MLB Player News

Thompson struck out two in a clean sixth inning in his season debut Friday against the Nationals.

Thompson was called up Friday to give the Phillies' bullpen some additional depth after the team's relievers averaged 4.5 innings per game during their most recent road trip. His current stay in the majors is unlikely to be lengthy as the Phillies want to keep him in a starting role, but they are without an opening in their rotation at the moment.

Lynn (4-1) pitched six scoreless innings with just four hits and two walks allowed while striking out six batters during Friday's win over Atlanta.

Lynn has now won four consecutive starts with just two runs allowed and 22 strikeouts over 25 innings to improve to a 2.04 ERA, 1.08 WHIP and 7.9 K/9 for the season. His 4.12 FIP suggests he's probably currently overachieving, but his track record before Tommy John surgery shouldn't be overlooked, as he posted a 2.84 ERA over 64 starts during the 2014 and 2015 seasons. Lynn will look to make it five wins a row against the Marlins next week.

Strasburg (3-1) allowed no runs on five hits and four walks while striking out five over 5.2 innings to earn the win Friday against the Phillies.

Strasburg held the Phillies in check, but ran his pitch count up to 119 before being removed before completing six innings. This was the first time in six starts that he's held an opponent to fewer than two runs, but he's been a strong fantasy option, as his ERA sits at 2.66. He'll make his next start Wednesday against the Orioles.

Hill (finger) will make one final rehab start for High-A Rancho Cucamonga on Tuesday before rejoining the rotation, Bill Shaikin of the Los Angeles Times reports.

Hill managed just two outs before hitting his pitch count last time out Thursday, but he is on pace to return by next weekend's series in Colorado should everything go well Tuesday. Knowing Hill's history, though, that's far from a sure thing.

Kershaw will switch days with Brandon McCarthy and start Saturday against the Padres instead of Sunday, Bill Plunkett of the Orange County Register reports.

Kershaw last pitched Monday, so he'll still get a solid four days of rest before facing the Padres. The Dodgers rotation has been in flux for the last week or so due to multiple injuries, but the new order is finally starting to settle.

Despaigne was recalled from Triple-A New Orleans on Friday, Clark Spencer of the Miami Herald reports.

Nothing's official yet, but Despaigne will presumably start Saturday in place of Wei-Yin Chen, who hit on the DL with "tired arm." Despaigne was slated to start for New Orleans on Saturday. The 30-year-old right-hander owns a 3.06 ERA and 1.30 WHIP through four starts for New Orleans this year despite having more walks (13) than strikeouts (9).

Hendricks (2-1) allowed no runs on six hits and two walks while striking out five over 5.1 innings in a no-decision against the Yankees on Friday.

Hendricks stymied the Yankees, though he burned through 94 pitches, keeping him from getting through the sixth inning. After failing to notch a quality start in his first three outings of the year, he's rebounded by allowing just two runs over his last three starts to lower his ERA to 3.51, and although he may not post the amazing stats he did in 2016, he'll continue to be a solid fantasy option. He'll make his next start Wednesday against the Rockies.

Urena will start Sunday against the Mets, Clark Spencer of the Miami Herald reports.

With Edinson Volquez (thumb) on the DL, Urena will be afforded his first starting opportunity of the season. He has fared well in six relief appearances so far this year, allowing just four runs in 15.1 innings, but he struggled in a starting role last season. The right-hander threw a season-high 87 pitches on April 28.

Wainwright didn't factor into the decision in Thursday's 5-4 loss to the Brewers, but gave up four earned runs on 10 hits and three walks over five innings. He struck out four.

The veteran right-hander delivered a whopping 103 pitches despite lasting just five frames and surrendered plenty of hard contact. All four runs surrendered came courtesy of extra-base hits, with Keon Broxton touching up Wainwright for both a double and home run. The 35-year-old's control had been sharp his last two times out, as he'd issued just one free pass over the 11.1 innings encompassing that pair of starts. However, Thursday's 10 hits marked the third time in six trips to the mound that Wainwright hit double digits in that category, and the no-decision sapped the momentum of a modest two-start win streak. He'll look to right the ship in a Tuesday start on the road versus the Marlins.

The MRI results on Nola's lower back did not reveal any damage, meaning that he will now throw a bullpen session this weekend, Ryan Lawrence of PhillyVoice reports.

This has to be encouraging news for the Phillies, as Nola likely will now be able to return much earlier than the team may have originally feared. If his bullpen session goes well, he could be in line to be back on the mound by mid-May.