dave Roberts said Kershaw (back) will be on a loose five-inning, 75-pitch limit in his first start back from the disabled list Friday, Bill Plunkett of The Orange County Register reports.

Kershaw looked strong in his only rehab start with Triple-A Oklahoma City -- tossing 64 pitches and striking out eight batters through five innings of one-run ball -- but the Dodgers will play it safe with their ace and monitor his workload in his first start since July 23. Even with Friday's limitations, it would seem unwise not to start the 29-year-old given his stellar 2.04 ERA and 168:24 K:BB through 141.1 innings this season. Once Kershaw returns, the Dodgers are expected to deploy a six-man rotation.

Eickhoff was placed on the 10-day disabled list with nerve irritation in his right hand.

Eickhoff was forced out of his last start in the third inning due to the issue, and it's apparently serious enough to warrant a stay on the disabled list. With no timetable set for his return, it's unclear if he'll make another start for the big club this season. The 27-year-old owns a 4.71 ERA and 118:53 K:BB through 128 innings (24 starts) this year. Ricardo Pinto was recalled from Triple-A Lehigh Valley in a corresponding roster move, while Jake Thompson will likely enter the rotation in Eickhoff's place.

Reds manager Bryan Price suggested Wednesday that DeSclafani (elbow) isn't likely to come off the 60-day disabled list to pitch for the big club in September, Andy Call of MLB.com reports. "We have to get [DeSclafani] to the point where we have somewhat of an idea of a workload that can help make sure his elbow is in a good enough spot to go into the offseason," Price said. "We need to build up a body of work that builds confidence he is going to be able to get through this elbow issue."

DeSclafani has been sidelined all season with elbow problems, with his most recent setback coming during his July 29 rehab start with Low-A Dayton. The right-hander was later diagnosed with elbow tendinitis and was cleared to resume a throwing program last week, but it doesn't sound like the non-contending Reds are eager to rush him back into action with the big club in the season's final month. After throwing a 20-pitch bullpen session Tuesday, Desclafani will pitch off the mound again Friday, before perhaps facing hitters during the upcoming week. If DeSclafani is able to avoid any further hiccups in the recovery process over the next few weeks, the Reds could allow him to pitch in some Arizona Fall League games in attempt to build his arm back up heading into next spring.