MLB Player News

Cubs starting pitcher Jason Hammel, who threw on the side Thursday, is good to go for his next start on Tuesday against the Reds, per MLB.com.

Hammel left his last start on July 8 because of a strained left hamstring, but the team thinks he has gotten past the injury.

"Everything I've been told is that he's going to be OK," Cubs manager Joe Maddon said Friday.

The Mets have finalized their rotation plans for the upcoming three-game series against the Nationals, which begins on Monday. Matt Harvey will open up the set, with 2015 All-Star Jacob deGrom going on Tuesday. 

Noah Syndergaard will wrap up the series in the Nation's Capital on Wednesday. 

Nationals starting pitcher Stephen Strasburg threw on flat ground on Friday, per MLB.com.

Strasburg is on the 15-day disabled list because of a left oblique strain.

The Pirates will turn to pitcher Charlie Morton to open the second half of the season against the Brewers on Friday, the team announced.

After Morton's start Friday, the team will turn to Francisco Liriano on Saturday followed by Jeff Locke on Sunday.

The Dodgers have quietly continued trade discussions with the Phillies regarding ace Cole Hamels, according to CBSSports.com Baseball Insider Jon Heyman. They are also seriously considering Reds starting pitcher Johnny Cueto as a trade target.

The Dodgers appear determined to land another top pitcher to join Clayton Kershaw and Zack Greinke in what could be a devastating playoff rotation, per Heyman.

Braves starting pitcher Williams Perez picked up a loss during his rehab start for Triple-A Gwinett on Thursday, despite throwing a solid outing.

Perez allowed one unearned run in 2 1/3 innings of work. He struck out three batters and didn't allow any walks. Perez's final pitch count registered him throwing 45 pitches with 28 strikes.

Perez has been on the 15-day disabled list since late June because of a left foot contusion.

The Dodgers have made a slight change to their rotation for the upcoming weekend series against the Nationals. Clayton Kershaw, who was scheduled to pitch in the opener on Friday, will now pitch in the second game on Saturday.

Mike Bolsinger will pitch toe the rubber on Friday now, giving Kershaw--who pitched an inning in Tuesday's All-Star game--an extra day of rest.

Braves right-hander Williams Perez is set to begin a minor league rehab assignment. Perez has been on the disabled list since the end of June with a left foot contusion. 

He will report to Triple-A Gwinnett to start on Thursday, according to the Atlanta Journal Constitution. The rookie made 11 appearances (eight starts) before landing on the DL. He owns a 2.88 ERA over 50 innings of work.

Perez will likely need at least a couple of rehab appearances before being ready to return. 

Marlins right-hander Henderson Alvarez made his first rehab start since being placed on the disabled list at the end of May. Alvarez (shoulder) gave up two runs on three hits over 2 1/3 innings. He struck out three and did not issue a walk, pitching for Class A Jupiter on Wednesday.

It is not known how many rehab appearances Alvarez will need before being ready to rejoin the Marlins' rotation.

The Dodgers announced All-Star pitcher Clayton Kershaw will start the first game after the All-Star break on Friday against the Nationals. He will be followed in the three-game series by Mike Bolsinger and All-Star Zack Greinke.

Greinke and Kershaw pitched in Tuesday's All-Star game. Greinke started the game and allowed a solo home run to Mike Trout, but it was the only hit and run he allowed in two innings. He struck out four and walked one.

Kershaw did not do as well as his teammate. He took the loss after allowing two runs on three hits and one walk in one inning of work. He struck out one.