MLB Player News

Hill (blister) will not start Friday and is without a timetable to join the Dodgers' rotation, Bill Shaikin of the Los Angeles Times reports.

The frustration surrounding Hill's blister is reaching a fever pitch for all parties involved, as he has now been pushed back twice since joining the Dodgers, and more than that if we go back to his time with Oakland. Ross Stripling will start Friday's game in his stead and manager Dave Roberts admitted that he does not know when Hill will be ready to join the rotation. When healthy, Hill is one of the best starters in baseball, and given the seemingly short-term nature of his injury, his owners have no choice but to try to remain patient in most formats.

Finnegan allowed three runs on six hits and six walks with five strikeouts over six innings in a no-decision Tuesday against the Cardinals.

Finnegan extended his quality start streak to three games, but he was very shaky Tuesday night, as he served up a pair of home runs to go with his six walks. Luckily, both were of the solo variety, and his nine swinging strikes in 98 pitches kept the floodgates from bursting. Still, Finnegan's inconsistent control is alarming -- he has issued at least four walks in eight of his 23 starts this season, and it'll be hard for him to improve on his current 4.45 ERA without eliminating the free baserunners.

Maeda (11-7) allowed three runs on six hits with two walks and four strikeouts over five innings to beat the Phillies on Tuesday.

Maeda broke a streak of three straight starts with exactly two runs allowed and no walks, but still cruised to victory as the Dodgers offense devoured a Phillies starter for the second straight contest. The right-hander continues to struggle to pitch deep into games, having reached the seven-inning mark just twice in 23 starts. He'll once again be at home for his next outing, though the middling Pirates lineup he's slated to face Sunday represents a significant step up from this 29th-ranked Philadelphia offense.

Velasquez (8-4) was awful in Tuesday's loss at Dodger Stadium, surrendering nine runs on 11 hits and two walks with six strikeouts in just 4.2 innings of work.

Velasquez can take solace in a strong 6:2 K:BB ratio, but he was atrocious in every other phase of the game. The blister he developed in his previous start was likely still bothering the 24-year-old, as he gave up new career highs in runs and hits while allowing three home runs in under five innings after totaling that many homers in his previous nine appearances combined. Velasquez will get an immediate shot at redemption with a home rematch against these same Dodgers, scheduled for next Tuesday.

Greinke (11-3) went six strong innings Tuesday, allowing three runs on five hits and a walk while striking out six and earning the win over the Mets.

Greinke managed to get through six innings on just 93 pitches in his first MLB start back from the oblique injury that sidelined him for over a month. The sixth inning was the key one for Greinke, as he allowed a two-run homer to Mets' second baseman Neil Walker, but stayed in the game long enough for the Diamondbacks offense to score three runs in the top of the seventh to take a 5-3 lead and put Greinke in line for the win. Greinke was very solid before landing on the DL, at one point pitching 14 consecutive starts of six innings or more. He has a 3.67 ERA and 97 strikeouts over 18 starts on the season. Greinke will next take the hill in Boston on Sunday.

Cabrera tossed a perfect ninth inning to record his third save Tuesday against the Brewers.

Jim Johnson had pitched two games in a row, leaving this save opportunity for Cabrera. The 22-year-old has been sharp since coming up in late June, as he now owns a 2.91 ERA supported by a 20:6 K:BB in 21.2 innings. Johnson isn't in any risk of losing the closer's role in the short term, but Cabrera could very well be Atlanta's closer of the future if he keeps pitching like this.

Matz was solid Tuesday against the Arizona, striking out nine over six innings while allowing just two runs, five hits and a walk. He earned a no-decision after his bullpen blew a 3-2 lead.

Matz bounced back from a rough outing last Wednesday in which he allowed six earned runs against the rival Yankees. The nine strikeouts Tuesday tied a season-high and brought Matz's season total to 121 Ks over 125 innings pitched. Matz has had rough luck of late, going 1-5 in his last six starts entering Tuesday despite throwing quality starts in four of them. His ERA is now 3.60.

Wacha (shoulder) could potentially miss the rest of the 2016 season with right shoulder inflammation, which is a related injury to his shoulder from two years ago, Jenifer Langosch of MLB.com reports.

Wacha was placed on the disabled list Tuesday after allowing four runs on six hits and four walks over five innings against the Reds on Monday. As of now, the Cardinals are unsure about his status for the rest of the season. With a decrease in velocity and his struggles in the last few starts, he could wind up getting shut down for the rest of the season if it appears that the shoulder will not be able to handle a comeback before the end of this year.

Eflin (knee) is unsure he will be able to return this season, Matt Gelb of the Philly Inquirer reports.

Eflin will have his knee examined in the coming days, but a return in the near future seems very unlikely. Eflin has struggled mightily during his rookie season, as his ERA and HR/9 have inflated to marks of 5.54 and 1.7, respectively.

Hill (hand) threw on flat ground Tuesday and plans to start Friday, Jon Weisman of Dodgers Insider reports.

Hill was expected to throw a bullpen session Tuesday, but decided to be careful and play catch on flat ground. The club still intends for the 37-year-old southpaw to make his Dodgers debut Friday against the Pirates. If Hill does in fact start, it will be his first outing since July 17.