MLB Player News

Cueto (14-4) gave up only one run on four hits over six innings while striking out six, but suffered a 1-0 road loss to the Dodgers on Wednesday.

A solo homer by Justin Turner in the fourth inning turned out to be the only run of the game, leaving Cueto on the short end despite his third consecutive quality start. On the whole, however, he's been well short of elite since the All-Star break, pitching to a 1-3 record, 3.93 ERA and 1.31 WHIP over eight starts. Cueto will try to continue turning the tide when he next starts Tuesday against Arizona; he's beaten the Diamondbacks twice in three tries already this year.

Hill (10-3) had a terrific Dodgers debut Wednesday, holding the Giants scoreless on five hits over six innings in a 1-0 win. He struck out three and didn't issue a walk while throwing only 81 pitches.

Manager Dave Roberts clearly wanted to be cautious with the freshly returned veteran lefty, who missed a stunning amount of time with a hand blister, going more than a month between starts. Hill was traded to Los Angeles back at the deadline after sparkling when healthy in the Oakland rotation (2.25 ERA, 1.09 WHIP, 90 strikeouts in 76 innings), and with the Dodgers' rotation so banged up, the 36-year-old will be relied upon heavily over the season's final month-plus -- provided he can stay out there.

Martinez (12-7) held the Mets to just four hits and one run over eight innings in Wednesday's 8-1 win. He struck out five and walked three.

The pitchers' duel between Martinez and Jacob deGrom failed to materialize, as deGrom struggled through 4.2 frames, giving the Dominican righty an early lead to work with. After giving up a run on a second-inning RBI double, the flamethrowing 24-year-old was barely touched for his six remaining frames, ultimately throwing only 97 pitches. He's done a better job limiting baserunners this year, having dropped his WHIP from last season's 1.29 to its current 1.18 mark, but his K/9 has plunged to a career-low 7.33, almost two full points lower than it was last year. That makes the present-day version of Martinez a reliable fantasy starter rather than an exciting one, although his long-term ceiling remains quite high.

DeGrom (7-7) was ripped for five runs on a dozen hits -- including three homers -- and two walks over 4.2 innings in Wednesday's loss to the Cardinals.

The third-year hurler has been one of the best in baseball as usual this year -- up until his last two starts, that is. In a span of just 9.2 innings against the Giants and Cards, deGrom has allowed 13 runs on an astounding 25 hits, ballooning his ERA and WHIP away from elite status. Unlike other pitchers who have struggled recently, deGrom doesn't seem to be hiding an injury; he's just been throwing balls straight down the pipe lately. The Mets may look to push his next start back a day or skip his turn in the rotation once just to get him a bit of extra rest to get his location right again, so his fantasy owners should look out for news on that front. For now, he's scheduled to start Monday against Miami.

Cole (7-9) allowed five runs on seven hits, struck out four and walked one in a loss to the Astros on Wednesday.

The right-hander just hasn't been himself lately, as he's lost three straight decisions. Over his last 16 innings, Cole has allowed 14 runs (13 earned) on 31 hits. Prior to Wednesday, he actually yielded 12 hits in two straight appearances. His triceps injury obviously hurt, but Cole hasn't really been right all year. Lefties are hitting .320 against him, and his swinging-strike rate is down nearly 2.0 percent from last year, resulting in fewer strikeouts. Cole will try to get right in his next appearance Monday against the Cubs.

Clemens (2-3) pitched 5.1 innings, allowing five runs (four earned) on seven hits while striking out six Cubs in Wednesday's loss.

Clemens five runs allowed Wednesday were the most he's given up in an outing this year. That was offset somewhat by a season-best six strikeouts and no walks, but ultimately the 28-year-old wasn't much of a match for the Cubs talented lineup. Since debuting with the Padres on July 4, Clemens is 1-3 with a 6.47 ERA. Needless to say, the righty is best left on the wire under a majority of formats.

Hendricks (12-7) pitched six innings, allowing two runs, four hits and two walks while striking out eight in Wednesday's win over the Padres.

Hendricks has now allowed three runs or fewer in 17 consecutive starts, the longest such streak in the majors this season. Wednesday's win was his third in a row and extended his career-high victory total to 12. The 26-year-old has been phenomenal this season, owning MLB's best ERA at 2.19 through 24 starts and 152 innings. Hendricks finished August with 32 strikeouts over 35.1 innings to go along with his second career complete-game shutout. He'll look to keep things rolling Tuesday in his next start versus the Pirates -- a team he held to one run over six innings in a victory on June 19.

Hill (blister) was activated from the DL and is starting Wednesday against the Giants.

Hill last pitched July 17 and has since been dealing with a lingering blister. The 36-year-old has a phenomenal 2.25 ERA and 1.09 WHIP for the year and is finally set to make his Dodgers debut, and the timing couldn't be better, as Los Angeles is fighting with the Giants for first place in the NL West.

Stripling will start Thursday against the Giants, Andy McCullough of the Los Angeles Times reports.

Stripling was recalled prior to Tuesday's game and manager Dave Roberts confirmed after the game that Stripling will toe the rubber Thursday in place of Brett Anderson (blister). The 26-year-old famously tossed 7.1 innings of no-hit ball against the Giants in his major league debut, but he has endured some struggles at home (4.76 ERA) and hasn't struck out more than six batters in a start at any level this year.

Glasnow (shoulder) is scheduled to throw a bullpen session Wednesday, Adam Berry of MLB.com reports.

Glasnow tossed three scoreless innings at Double-A Altoona on Monday, saying afterward that his shoulder and arm felt fine. If all goes well with Wednesday's session, Glasnow is expected to progress to making another rehab start at Triple-A Indianapolis.