MLB Player News

Pirates right-hander Vance Worley has been tabbed to make an emergency start on Saturday against the Brewers, after scheduled starter Francisco Liriano was scratched with neck tightness. Worley has not started a game for the Pirates since May 14, as he has been pitching out of the bullpen for most of this season.

Dodgers starting pitcher Clayton Kershaw was simply dominant during his start against the Nationals on Saturday.

Kershaw threw eight scoreless innings and allowed just three hits. He struck out 14 batters, the second-most strikeouts of his career.

Kershaw improved to 7-6 with the win. He now has an impressive 2.68 ERA with 174 strikeouts and 27 walks in 131 innings this season.

Reds pitcher Anthony DeSclafani will make his scheduled start on Saturday. 

DeSclafani was scratched from his last start, prior to the All Star Break, with gluteal tightness. 

DeSclafani is in the Reds lineup, batting eighth. 

The Royals are trying hard to acquire Reds pitcher Johnny Cueto, reports The Kansas City Star.

Cueto has also been involved in trade discussions with the Dodgers and Astros. Cueto is 6-6 with a 2.73 ERA in 17 starts this season.

Diamondbacks left-hander Robbie Ray had a decent outing against the Giants on Friday, allowing two runs on right hits over five innings. But he was left with a no-decision when the bullpen coughed up a 5-2 lead late in the game. 

Ray, who struck out eight without issuing a walk on Friday, gave up individual runs in the second and fifth innings, but the high strikeout total resulted in 99 pitches through his five frames. 

Ray has been solid all year, as Friday's performance actually increased his ERA to 2.29. He has not allowed more than three earned runs in any of his nine starts this season.

Mets right-hander Noah Syndergaard was solid against the Cardinals on Friday, but was left with his fifth loss of the season. Syndergaard allowed two runs on five hits over seven innings. He walked one and struck out six, but the Mets offense was unable to solve Lance Lynn in the 3-2 loss.

Syndergaard (4-5) cruised through the first five innings, throwing up zeroes along the way. But he got into trouble in the sixth, when he allowed both of his runs, including a go-ahead home run by Jhonny Peralta. 

Friday's outing did lower Syndergaard's ERA down to 3.05. He owns a 2.08 ERA and 44 punchouts over his last six starts.

Cardinals right-hander Lance Lynn was terrific in his start against the Mets on Friday. Lynn allowed a home run to Curtis Granderson to lead off the game, but gave up just two more hits the rest of the way.

Overall, Lynn gave up one run on three hits over seven innings. He walked one and struck out nine, lowering his ERA to 2.79 on the year.

This was a good start to the second half of the season for Lynn, who closed out his first half with a five-run outing against the Pirates last weekend.

Pirates right-hander Charlie Morton was effective on Friday, but was still saddled with his thid loss of the season in the 4-1 defeat to the Brewers. Morton allowed four runs on five hits over six innings. He walked three and struck out two, increasing his ERA to 4.34.

Morton (6-3) had allowed just two runs through his first six innings of work. But he gave up a couple more in his final frame. He was outdueled by Mike Fiers, who limited the Pirates to just one run on the evening.

Morton has gone exactly six innings in each of his last four starts, but he has allowed a total of 13 earned runs in that span. 

Cubs right-hander Kyle Hendricks delivered a solid outing on Friday, but was left with a no-decision in the 4-2 loss to the Braves. Hendricks have up two runs (one earned) on four hits over 5 2/3 innings. He walked one and struck out five, throwing an even 100 pitches on the evening.

Hendricks left the game with the score tied 2-2, but the bullpen allowed the Braves to push across two runs in the eighth inning. 

Hendricks had a 20 1/3 inning scoreless streak coming into the game, posting shutouts in each of his previous three starts. His season ERA now sits at 3.44.

Braves right-hander Julio Teheran did not have his best stuff in his first start of the second half, but the Braves were still able to beat the Cubs 4-2 on Friday. Teheran lasted 4 2/3 innings, allowing two runs on five hits. He walked three and struck out five, needed 90 pitches (54 strikes) to get through his outing.

Teheran was given an early 1-0 lead in the first, but he gave up two runs in the third. The Braves tied the game in the bottom of the third. After giving up a double and a walk, Teheran was pulled with two outs in the fifth. He did not factor in the final decision.

This was Teheran's shortest outing since May 26, as he had gone at leat six innings in eight straight starts.