MLB Player News

Wacha (2-7) got the short end of the stick in Friday's pitcher's duel against Rangers starter Cole Hamels. He tossed 7.2 innings, allowing one run on six hits while walking two and striking out seven in a 1-0 loss.

Wacha was dealing Friday, and he resembled the pitcher most thought he was before his horrendous start began creeping doubts into the minds of his owners. At one point, he followed up a 98-mph fastball with an 84-mph changeup -- a ridiculous velocity change that illustrates the nastiness that Wacha has in his arsenal. The right-hander has struggled with his control this year (3.4 BB/9), and more specifically, he's really struggled to make his robust fastball effective. According to FanGraphs, Wacha's fastball has only induced a swinging strike a career-worst 4.7 percent of the time. Entering Friday the pitch value (pVAL) of his fastball was at -4.9, which is outlandishly off its 7.0 rating last season. However, he has put together three quality starts in his last four outings and seems to be headed in the right direction after his miserable start to 2016.

Gray (4-3) allowed two runs on six hits and two walks while striking out four over six innings to take the loss Friday at the Marlins.

Gray had a one-run lead, but gave up his only runs of the game on a two-run homer in the bottom of the sixth to Christian Yelich to saddle him with the loss. He's now held opponents to two or fewer earned runs in each of his last five starts to lower his ERA to 4.55. He'll make his next start Wednesday at the Yankees.

Maeda (leg) will make his next scheduled start on Sunday, Zach Helfand of the LA Times reports.

There had been some uncertainty as to whether Maeda would miss time due to a leg contusion he suffered against Arizona on Tuesday but it is now confirmed that he will make his next scheduled start. The 28-year-old is continuing to look like the ace many thought he would be when he transferred to the MLB from the Japanese Baseball League as he's posted a 1.54 ERA and 1.07 WHIP over his last four starts.

Mejia was promoted to Triple-A Sacramento on Friday.

Mejia, who turns 23 on Monday, has been fabulous at Double-A, posting a 1.94 ERA and 58:16 K:BB in 65 innings. He is not only one of the Giants' top prospects, but he is one of the closest to the big leagues, in terms of potentially impactful talent. It's not clear how many innings the Giants have in mind for Mejia in 2016, as he only threw 82.1 frames last year between Double-A and the Arizona Fall League, but he could be an option at the big league level if he hits the ground running at Triple-A.

Velasquez (biceps) is scheduled to throw a bullpen Saturday and Sunday and could go on a rehab assignment soon, Meghan Montemurro of The News Journal reports.

Velasquez was placed on the 15-day DL a week ago due to a right biceps strain that he suffered on June 8 against the Cubs. He left that game after two pitches, but has played catch earlier this week and seems to be progressing without any setbacks at this point. Velasquez is eligible to return on June 24 but will probably return toward the end of the month since the team does not want to rush him back.

Thompson allowed one run on five hits over eight innings Thursday for Triple-A Lehigh Valley. He struck out four and walked two.

Thompson seems to have found his groove of late. He has allowed just one run over his last three starts with a 12:5 K:BB in 21 innings. Thompson is likely next in line for an opportunity with the Phillies when a spot in their rotation opens up. He does not have big-time upside, but should be a solid mid-rotation starter in time if he continues to develop.

Nola (5-6) was beaten up for eight runs (six earned) in just three-plus innings by the visiting Blue Jays on Thursday. He allowed eight hits -- two of them homers -- and three walks while striking out five.

He gave up four runs in the first three innings, but it was a fourth-inning rally that really undid Nola. He's now given up 10 runs over only 6.2 innings spanning his last two starts, a stretch that's inflated his ERA by nearly a full point from its previously lofty status. Still, this can be written off to a pair of tough matchups in a row against the Nats and Jays; an easier draw is on tap for Nola against the Twins on Tuesday.

Wood (elbow) will begin a throwing program next week, JP Hoonstra of the Los Angeles Daily News reports.

Wood was initially expected to be shut down for four weeks after landing on the 15-day disabled list at the end of May with a posterior impingement in his throwing elbow, but the 25-year-old lefty may be slightly ahead of schedule. According to Hoonstra, Wood had fluid drained from his elbow and received a cortisone shot, which has significantly reduced the inflammation in his elbow. The Dodgers' throwing program for Wood will last a maximum of three weeks, and the hope is that he'll be ready to return to game action by mid-July.

Nicasio gave up six runs in 4.1 innings Thursday, surrendering seven hits -- including three homers -- and two walks while striking out five batters.

Left-handed hitters entered Thursday with an .886 OPS off Nicasio, who limited to New York to one run in five innings June 7. With his 5.83 ERA, there's little reason to consider starting the righty until he strings together a couple of solid outings. The Pirates may well remove him from the rotation soon in order to promote top prospect Tyler Glasnow.

Manager Dave Roberts has committed to two more starts for Urias before the Dodgers begin to limit his innings, Ken Gurnick of MLB.com reports.

The young lefty has made four starts thus far for the Dodgers and he is set to take at least two more turns in the rotation, but Los Angeles has several veterans nearing returns from injury and the organization is also being mindful about managing Urias' innings. Urias will start Friday against the Brewers and his next turn in the rotation will likely be Wednesday against the Nationals. After that start against the Nationals, the Dodgers figure to release a more concrete plan regarding Urias. Regardless, Urias' time as a regular starter with the Dodgers may be nearing an end for the time being in an effort to conserve his arm.