MLB Player News

Finnegan (1-4) lasted 6.1 innings Sunday, allowing four runs on six hits and four walks while striking out four in a 5-4 loss to the Brewers.

Just 58 of his 103 pitches found the strike zone, and Finnegan has now given up at least three runs in seven of his last eight starts. The Reds have nothing to lose by letting him work through his growing pains in the majors, however, so Finnegan is in no danger of losing his spot in the rotation. He'll have a tough matchup in his next start Friday, at home against the Nationals.

Nicasio appears to be the odd man out of the rotation, if and when the Pirates promote one of their pitching prospects following the Super 2 arbitration date.

The righty holds a 6.75 ERA in May and has been outpitched by Jon Niese and Jeff Locke, both of whom were thought to be on the rotation bubble at one time or another. Nicasio registered a 3.86 ERA in 2015 as a reliever and Pittsburgh could use additional bullpen help. His fastball, which averaged 95.1 mph out of the pen last year, has dropped to 93.3 mph.

Velasquez (5-2) allowed seven runs on nine hits, including two home runs, and two walks over just 4.2 innings in Sunday's loss to the Cubs. He struck out six.

That's now two starts in a row where Velasquez hasn't been able to complete five innings, and he's served up five homers over that span. His upside is still tremendous, but the 23-year-old will need to sharpen his command within the strike zone to add some consistency to his arsenal. He'll next take the hill Friday at home against the Brewers.

Strasburg (9-0) cruised through six innings in Sunday's win over the Cardinals, allowing just one run on six hits and two walks while striking out four.

By winning his ninth straight decision to begin the season, Strasburg broke Pedro Martinez's franchise record set back in 1997 when the Nationals were still the Expos. He also set a new club record with his 12th straight winning decision dating back to last September. His 2.69 ERA and 90:20 K:BB in 73.2 innings are pretty good, too. Strasburg will look to continue his winning ways Saturday in Cincinnati.

Wacha (2-6) took the loss against the Nationals on Sunday, allowing three runs on four hits and a walk over six innings while striking out six.

A three-run fourth inning proved to be his undoing, as Stephen Strasburg was being his usual stingy self for the Nats. The quality start was Wacha's first in five outings and did lower his ERA to 4.99, but he's now dropped six straight decisions as he closes out a brutal May. He'll try to turn things around when he takes on the Giants at home in his next start Saturday.

Syndergaard could be used out of the bullpen Tuesday, Adam Rubin of ESPN New York reports.

Syndergaard only tossed 2.1 innings during Saturday's scheduled start, as he was ejected after throwing a pitch behind the back of Chase Utley. Since he only threw 34 pitches in that outing, it makes sense to use him Tuesday, as that would be the day of a regular side session anyway. Regardless of how that contest plays out, look for Syndergaard to make his next scheduled start as planned Thursday against the White Sox.

Maeda says his hand feels better than expected and plans to make his scheduled start Thursday against the Cubs, MLB.com's Ken Gurnick reports.

Maeda was struck in the hand with a comebacker in Saturday's game, and the team sent the right-hander for precautionary X-rays. Those results came back negative, and the next step for Maeda will be his regular side session. A successful workout there would all but cement Maeda's status as Thursday's starter.

Ryu is dealing with some soreness following his most recent outing and has been taken off his current assignment, Buster Olney of ESPN reports.

Ryu's continues to work his way back from a shoulder issue that's kept him on the sideline since the beginning of the season. The 26-year-old southpaw will now back off "a bit" in his recovery, with an unclear timetable ahead. Expect further updates as he picks up his rehab again.

Bergman (oblique) threw off flat ground Sunday, Nick Groke of The Denver Post reports.

It's Bergman's first flat-ground activity since the Rockies placed him on the DL back on May 20, but there's still no timetable for the right-hander's return. Once he completes a couple of rehab outings to show that he's back to full health, Bergman will likely serve as a long man out of the Rockies' bullpen.

Rea is a likely candidate to start Thursday in place of Cesar Vargas (elbow), Bill Center of Padres.com reports.

Rea is tentatively scheduled to make a brief appearance for Triple-A El Paso on Sunday, but now that a rotation spot has opened up, it seems unlikely the right-hander will toss more pitches than a regular bullpen session. The Padres had originally planned to take a conservative approach with the 25-year-old, but now that a need for a spot start has arose, there's a chance he sees Major League action again much quicker than originally expected.