MLB Player News

Nola allowed five runs (two earned) on seven hits, walking two and striking out six over seven innings of a 7-1 loss to Atlanta on Friday night.

Nola (3-3) technically turned in a quality start, but his line was tarnished by a three-run home run after a Mikael Franco error left the door open in the seventh inning. He owns one of the best curve balls in baseball, but he needs to command his fastball more consistently to set up his breaking pitches. His future is bright atop the Phillies' rotation, but he is learning on the job and there will likely be occasional rough stretches.

Matz allowed two runs on three hits, he did not walk a batter, and struck out eight over seven innings of a 3-2 win against Milwaukee on Friday night.

Matz (6-1) had his last start skipped when he suffered some forearm soreness, but he appeared to be in fine form against the Brewers. He was efficient, tossing 65 of 88 pitches for strikes, but was removed after seven innings as a precautionary measure to make sure the forearm doesn't cause any more problems. Assuming he checks out tomorrow, he'll face the Nationals on the road in a key divisional match-up next time out.

Cole allowed one run on 10 hits, walking one, and failing to strike out a batter over seven innings of a 2-1 win against Colorado on Friday night.

An unusual outing to say the least for the Pirates' young ace. Cole (5-3) pitched around baserunners all night, and failed to register even one strikeout. He threw strikes (72 of 109 pitches) but saw a lot of balls fouled off (25) and only four swinging strikes. He'll carry a snappy 2.79 ERA when he faces off against Arizona in Pittsburgh next time out.

Lyles was recalled from Triple-A Albuquerque on Friday, Thomas Harding of MLB.com reports.

The 25-year-old faltered in a starting role with Colorado earlier this year, posting a 7.64 ERA and 1.87 WHIP in four starts. He'll step into a long-relief role this time around, replacing Christian Bergman (oblique) in the bullpen, but he remains a big ratios risk given his propensity for walking batters and inability to miss bats.

Montas (ribs) will begin a rehab assignment with Double-A Tulsa on Saturday, the Los Angeles Times' Andy McCullough reports.

The hard-throwing pitching prospect is finally back on the radar, but he will likely need to make at least three rehab starts before he can be considered an option to come off the DL. The Dodgers have several pitching prospects who could help this year, and Montas is squarely in that mix, although he may be better served getting a run at Triple-A first.

Bergman (oblique) was placed on the 15-day DL on Friday, Thomas Harding of MLB.com reports.

This seemed inevitable after Bergman was diagnosed with an oblique strain following Thursday's loss to St. Louis. Jordan Lyles was brought up Triple-A in a corresponding move to assume Bergman's long-relief role.

DeSclafani (oblique) threw live batting practice Friday, John Fay of WCPO.com reports.

The next step for DeSclafani is a rehab assignment, which is expected to consist of three minor league starts. It's not entirely clear when or where he'll begin the assignment, but DeSclafani could join an affiliate early next week. He said after Friday's session, "I feel like [the oblique's] not even a factor."

Matz (forearm) has been confirmed as Friday's starter against the Brewers.

By completing a successful bullpen session Wednesday, Matz eliminated any lingering doubt as to his status for Friday's game. However, manager Terry Collins said he is going to be "a little conservative" with Matz's pitch count against Milwaukee in hopes of avoiding any further trouble with the forearm.

Stripling (1-3) got the hook after pitching just 4.2 innings in Thursday's loss to the Angels. He allowed five runs, seven hits and three walks while striking out three.

After not allowing more than three earned runs in any of his first four starts this season, Stripling has now given up four-plus earned in three of his last four starts. Stripling seemed to have gotten through the worst of the Angels' lineup in the fifth inning when he struck out Albert Pujols with the bases loaded. However, his next pitch was the first time he's ever hit a batter and it led to manager Dave Roberts pulling the plug. The rookie will look to bounce back in his next start Tuesday against the Reds.

Hammel (5-1) took the loss Thursday against the Brewers, allowing four runs on five hits while walking two and striking out seven.

Hammel entered the day 8-0 in 11 career starts against Milwaukee, but he absorbed his first-ever loss to a makeshift starting lineup absent Ryan Braun (back), Jonathan Lucroy (rest) and Domingo Santana (shoulder). He was done in by a couple of unusual home runs, considering he has an elite 0.6 HR/9. The 33-year-old veteran managed to keep his high strikeout rate in place as he now holds an 8.29 K/9. Hammel will look to get back to his winning ways in his next start Tuesday against the Cardinals.