MLB Player News

Dodgers relief pitcher Juan Nicasio is nearing a return to the bullpen as his cracked fingernail continues to improve, the team announced.

Nicasio was able to throw a bullpen session on Sunday. He left Wednesday's game with the injury to the middle finger of his throwing hand because he was unable to throw breaking balls.

Nicasio has a 2.16 ERA with 29 strikeouts in 25 innings this season.

Phillies pitcher Cole Hamels was a terror for Pirates batters to deal with in Sunday afternoon’s 1-0 loss.

"We're trying to scratch out a run for him, and allow him to pitch," Phillies manager Ryne Sandberg said, per MLB.com. "He continues to go out and give us a chance to win. ... All he needed was one run today."

A pitcher’s duel throughout, Hamels, in a no-decision, went seven full innings and did not allow an earned run. He only surrendered four hits and one walk in 102 pitches. Hamels struck out 12 batters, a season-high for the veteran pitcher. 

"I'm just doing what I can do. I only get to effect every five days," Hamels said. "As long as I'm going out there and being accountable, that's all I can do."

The game dropped Hamels’ ERA for the season down to 2.96.

His next start is projected for Friday against the Cardinals.

Dodgers right-hander Zack Greinke was stellar in his start against the Padres on Saturday. He was saddled with his second loss of the season, however, as the Dodgers fell 2-1.

Greinke (5-2) twirled eight innings, allowing just two runs on eight hits. He struck out seven and walked one, needing an even 100 pitches for the complete game. He gave up an early run in the first inning, but the Dodgers were able to tie the game two innings later.

But the fatal blow came in the eighth, when Greinke served up a solo home run to Justin Upton, which proved to be the game-winner. Greinke has now failed to earn a win in seven straight starts.

Still, it was a strong outing for Greinke, who will take a 1.95 ERA into his next start, scheduled for Thursday at home against the Rangers.

Cubs starter Kyle Hendricks went five innings on Saturday against the Reds. He allowed just one run on four hits and struck out seven while not issuing a walk in the Cubs' walk-off win.

The only run the right-hander served up came on a Joey Votto solo home run on the fourth inning. He exited after the fifth inning in line for the win, but he was forced to settle for a no-decision after the bullpen coughed up the lead.

Hendricks' night game to an end prematurely, as a 2 hour 48 minute rain delay knocked both pitchers out of the game after the fifth inning. 

Hendricks is scheduled to make his next start on Thursday in Cleveland.

Williams Perez, who has bounced between the bullpen and the starting rotation, picked up his first MLB save Saturday as the Braves needed extra innings to finish off the Mets. 

Perez was the seventh Atlanta pitcher on the afternoon, and despite giving up two hits, he was able to pick up the save on just nine pitches. 

Perez last pitched Wednesday, when he went seven innings of four-hit ball to improve to 2-0 on the season. He is still expected to make his next start on Monday.

"His side [session] would have been yesterday or today," manager Fredi Gonzalez said, per MLB.com. "We held him back on purpose because we were a little short. The plan was for him to be used in an emergency, and today was an emergency."

Jacob deGrom had a solid outing but saw his bullpen squander a victory as the Braves rallied to defeat the Mets in 11 innings Saturday. 

deGrom made just one mistake in his seven innings of work, allowing a first inning homer to Atlanta's Freddie Freeman. After that, deGrom cruised, allowing just four more hits while striking out nine batters. 

It was the sixth straight start deGrom has made where he's allowed two or fewer runs as he has lowered his ERA to 2.33. 

Gerrit Cole continued his dominant season on the hill for the Pirates, becoming the first major-league pitcher to reach 10 victories as the Bucs edged the Phillies 4-3 on Saturday.

Cole (10-2) was effective in his six innings of work, allowing just one earned run, while striking out seven without allowing a walk. Cole lowered his ERA to 1.71, which leads MLB.

Cole has now won five straight starts and is 14-2 in his last 18 outings, which dates back to September of last season. 

Dodgers starter Clayton Kershaw was his usually dominant self on Friday against the Padres, but he was forced to settle for a no-decision in the 4-3 victory. Kershaw went 6 2/3 innings, allowing just one run on four hits. He walked three and struck out 11, lowering his ERA to 3.21.

The only run Kershaw gave up came in his final inning, a solo home run by Clint Barmes to cut the Dodgers' lead to 2-1. Unfortunately for Kershaw, the Dodgers bullpen gave the lead up, but the Dodgers were able to get it back and record the 4-3 win.

The reigning MVP and Cy Young Award winner has now given up just three earned runs over his last four starts following Friday's performance. He'll look to get back in the win column in his next start, scheduled for Wednesday at home against the Rangers.

Padres right-hander Odrisamer Despaigne pitched well in a no-decision on Friday against the Dodgers. Despaigne allowed just two runs (one earned) on six hits over 6 1/3 innings. He walked one and struck out five, marking the fifth consecutive start in which he has gone at least six innings.

Despaigne (3-4) gave up an RBI single to Adrian Gonzalez in the third inning, and another to A.J. Ellis in the fourth.

He now has back-to-back winless starts. He'll look to get back in the win column when he makes his next start on Wednesday in Oakland.

Diamondbacks starter Chase Anderson was magnificent on Friday against the Giants. Anderson gave up just one hit over seven shutout innings, walking one and striking out two in the 1-0 victory.

Anderson actually had a no-hitter with one out in the seventh inning, but Buster Posey reached on a come-backer that was ruled a base hit. Still, it was a stellar outing for the 27-year-old. 

Anderson (2-1, 2.82 ERA) has given up just one run over 12 2/3 innings in his last two starts. He'll look to keep rolling in his next start, scheduled for Wednesday at home against the Angels.