MLB Player News

Solis allowed a solo home run in the 11th inning, but still picked up the save Thursday against Houston.

Solis' struggles with the long ball continue, as he has now allowed four home runs over 16.1 innings, a major contributor to his brutal 9.37 ERA. Solis was fantastic in 2016 and will continue to get chances based off those excellent 41 innings (47 strikeouts, 2.41 ERA), but don't expect him to earn too many save chances outside of deep extra innings.

Strasburg tossed six scoreless innings with seven strikeouts and allowed just three hits and a walk but did not factor into the decision Thursday against the Astros.

Strasburg needed just 90 pitches to complete the six innings, and he probably would have gone deeper into the game had this not been just his second start back from the disabled list. He now has 15 strikeouts against just two walks in 12 innings since his return and looks to be back into top form as the Nationals hit the stretch run.

Martinez (10-9) struck out six and allowed two runs (one earned) and two walks over seven innings in a no-decision against the Padres on Thursday.

Martinez's three-game win streak came to an end Thursday, but he was still effective as usual. He went seven innings for the third time in his last four outings and threw 69 of his 101 pitches for strikes. Martinez turned it over to the pen with the game tied at two, but the Cardinals' bullpen woes cost them the game as they allowed two runs in the ninth. Martinez is lined up to face Chase Anderson and the Brewers on Wednesday in an NL Central matchup.

Ryu (5-6) gave up one run on four hits and two walks while striking out two over six innings in a winning effort against the Pirates on Thursday.

The two strikeouts tied his season low, but Ryu was able to keep the ball on the ground and avoid any real trouble outside of the second inning. He allowed just three baserunners over his final four frames, with one reaching on an infield single. Ryu has now allowed three runs or fewer in nine consecutive appearances, bringing his ERA down to 3.34 and WHIP down to 1.29. Next up: a road start against Arizona.

Marquez gave up two runs on eight hits and two walks while striking out two over six innings in a no-decision against the Royals on Thursday.

It goes down as a quality start, but Marquez was pretty fortunate in this one. The bases were clear for both long balls he surrendered, and the defense helped him out with two double plays. He hasn't been as lucky at home (4.50 ERA), and four of Marquez's seven remaining starts come in Denver, barring any significant changes to the rotation order. Among the three remaining road starts are matchups with the Dodgers and Diamondbacks.

Worley allowed eight runs on nine hits and two walks while striking out three batters across four innings Thursday against the Phillies. He didn't factor into the decision.

Worley was pummeled Thursday, but a late surge from the Marlins' offense got him off the hook for the loss. He now owns an unimpressive 5.04 ERA and 14:11 K:BB through six starts for the Marlins since rejoining the rotation at the end of July. Things won't get any easier for Worley as his next scheduled start comes against the Nationals on Wednesday.

Thompson was sent down to Triple-A Lehigh Valley following Thursday's spot start.

Thompson allowed five earned runs off seven hits and four walks while striking out four over five innings during Thursday's no-decision. He gave up a pair of solo home runs and was in trouble for the entire afternoon, giving up runs in four of his five frames. This was Thompson's first big-league start since July 28 and only his second all year. Although he's headed back to Lehigh Valley for the time being, Thompson is a solid candidate to return to the Phillies once the rosters expand next week.

Ray (10-5) allowed one run on two hits and two walks while striking out nine across five innings to earn the win against the Mets on Thursday.

Ray, who has been sidelined since July 28 with a concussion, looked sharp in his first game back from the DL, and he probably could have pitched further into the game if the Diamondbacks weren't monitoring his pitch count. Despite missing nearly a month, the All-Star picked up right where he left off before the injury, and he's now sporting a 3.06 ERA and 160:60 K:BB over 123.2 innings this season. He shouldn't be facing any restrictions in his next start Wednesday against the Dodgers, so Ray should be deployed in all formats, even with the difficult matchup.

Kershaw (back) threw off flat ground again Thursday and is ready to go for a rehab start with Triple-A Oklahoma City on Saturday, Bill Plunkett of the Orange County Register reports.

Although it was determined that Kershaw would head out on a rehab start prior to Thursday's session, it remains a positive sign that he was able to throw again ahead of his first outing since July 23. The left-hander is set to throw four innings or 60 pitches during his appearance with Oklahoma City, and could return to the big-league club for a start against the Padres if all goes according to plan this weekend.

Despaigne will start Saturday's game against the Padres, Tim Healey of the South Florida Sun Sentinel reports.

This will be the second start of the season for Despaigne, who previously went 4.2 innings against the Mets in early May. During that start, the right-hander allowed eight runs -- only three earned -- off five hits and four walks while striking out four. Over the course of the season, Despaigne has accumulated a 4.42 ERA and 1.53 WHIP in 18.1 innings. The 30-year-old was last deployed out of the bullpen Wednesday, going 2.2 scoreless innings with a pair of punchouts against Philadelphia.