MLB Player News

Strasburg (hip) will start the Nationals' fourth game after the All-Star break, July 17 in Cincinnati, Mark Zuckerman of MASNsports.com reports.

He will toe the rubber in the finale of the four-game set, following Gio Gonzalez, Max Scherzer and Tanner Roark (in that order). Strasburg was hit in the hip by a comebacker in his final start of the first half and did not make an appearance in the All-Star Game, but the right-hander was in line to pitch had the game extended into the 12th inning, according to Jamal Collier of MLB.com. Thus it seems the hip is fine and the Nats just want to get Strasburg an extended rest after he threw 112.2 frames prior to the break (147.2 total in 2016).

Solis was optioned to Triple-A Syracuse on Thursday, Mark Zuckerman of MASNsports.com reports.

The left-hander occupied an important spot of late in the Nats' bullpen by default, considering how injury-prone and weak it has been. Solis looked out of place, considering his 14.73 ERA in 7.1 innings. The 28-year-old will now wait at Triple-A for his next ride on the shuttle. In the meantime, the Nats will make a corresponding move before Friday's second-half opener.

The Cubs acquired Quintana from the White Sox on Thursday for outfielder Eloy Jimenez, pitcher Dylan Cease and infielders Matt Rose and Bryant Flete.

We have our first big blockbuster of trade season, with the pitching-needy Cubs landing one of the most coveted arms from one of the league's most obvious sellers -- one who's locked under team control through the 2020 season. Quintana has scuffled with a 4.49 ERA with only four wins, but has struck out 109 and walked 40 in 104.1 innings. Wrigley Field often plays as pitcher-friendly as Guaranteed Rate Field -- if not more so -- and joining a club capable of lethal run support should bolster what he gets in return for his frequent quality starts. Avoiding a constant stream of designated hitters also helps his value. NL-only fantasy players should spend upwards of the entire free-agent budget they've stashed to acquire the difference maker, and his owners should expect a brighter future.

Martinez racked up four strikeouts over two scoreless innings in the National League's 2-1 loss to the American League in Tuesday's All-Star Game, allowing a hit and a walk.

Martinez was the only National League hurler that manager Joe Maddon opted to deploy for multiple innings and he proved more than up to the task. The hard-throwing right-hander was especially dominant in the fourth inning, a frame in which he disposed of George Springer, Carlos Correa and Corey Dickerson on swinging strikes. Martinez had his ups and downs in the first half, generating a 6-8 record, 3.40 ERA and 1.16 WHIP while posting an impressive 128:45 K:BB in 116.1 innings across 18 starts. He remains on pace to set a new personal best in strikeouts, but he's also just two home runs away from eclipsing the career-high 15 he surrendered last season.

Lauer has allowed only two runs over his first 12.2 innings out of the starting rotation for Double-A San Antonio.

Lauer opened the season with High-A Lake Elsinore but was promoted to Double-A San Antonio on June 28 after stifling his High-A competition to the tune of a 2.79 ERA and 29.6 percent strikeout rate over 67.2 innings. The southpaw is displaying similar prowess in the higher minor-league level, as he currently holds a 1.42 ERA and 13:2 K:BB ratio over his first two starts with San Antonio.

Sanchez, 18, has a 3.04 ERA and 50:5 K:BB through 50.1 innings for Low-A Lakewood.

Sanchez missed about a month with a minor neck ailment, but has made a successful return to the mound. He has allowed two earned runs or fewer in each of his five starts since returning from the disabled list. Opposing batters are hitting just .205 overall this season against Sanchez, who pounds the strike zone while still showing swing-and-miss ability. He is one of the biggest risers in the prospect rankings.

Quantrill will head to Double-A San Antonio on Tuesday, Sam Dykstra of MiLB.com reports.

Quantrill had been pitching well for Lake Elsinore during his first year at the High-A level. In 14 starts, Quantrill accumulated a 3.67 ERA with a 1.39 WHIP. His 76:24 K:BB over the course of 73.2 innings is promising for the 21-year-old, especially since he underwent Tommy John surgery in 2015. The right-hander is one of the top pitching prospects in the Padres system, and could make his way to Triple-A by 2018 if he continues on his current progression.

Hendricks (hand) allowed one run on two hits and struck out a pair over 3.1 innings in his first rehab outing Monday for Double-A Tennessee.

Hendricks was sharp, but the Cubs will likely want him to stretch out a bit more before they bring him back to the majors. He is currently on pace to return shortly after the All-Star break. If Hendricks indeed makes another rehab appearance and remains on schedule, his most logical return date would be July 21 against St. Louis, but it will depend on how the Cubs' rotation lines up out of the break.

Syndergaard (lat) is set to resume throwing in less than two weeks and could possibly pitch in relief upon returning from the disabled list, Newsday reports.

Syndergaard's rotation status may depend on where the Mets are in the standings. If the team has made a run and needs him earlier, Syndergaard could pitch out of the bullpen, seeing more frequent duty. If New York is still languishing in the standings, Syndergaard will likely return as a starter if he is activated.

Lyles entered the All-Star break with a 6.34 ERA and 1.41 WHIP in 38.1 innings pitched this season.

The right-hander's performance hasn't warranted a spot on the big-league roster, but in all reality, it seems that the only reason he's sticking around is because he's out of minor-league options. He's only striking out roughly six batters per nine innings, and he's already allowed eight home runs on the campaign (twice as many as he served up last season). Lyles has little fantasy appeal while he's locked into his current middle-relief role.