MLB Player News

Manager Dusty Baker said the team has not made a decision regarding Sunday's starter against the Reds, Jamal Collier of MLB.com reports. The Nationals want to wait and see how Strasburg (back) feels when he gets to the park.

Strasburg made his case for a Sunday return with a bullpen session Thursday, his second in three days. Lucas Giolito also threw on the side Thursday and would be the logical alternative if Strasburg does not get the green light upon arrival to Nationals Park on Sunday morning. An MRI earlier in the week confirmed that Strasburg is dealing with an upper-back strain.

Lugo was optioned to Triple-A Las Vegas on Saturday.

Lugo's first stint in the majors lasted only two days as he will head back to Las Vegas with Juan Lagares coming off the DL. Lugo tossed two scoreless innings Friday against the Cubs in his major league debut. The 26-year-old will now look to turn his season around in Las Vegas, as he's collected a 6.55 ERA and 1.69 WHIP over 68.2 innings with the Mets' minor league affiliate.

Cueto picked up his 12th win of the season Friday, surrendering four runs on seven hits over seven innings while striking out nine Diamondbacks.

Cueto had a rough first inning, but he settled down and looked like his usual dominant self the rest of the way. It's tough to criticize a pitcher with a 12-1 record and 2.57 ERA, but he is currently in his biggest "slump" of the season, failing to record a quality start in back-to-back outings for the first time in 2016. It is also worth noting that Cueto has historically been a better first-half pitcher (2.95 ERA) compared to his results post-All-Star Game (3.73 ERA). That being said, he is posting career-best marks in BB/9 (1.69), HR/9 (0.44) and FIP (2.76), so there are absolutely no signs of regression on the horizon.

DeGrom (4-4) gave up three hits, an earned run and a walk over five innings in Friday's 10-2 victory over the Cubs. He struck out seven.

The 28-year-old ace only surrendered a solo homer to Kris Bryant in terms of runs, and left after only 85 pitches due to the game being mired in a third rain delay for an extended period of time. DeGrom threw 52 of 85 pitches for strikes, and induced 11 swinging strikes overall. He managed to get back in the win column after dropping four straight decisions, and lowered his ERA for the second straight start. He'll try to continue on the right track when he takes on the Marlins next Wednesday.

Hammel (7-5) struck out three and gave up nine hits - five of which left the yard - 10 earned runs and two walks over four innings in a 10-2 loss to the Mets on Friday.

It was a nightmarish outing for the veteran righty, who gave up a pair of homers in two different innings and a 435-shot to rookie Brandon Nimmo in the fourth as well. James Loney and Asdrubal Cabrera took him deep in the second, while Yoenis Cespedes and Cabrera did the honors in the fifth. Hammel has seen his ERA rise in each of his last three starts, all losses. He's dropped four straight decisions overall, and his ERA is now at a season-high 3.45. The 33-year-old will try to reverse course when he takes the mound next Wednesday against the Reds.

Teheran (3-8) allowed five runs on 11 hits while striking out six over 6.2 innings, but received no decision Friday against the Marlins.

After allowing a two-run homer in the first inning, Teheran settled down until giving up three more runs in the seventh inning. However, the Braves were able to score a run in the ninth inning to take him off the hook for a potential loss. This was the first time he's allowed more than three runs in a start over his last 14 outings, and he now has a 2.72 ERA along with a 0.93 WHIP on the season. He'll make his next start Wednesday at the Phillies.

Nicolino (2-4) allowed four runs on seven hits and one walk while striking out one over five innings, but received no decision Friday at the Braves.

After being recalled from Triple-A New Orleans for this start, Nicolino was staked to a three-run lead in the first inning before giving up a pair of runs in both the second and fifth innings to fall behind before being removed after throwing 72 pitches. Fortunately, the offense picked him up after his exit to take him off the hook for a potential loss. He's now failed to post a win in any of his last nine outings, and his ERA is at 5.34 on the year. He'll make his next start Wednesday at the Mets.

DeSclafani received a no-decision Friday versus the Nationals despite striking out eight and surrendering six hits, two earned runs and two walks over 6.2 innings.

He pounded the strike zone throughout, notching 29 called strikes and 12 more of the swing-and-miss variety. DeSclafani has pitched exceedingly well in three of his four outings this season, notching quality starts in all of those games. Friday's strikeout total represented a season high, and he managed to maintain his ERA at a stellar 1.78. He'll try again for his third win against the Cubs on Wednesday.

Cole (triceps) threw a simulated game Friday and felt good, Adam Berry of MLB.com reports.

Cole threw a successful 35-pitch bullpen session Tuesday and advanced to a simulated game Friday. The flamethrower has been sidelined since early June with a triceps strain and if he can continue progressing with no setbacks, a rehab assignment should be right around the corner with a possible return to the majors after the All-Star Break.

Greinke (oblique) will not make his next scheduled start, Jack Magruder of Fanragsports.com reports.

Diamondbacks Chief Baseball Officer Tony La Russa had suggested Greinke would likely miss a turn, but the team made it official Friday, saying Greinke will not start either Monday or Tuesday. Archie Bradley will toe the rubber Monday while Zack Godley is the leading candidate to start Tuesday. Greinke did report improvement with the oblique issue Friday and the team is not in a rush to make a decision regarding a DL stint.