MLB Player News

Cardinals starter Michael Wacha was terrific in his outing against the Rockies on Friday. The right-hander fired seven shutout innings, allowing four hits and a walk while striking out seven on the evening. He improved his record to 12-4 in the 7-0 victory.

Wacha took full advantage of a comfortable lead and shutdown a tough Rockies lineup. He threw 102 pitches with 70 going for strikes, as he dropped his ERA to 3.09.

Wacha finished July going 2-1 with a 4.06 ERA in five starts.

Braves pitcher Williams Perez lost for the first time in his career, Friday against Philadelphia. 

Perez dropped to 4-1 on the year. He lasted just 4 1/3 innings, the third time in his last five starts he hasn't gone at least five. 

Perez gave up a season-high nine runs on a season-high nine hits. He walked four and struck out three. 

Reds starter Michael Lorenzen struggled in his outing against the Pirates on Friday. The right-hander allowed five runs on six hits over 5 2/3 innings. He walked three and struck out six, as he picked up his fourth loss in his last six starts.

Lorenzen (3-6, 4.80 ERA) was given an early 3-1 lead after the second inning, but he was unable to make it stand up. He allowed a game-tying home run to Andrew McCutchen in the fifth inning, and then allowed two more in the sixth before being lifted from the game.

The month of July was not kind to the rookie, as he went 0-4 with an 8.61 ERA in five starts.

Alex Wood will make his Dodgers debut when he starts Tuesday's game against the Phillies, according to ESPN.com. The left-hander was acquired from the Braves on Thursday as part of a three-team deal. He was 7-6 with a 3.54 ERA in 20 starts with the Braves prior to the trade.

Dodgers starting pitcher Clayton Kershaw was scratched from yet another scheduled start on Friday, according to The Los Angeles Times.

Kershaw is dealing with a lingering hip injury, which caused him to miss his originally scheduled start on Wednesday. He went through pre-game workouts that included throwing off the mound and flat ground, but was scratched shortly after playing catch on the flat surface.

Zack Greinke will fill in for Kershaw on Friday and take on the Angels in their cross-town matchup. He has a .036 ERA with 45 strikeouts and just two runs allowed over his last 50 2/3 innings.

Nationals starter Stephen Strasburg is set to make his second rehab start Monday for Triple-A Syracuse.

Strasburg, who pitched a mediocre four innings for the Chiefs on Wednesday, has been sidelined for four weeks with an oblique injury. He has made just three starts for Washington since May 29.

Due to poor weather conditions in Miami, Padres starting pitcher Ian Kennedy wasn't able to leave for the birth of his child, so he will make his scheduled start against the Marlins. 

Odrisamer Despaigne was slated to start in Kennedy's absence.

What was reported is now official - the Braves have activated starting pitcher Williams Perez off the disabled list. He is scheduled to start Friday against Philadelphia.

The rookie has been down since late June with a foot contusion. He returns with a 4-0 record and 2.88 ERA.

Padres starting pitcher Ian Kennedy was scratched from his start Friday against the Marlins, the team announced. Kennedy left the team to be with his wife, who is giving birth to the couple's fourth child.

The Padres announced Odrisamer Despaigne will start in Kennedy's absence.

The Phillies and Rangers finally completed their blockbuster trade Friday.

The Rangers will receive starting pitcher Cole Hamels, reliever Jake Diekman and cash considerations in exchange for starting pitcher Matt Harrison, outfield prospect Nick Williams, catcher prospect Jorge Alfaro, starting pitcher prospect Jake Thompson, starting pitcher prospect Alec Asher and starting pitcher prospect Jerad Eickhoff.

The 31-year-old Hamels, who will make his Texas debut Saturday against the Giants, has compiled a 114-90 record, 3.30 ERA and 1.15 WHIP over 10 seasons in the majors -- all with the Phillies. The three-time All-Star is under contract through 2018 on a seven-year, $159 million deal. He also has a $20 million option ($6 million buyout) for 2019.

The 28-year-old Diekman is in his fourth MLB season. He has compiled a 9-11 record, 3.84 ERA and 1.50 WHIP in 191 career relief appearances for Philadelphia. He is striking out 11.7 batters per nine innings.