MLB Player News

Martinez (7-6) allowed three runs on nine hits, struck out seven and walked one over seven innings in a loss to the Pirates on Monday.

At one point, Martinez retired eight straight batters, and seven strikeouts were his most since June 5. St. Louis handed Martinez a one-run lead in the fifth, but he immediately gave it back to Pittsburgh when Gregory Polanco hit a two-run homer the following half inning. Martinez gave up another run on a two-out single the next frame. He is 7-6 with a 2.90 ERA, 1.13 WHIP and 80 strikeouts in 102.1 innings this season.

Wood (elbow) has begun throwing off a mound, Bill Plunkett of the Orange County Register reports.

Left elbow soreness has kept Wood sidelined since May 31. He's about two weeks behind schedule, but he remains on pace to return in early August. Wood, who owns a 3.99 ERA in 10 starts this season, isn't eligible to return from the 60-day disabled list until July 31.

Ryu (shoulder) has finished his rehab and will start Thursday for the Dodgers, Ken Gurnick of MLB.com reports.

Don't expect Ryu to last too deep in the game yet, as he never threw more than 84 pitches in any of his eight rehab appearances. Ryu owns a 28-15 record with a 3.17 ERA and a 7.7 K/9 for his career, though, so expect productive innings out of him, especially with a favorable matchup at home against the Padres.

Cole (triceps) will start a rehab assignment Tuesday with Triple-A Indianapolis, Bill Brink of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette reports.

After tossing a simulated game Friday, Cole was expected to begin the assignment in short order. Assuming no setbacks in the next week or so, expect him to return to the Pirates' rotation shortly after the All-Star break.

Velasquez picked up his seventh win of the season in Sunday's 7-2 win over the Royals. He allowed two runs on five hits over six innings with seven strikeouts and two walks.

Velasquez gave the Phillies a scare in the first inning as he failed to top 90 mph with his fastball. He was visited on the mound by the coaching staff and assured them he was just slow to warm up. Once Velasquez got loose he was hitting the mid-90s with his fastball and sitting 91-to-93 mph for most of his start. He has allowed just two runs and has a 14:2 K:BB over 11 innings since returning from the disabled list.

Strasburg (11-0) didn't seem hampered by his back injury at all Sunday, no-hitting the Reds through 6.2 innings while walking four and striking out five.

Despite the fact that he was flirting with history, manager Dusty Baker smartly gave Strasburg the hook after 109 pitches. Matt Belisle then served up Cincinnati's first hit and first run of the game in the eighth inning to end the potential combined no-hitter or shutout. Strasburg now has a 2.71 ERA and outstanding 123:28 K:BB in 99.2 innings on the season, and he'll take his perfect record into Citi Field on Friday to face Noah Syndergaard and the Mets.

Anderson (4-9) allowed three runs on four hits and five walks while striking out two over 4.1 innings to take the loss Sunday at the Cardinals.

Anderson was extremely wild, walking more than a hitter per inning, and was fortunate to hold the Cards to only three runs. He's now allowed 19 earned runs in his last 15.2 innings over four starts to move his ERA to 5.49 on the year. He'll make his next start Saturday against the Cardinals.

Wacha (5-7) allowed two runs on nine hits and one walk while striking out six over five innings to earn the win Sunday against the Brewers.

Wacha was touched up for a pair of runs in the fourth inning while the offense gave him enough support to help him win his fifth game of the year. He's now held opponents to three or fewer earned runs in each of his last five starts to lower his ERA to 4.38. He'll make his next start Friday at the Brewers.

Ray (4-7) allowed four runs on eight hits and two walks while striking out eight over six innings, but received no decision Sunday against the Giants.

Ray gave up a pair of runs in both the third and fourth innings, but the offense scored a pair of runs after his departure to take him off the hook for a potential loss. He's now allowed four runs in each of his last three starts to raise his ERA to 4.78 on the year. He'll make his next start Saturday at the Giants.

Kershaw's (back) recovery is expected to last at least one month, Mike DiGiovanna of the Los Angeles Times reports.

Diagnosed with a mild disc herniation Thursday, Kershaw will avoid surgery, but an extended recovery effort is in the offing. After receiving an epidural Wednesday, he's embarked upon a five-step rehab process. A timetable, though, has yet to be established, leaving Bud Norris to assume Kershaw's place in the rotation in the meantime. Norris could yield that spot when Hyun-Jin Ryu (shoulder) is cleared to return to the Dodgers' rotation.