MLB Player News

Lorenzen (elbow) threw live batting practice Friday at extended spring training in Arizona.

Lorenzen could begin a rehab assignment in the near future. "He's to that point now where he's going to be firing in a ballgame. That's great news," Reds manager Bryan Price said Saturday. So far, there's no projected return date.

Maeda underwent X-rays on his right hand after Saturday's win over the Mets, which came back negative, Ken Gurnick of MLB.com reports.

Manager Dave Roberts said that Maeda, who was hit on the hand by a comebacker in the first inning Saturday, was dealing with a little bit of swelling, but remains in line to make his next start Thursday against the Cubs. The right-hander was able to remain in the game after the incident and went on to toss five scoreless innings to earn the win, but Roberts removed him after just 75 pitches, most likely for precautionary purposes.

Wheeler (elbow) threw a 20-pitch bullpen session Friday, the most pitches he thrown in a session to date, Newsday reports.

Wheeler, for the first time, threw two-seam fastballs and change-ups in addition to four-seam fastballs. He will steadily progress to a full bullpen session and then likely a simulated game prior to kicking off a rehab stint in the minors. That rehab assignment is likely to last a full 30 days before he rejoins the Mets, possibly around the July 1 target date.

Greinke (6-3) pitched six innings in Saturday's 8-7 win over the Padres. He allowed four runs on six hits while walking one and striking out two.

The veteran had a perfect opportunity, playing the anemic Padres offense, to lower his ERA for the third consecutive game, but Greinke failed to do so. He gave up a solo home run to Matt Kemp in the first, then held the Padres scoreless until the sixth. In his final frame of the night, Greinke gave up four runs on four hits, including three doubles, that ruined his line for an otherwise fine outing.

Hendricks (3-4) went the distance against the Phillies, surrendering just five hits and an earned run. He struck out seven.

Hendricks turned in a gem, throwing 76 of 104 pitches for strikes, notching first-pitch strikes on 26 of 32 batters, and inducing 12 swings-and-misses. It was the 26-year-old's first complete game of the season, and the seven whiffs were his second-best total on the year as well. The effort lowered Hendricks' ERA to 2.93, a stellar figure that belies his current 3-4 record. While receiving less attention than his more publicized rotation mates, the Dartmouth product is enjoying a fine season in his own right, and will look to continue his success against the Dodgers next Thursday.

Eickhoff (2-7) surrendered eight hits, four earned runs and a walk over six innings in Saturday's 4-1 loss to the Cubs. He struck out seven.

As has been the case on more than one occasion this season, Eickhoff didn't necessarily pitch himself out of a win, although he did find himself in an early mess. He allowed a 379-foot homer to Dexter Fowler to start the game, and then gave up an RBI double to Ben Zobrist later in the opening frame. Jason Heyward then got to Eickhoff in the second, blasting an RBI double to deep left center. The 25-year-old was reasonably effective otherwise, and induced 12 swinging strikes on the afternoon. However, he once again received nominal run support, a running theme in several of his losses this season. He'll try to get back on the winning side of the ledger versus the Brewers on Thursday.

Nicasio (4-4) allowed four runs on seven hits, including two homers in a loss to the Rangers on Saturday. He also struck out four and walked one.

The right-hander pitched a little bit more to contact in Texas and induced mostly ground balls, but two of the three fly balls he allowed landed out of the ballpark. Nicasio has a healthy 9.0 K/9, but he has also tossed up seven bombs in his last 32 innings. That's help elevate his ERA to 4.79. His next start will be Thursday against Miami.

Maeda (4-3) threw five shutout innings, allowing just two hits in a victory against the Mets on Saturday. He also had three strikeouts and two walks.

The game was scoreless after five, and Maeda didn't pitch another inning, but two runs in the top of the sixth gave the Dodgers the lead, and Maeda the victory. He threw just 75 pitches, but Los Angeles has kept his pitch count well below 100 over the last three outings. It proved successful, as this was the first time since May 6 that he didn't allow four runs. He now has a 3.00 ERA, 1.05 WHIP and 51 strikeouts in 57 innings. Maeda's next start will be Thursday against the Cubs.

Syndergaard (5-2) was ejected in the third inning after throwing a ball behind Dodgers second baseman Chase Utley in Saturday's game.

The bad blood between Utley and the Mets stems from Utley's controversial late slide in the playoffs last year. Syndergaard threw 2.1 scoreless innings, allowing just two hits, no walks while striking out three before he threw a 99 mph behind Utley's back and was immediately ejected. Although retribution was to be expected, it wasn't the best of strategies, as both the Mets and fantasy owners would rather see Syndergaard on the mound. After he left, New York's bullpen gave up nine runs in the final four frames. His next start will be Friday against the Marlins.

Wainwright (5-3) allowed four runs on six hits over the course of seven innings against the Nationals on Saturday. He struck out.

Wainwright had problems with the long ball - allowing three - but other than that, it was a solid start for the 34-year-old righty. Even though this season has been a disappointment for him and his 5.71 ERA, Wainwright seems to be on the right track with seven runs allowed on 19.2 innings across his last three starts. He will look to keep it going in his next start against the Giants on Friday.