MLB Player News

Nicolino (2-4) allowed five runs on 10 hits over 4.2 innings in a 6-3 loss to the Padres on Wednesday. He also struck out three and walked none.

A lot of run support in his last outing helped Nicolino record a no-decision, but over his last two starts, he has allowed 10 runs and 22 hits in just 10.1 innings. Going back another start, Nicolino has tossed up 31 hits in 15.2 innings this month. He will look to bounce back from these struggles in his next start Monday versus Colorado.

Strasburg (10-0) picked up his fourth no-decision of the season in Wednesday's game against the Cubs. He pitched seven innings, allowing one run on six hits while walking one and striking out eight.

His peripherals are elite across the board, and Strasburg is everything a number-one pick is supposed to be from a talent standpoint. The question has always been whether or not he can stay healthy. When injuries have occurred in previous seasons for Strasburg, it's about this time of year when they start to pop up with the 6-foot-4 right-hander. Over the past three seasons, Strasburg has started just 23 games combined in June and July. That is the lowest total amount of starts for any back-to-back months over that span for him.

Hammel (7-2) pitched seven innings, allowing one run on five hits while walking four in a no-decision against the Nationals on Wednesday. He did not factor in the decision.

The 11th-year veteran continued his widely unforeseen career year with his eighth quality start of the season. He's allowed more no more than three earned runs in all but one of his outings this season. And, although he has shown the ability to be an above-average pitcher in years past, Hammel has never been a potential 20-game winner like he is right now. The 6-foot-6 righty is on pace to challenge most of his career-best numbers across the board.

Cueto (10-1) allowed just one run on seven hits while walking one and striking out nine in Wednesday's win against the Brewers.

Cueto became the NL's third 10-game winner while extending his winning streak to seven straight decisions. He lowered his ERA to 2.10 - the best it has been since making his season debut against the Brewers on April 5. The average velocity on his fastball is down to below 92 mph for the first time in his career, but the 30-year-old has shown some veteran savviness by relying on the pitch's location rather than its speed. His walk rate is at a career low and Cueto is inducing groundballs at a career-high rate. After a one-year hiatus, Cueto is one of the best pitchers in MLB on again.

Manager Dave Roberts announced that he is optimistic that Maeda (leg) will be able to make his next scheduled start, Ken Gurnick of MLB.com reports.

Maeda has reportedly improved dramatically overnight and is walking without a limp in the Dodgers' clubhouse Wednesday, less than one day removed from taking a line drive off his right leg during his start against Arizona. His next scheduled start will be Sunday against Milwaukee, so he figures to continue receiving treatment over the next few days before the Dodgers make an official decision on his status over the weekend.

Velasquez (biceps) played catch Tuesday, Matt Gelb of the Philadelphia Inquirer reports.

Velasquez said he threw at 70 percent effort. He will play catch again Wednesday and could throw a bullpen session later this week. It is a good sign that he is throwing again so soon after getting pulled from his last start with a biceps strain.

Maeda suffered a right lower leg contusion during Tuesday's game, as X-rays were negative, SB Nation's Eric Stephen reports.

This doesn't necessarily mean he has dodged a significant injury, as teammate Andre Ethier's X-rays were initially negative on his right shin earlier this spring, before it was then deemed to be a fracture. Maeda needed to be helped off the field Tuesday after a 95 mph liner off the bat of Paul Goldschmidt hit him just below the right knee. The Dodgers will likely update his status several times in advance of Sunday's scheduled start against the Brewers.

Teheran (2-7) allowed three runs on three hits and a walk and struck out eight in Tuesday's loss to the Reds.

Teheran had the Reds number for most of the night, as he induced 19 swinging strikes in 104 pitches, but Jay Bruce touched him up for a three-run home run in the first inning that put the game out of reach for Atlanta's putrid lineup. He still owns a crisp 2.93 ERA, but unfortunately, he can't rely on support from his team, and the result is a brutal record reminiscent of Shelby Miller's inability to pick up wins in a career year for a similarly awful Braves squad in 2015.

Finnegan (3-4) allowed just one run on four hits and three walks with five strikeouts over six innings in a win over Atlanta.

Finnegan has quality starts in all three of his June outings as he has lowered his ERA from 4.14 to 3.61 since the month began. The big key for Finnegan has been keeping the ball in the yard -- he allowed eight home runs in his first seven starts but has surrendered just two since. His control is too shaky for him to be a top-line pitcher as of yet -- he has walked three batters or more nine times in 14 starts -- but he has found a groove of late and has become one of the few bright spots in Cincinnati this season.

Maeda left Tuesday's game against Arizona in the sixth inning after taking a line drive off his right leg, just below the knee, the Los Angeles Times' Andy McCullough reports.

He needed a lot of help getting off the field after being struck by a 95 mph liner off the bat of Paul Goldschmidt. It may be a small consolation if this turns out to be a significant injury, but Maeda was in line for the win when he left Tuesday. He allowed three runs (two earned) on six hits and a walk while striking out six in 5.1 innings. His status will be updated when the team releases the exact nature of the injury.