MLB Player News

Reds right-hander Johnny Cueto was excellent in his start against the Twins on Wednesday. Cueto went eight strong innings, allowing one run on four hits. He walked one and struck out eight, dropping his ERA to 2.84. He evened his record to 5-5 with this performance

This was Cueto's finest start since he twirled seven shutout innings on June 7. He retired 11 in a row at one point, and never really lost his composure in this one.

Cueto has pitched at least six innings in all but one of his 15 starts this season.

Pirates starter Gerrit Cole had his first no-decision since April 8, his first start of the season, in Tuesday's 14-inning win over Detroit. 

Cole scored two runs on a season-high nine hits over 6 2/3 innings. He didn't walk a batter and struck out six. 

Cole has allowed two runs or fewer in nine of his last 10 starts. 

Reds starter Anthony DeSclafani allowed six runs on 11 hits in 6 2/3 innings on Tuesday. DeSclafani lost his second straight decision, dropping to 5-6. He hasn't won since June 9. 

DeSclafani walked one and matched a season high with seven strikeouts. 

"I battled most of the night with runners on," said DeSclafani, per MLB.com. "I thought I did a good job up until that seventh inning, and I've got to do a better job that inning."

Phillies starter Cole Hamels left Tuesday's game against Milwaukee after seven innings, with a 3-2 lead. 

The Phillies bullpen cost Hamels his first win since May 23, however. Hamels settled for a no-decision. He has three losses and three no-decisions since his last win. 

Hamels gave up five hits, walked one and struck out seven. 

Despite producing a quality start in Tuesday's contest, Cardinals pitcher Lance Lynn received a no-decision during the 2-1 loss to the White Sox.

Lynn allowed one run on six hits over six innings of work. He also struck out six and walked one during the outing. He now has a 2.74 ERA on the season.

Lynn has produced a quality start in four of his last five starts. He has not lost a start since May 22.

Cubs pitcher Kyle Hendricks did not allow an earned run in Tuesday night's 1-0 win over the Mets. 

Hendricks went six innings, gave up three hits, walked one batter and struck out six. This snapped a two-game slump that saw him give up a total of 10 earned runs. Hendricks now has an ERA of 4.15 this season. 

The Rockies placed right-handed pitcher Christian Bergman on the disabled list due to right shoulder fatigue, according to MLB.com.

Bergman was recalled from Triple-A Albuquerque earlier this month. Colorado also moved pitcher John Axford to the temporary inactive list and recalled right-handed pitcher Justin Miller and left-handed pitcher Yohan Flande. 

Marlins starting pitcher Henderson Alvarez (shoulder) threw a 30-pitch bullpen session Tuesday, according to The Miami Herald. Manager Dan Jennings said the right-hander could begin a rehab assignment right after the All-Star break in mid-July.

Diamondbacks manager Chip Hale said pitcher Patrick Corbin will be ready to return for Arizona's series against the Rangers next week. 

This series begins next Tuesday, July 7 and will go only two games. 

Hale said Corbin will need this week to finish out his rehab. Corbin has been on the disabled list after missing all of last season due to Tommy John surgery in 2013. 

The Cardinals boast a 98.9 percent chance of making the playoffs, according to FanGraphs. And shelved starter Adam Wainwright could be pitching in those playoffs, according to Adam Wainwright.

The top-flight righty jas been out since tearing his Achilles tendon in late April. It's an injury that generally requires 9-12 months to rehab. The fruition of his hope would mean a six-month recovery, but he's still hanging on to it.

"I'll do whatever it takes to pitch in October, he told the St. Louis Post-Dispatch. "That's the deal."

Wainwright is speaking as a pitcher who has not experienced the pain common to other injuries. And that has been encouraging.

"I feel completely normal at all times," he said. "It's a really strange injury ... as far as pain is concerned. I have had zero pain the entire process and each day my range of motion is getting better and better. My strength is better and my poor, little, tired, sad calf in my left leg is starting to get some strength back."

The loss of Wainwright has not proven devastating for the St. Louis staff, which still boasts the best ERA in the majors. That is a good thing because it has put the team in position for another playoff run in which he feels he can participate. But it's a bad thing because it doesn't make him feel particularly good about himself.

"They even got better without me," he said. "It makes me feel kind of worthless, to be honest with you."