MLB Player News

Flaherty, 20, has a 1.80 ERA and 7:2 K:BB ratio through 10 innings for High-A Palm Beach.

Flaherty posted a 2.84 ERA and 97:31 K:BB ratio in 95 innings at Low-A last season. A first round pick in 2014, Flaherty has four pitches along with ideal size.

Stripling was tagged with a no decision Thursday, allowing two earned runs over 6.0 innings while striking out five batters.

Although Stripling actually allowed a hit Thursday as opposed to his 7.1 innings of no-hit ball in his first start of the season last week, the young right-hander still put together a solid outing altogether. Stripling was more dialed-in in terms of command, cutting his walks down from four on Friday to just one free pass against the Diamondbacks. As the season wears on an teams get more of a feel for Stripling's tendencies, however, his numbers figure to take a dip. Furthermore, his time in the Dodgers' rotation may be nearing a close given that Michael Bolsinger and Hyun-Jin Ryu are due for returns in the coming weeks.

Ray took the no decision Thursday, allowing two earned runs over 6.1 innings. He logged six strikeouts and five walks over his 94 pitches.

Aside from some command issues, Ray cruised through his first six innings of work Thursday before allowing two of the first three batters he faced in the seventh to reach base. Although Ray left the game staked to a two-run lead, Randall Delgado immediately allowed those two baserunners come around to score and he ultimately surrendered the lead to the Dodgers while failing to record an out. Ray has largely been able to work around his walk issues to start the season, allowing just four earned runs despite racking up nine walks in 12.1 innings of work. He'll make his next start next week during the Diamondbacks series in San Francisco.

Hammel (1-0) walked four and allowed four hits over six innings Thursday, but held the Reds scoreless for his first win of the year.

He struck out only three, and that early K:BB of 9:7 certainly won't excite fantasy owners, but Hammel has also allowed just one run in 12 innings so far. He also helped his own cause with an RBI double. Even when he isn't able to prevent runs this well, the Cubs look like they're going to win a lot, and that should help Hammel rack up plenty of wins of his own.

Teheran (0-2) was tagged for six runs on six hits over seven innings in Thursday's loss to Washington. He struck out six and walked one.

After putting too many men on base in his first two starts of the year, Teheran mostly limited the baserunners in this one, but was punished harshly when he did put them on because he had the misfortune to load the bases for Bryce Harper, who promptly hit the ball out of the park. That was one of two homers the righty allowed in this one, making four total in his first three starts. Once one of the game's most promising young pitchers, Teheran's become overly vulnerable to walks and homers, meaning fantasy owners should pick their spots with him.

Strasburg (2-0) struck out seven while holding the Braves to two runs on four hits and two walks in 7.2 innings during Thursday's win.

After a so-so first outing of the year, Strasburg had his Wednesday start pushed back to Thursday due to an illness, but he certainly looked healthy out there. With Strasburg pitching well and Bryce Harper supporting him with a grand slam, the Nationals couldn't ask for the plan to go off better than it did in this game. Considering the expectations that have been placed on Strasburg throughout his career, it's a disappointment that he's never pitched a full season with an ERA under 3.00. But at 27 years old and finally healthy, it wouldn't be surprising to see Strasburg turn in his best campaign yet. Of course, he'll have to face far tougher opposition than the Braves in future starts.

Cole avoided serious injury when a line drive off the bat of Jordan Zimmermann nicked his forehead in the sixth inning of Thursday's contest. "I hit the deck pretty hard," Cole told the Pittsburgh Tribune-Review. "Luckily, I was able to get out of the way. It didn't get me that good."

The liner ricocheted off Cole and was fielded by Andrew McCutchen in center field. It's still possible concussion symptoms appear in the next day or two, so he's not necessarily out of the woods yet. The righty also slipped on his follow-through in the second inning but avoided a possible ankle injury. He'll face the Padres in San Diego in his next start.

The Pirates haven't decided whether Taillon will be under an innings limit in 2016. "We're going to treat him like any other pitcher," trainer Todd Tomczyk told the Pittsburgh Tribune-Review. "We will monitor his recovery on a daily basis throughout the year to see if an innings threshold needs to be done or not."

Pittsburgh will be careful with Taillon, who last pitched in a professional game Sept. 1, 2013 for Triple-A Indianapolis. The righty got off to a strong start Tuesday, allowing just one run in six innings, striking out six without walking a batter.

DeSclafani (oblique) will throw his second bullpen session of the week Friday, MLB.com reports.

If all goes well Friday, DeSclafani will face live hitters Monday in Cincinnati before departing for a minor league rehab assignment. The team has not said how many rehab starts he'll make, but DeSclafani worked up to 45 pitches in his last bullpen session, so perhaps the right-hander will only need one or two starts in order to be cleared to rejoin the major league rotation.

Velasquez (2-0) was filthy in Thursday's win over the Padres, tossing a complete game shutout with three hits allowed. He struck out a career-high 16 batters and did not issue a walk.

Velasquez extended his scoreless streak to 15 innings with his first shutout in nine career starts. The 23-year-old right-hander, acquired in the trade that sent former closer Ken Giles to Houston, had nine strikeouts in six innings in a 1-0 win against the Mets last Saturday. If Velasquez hasn't already been picked from the wire, now may be your last chance to claim him.