MLB Player News

Hammel (leg) improved his record to 7-1 by surrendering only one hit, two earned runs and two walks over seven innings in Saturday's 5-3 victory over the D-backs. He struck out six and also helped his own cause with a two-run single.

He showed no ill effects from the leg cramps that affected him in his last start, as Hammel was able to throw 62 of his 96 pitches for strikes, whle also inducing 12 swings-and-misses. The 33-year-old actually turned in his best performance of the season, as the one hit allowed was a season low. His one mistake, a two-run homer to Jake Lamb in the first inning, was the first he'd given up in the last three starts, and only the fifth overall on the season. He'll look to continue his stellar campaign next Friday versus the Braves.

Strasburg emerged from Saturday's start with a calf strain, Dan Kolko of MASN reports.

Strasburg struck out 10 batters in Saturday's start against the Reds, but he also allowed three earned runs and was pulled after just 5.1 innings. Manager Dusty Baker did not seem concerned about his status and mentioned that Strasburg has overcome the injury before, so there is reason to believe the setback will not cost him any starts.

Urias had been announced as the starting pitcher for Tuesday's game against the Rockies, MLB.com's Ken Gurnick reports.

It was not clear if Urias would remain with the big club following his second rough major league start Thursday, but Saturday's announcement confirms he will remain in the Dodgers' rotation at least the next time through.

Freeland, 23, has a 3.42 ERA and 41:17 K:BB through 68.1 innings for Double-A Hartford.

Opposing batters are hitting .235 against Freeland, who has been inducing a bevy of groundballs this season. However, his strikeout numbers have been down, a curious development for a player drafted in the first round in 2014. His fantasy value takes a big hit if he can't get his strikeout rate up.

Scahill was optioned to Triple-A Indianapolis on Saturday, Stephen J. Nesbitt of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette reports.

The Pirates made some changes to the bullpen Saturday by optioning Scahill and Wilfredo Boscan while recalling Cory Luebke and Curtis Partch. Scahill made four appearances during his most recent stint with the Pirates, pitching 5.1 scoreless innings while allowing just five total baserunners. He'll head back to Triple-A for now, but his strong run with the Pirates over the past couple of weeks could earn him a recall later in the season.

Hammel (leg) remains listed as the Cubs' starting pitcher for Saturday's game against Arizona.

Hammel departed his last outing Monday with cramps in his leg, but all along the belief has been that he'll be ready to start Saturday. After throwing a side session earlier in the week, that's still the case, and Hammel is not expected to be limited as he takes on a Diamondbacks team that's dropped four of its last five games.

Asher will be sidelined for a month with a shin fracture, Matt Breen of the Philadelphia Inquirer reports.

Asher left his last start for Triple-A Lehigh Valley after being hit in the leg by a grounderl. The initial diagnosis was a contusion, but further examination revealed a fracture.

Velasquez allowed two runs on four hits over 4.1 innings Friday. He struck out six and walked three.

Manager Pete Mackanin pulled Velasquez with the bases loaded and one out in the fifth inning as the right-hander had already thrown 94 pitches at that point. He is averaging 16.7 pitches per inning this season, which is higher than the league average. He has failed to complete five innings in each of his last three starts.

Eickhoff (ankle) was able to walk normally and do his usual day-after-start running routine on Friday, Corey Seidman of CSN Philadelphia reports.

Eickhoff was hit on the left ankle by a line drive in his last start. He is on track to make his next scheduled start Tuesday against the Cubs.

Syndergaard (6-2) mowed down nine Marlins en route to a 6-2 Mets victory Friday. He surrendered six hits, two earned runs and a walk over seven innings.

The 23-year-old came back strong after being ejected for throwing behind Chase Utley in his last start, inducing an outstanding 19 swinging strikes over his 106 pitches. He was even impressive when giving up runs, as the homer he yielded to Marcell Ozuna notably came on a 100 mph fastball. It was another in a long line of dominating performances for Syndergaard, who's notched 30 strikeouts over his last three full starts, all which have gone seven frames. He's now whiffed 90 batters over 70.2 innings, and Friday's lone walk represented the first free pass he'd issued over the last four trips to the mound. He'll next face off with the Pirates and Francisco Liriano on Wednesday night.