MLB Player News

Spring was barely a month old the last time Cubs starter Jason Hammel did not achieve a quality start.

Hammel, whose last dud was April 22, made it eight in a row Saturday by dominating Washington. If not for a home run by Bryce Harper leading off the ninth, he might have snagged his first complete game of the season as well.

The right-hander allowed two runs on five hits in eight innings with two walks and seven strikeouts. His lone blemish before the Harper blast ended up over the fence as well, courtesy of Wilson Ramos.

"Jason Hammel was outstanding," manager Joe Maddon said, per MLB.com. "How many games in a row is that? You talk about pitching at an All-Star quality or level, he has. He's been unbelievably good, consistent, deep into the game, strike thrower. Just outstanding."

Hammel will try for his sixth win next Friday against Cincinnati.

Phillies starter Cole Hamels, who has been subject to trade rumors since last season's trade deadline, told MLB Network Radio on Saturday that he's "happy" in Philadelphia.

"My first focus is to be the best baseball player I can be regardless of where I am," Hamels said.

CBSSports.com Baseball Insider Jon Heyman reported in the recent weeks that the Blue Jays inquired the Phillies about Hamels, but were told the ace would not waive his 20-team no-trade clause to go to Toronto. Heyman also reported Friday that the Astros are in search of a No. 1 or 2 starter, though a deal for Hamels remains a longshot.

"People think I have more control than I do and I actually don't," Hamels said.

Hamels is 5-4 with a 2.88 ERA, a 1.11 WHIP and 84:28 K:BB ratio over his first 12 starts (81 1/3 innings). He hasn't finished the season over .500 since his 2012 All-Star campaign.

"You have to create a routine and if you're not comfortable with your routine, things will show, Hamels said.

Nationals pitcher Stephen Strasburg used all of his pitches in a 30-pitch bullpen session prior to Saturday's game against the Cubs. It was his first session off a mound since landing on the disabled list. Though Strasburg did not feel any issues afterward, the team will see how his left trapezius strain feels on Sunday before determining the next steps in a plan for his return, manager Matt Williams said, per the Washington Post. 

Cardinals starter Carlos Martinez was dominant in the team's 2-1 win over the Dodgers on Friday. The 23-year-old struck out a career-high 11 batters over seven innings. He gave up one run on three hits, while walking four. 

The only run Martinez allowed came on a bases-loaded walk in the second inning. It's the first time the young right-hander allowed a run since May 15, as he saw his scoreless streak end at 21 2/3 innings. Still, it was another impressive performance for Martinez who lowered his ERA to 2.94.

He's scheduled to make his next start Wednesday in Colorado.

Making his third start of the year on Friday, Pirates pitcher Charlie Morton had his toughest outing so far. Morton allowed four runs (three earned) on seven hits over five innings of work.

He walked three and struck out one, as he was able to pick up his third win of the season. Morton, who spent the first part of the season on the disabled list, now owns a 2.84 ERA.

Morton (3-0) got into an early deficit when he allowed two runs in the first inning. He gave up individual runs in the third and fifth innings as well, tossing 82 pitches (50 strikes) on the evening, as the Pirates won 10-8 over the Braves.

He has now won all three of his starts this season. He'll look to keep the win-streak alive in his next start, scheduled for Wednesday at home against the Brewers.

Braves starter Williams Perez took a step back in his start on Friday against the Pirates. After allowing a total of two runs in his first three starts of the season, Perez allowed four runs on five hits over five innings of work in a no-decision on Friday. He walked five, a season-high, and struck out five batters, as his ERA increased to 3.55.

With the Braves up 3-1, the big blow against Perez came off the bat of Neil Walker, who took Perez deep for a three-run blast in the fith inning. Perez had not allowed a home run in any of his first three starts.

He'll look to get back on track in his next start, scheduled for Wednesday at home against the Padres

Padres manager Bud Black has altered his rotation slightly heading into the weekend series against the Reds. Black has opted to swap right-handers Andrew Cashner and Odrisamer Despaigne. Cashner will stay on regular rest and pitch on Saturday, while Despaigne goes on Sunday.

"We want to get Cash back on the mound,” said Black, per The San Diego Union-Tribune. "Cash pitched four (and 2/3) innings (against the Mets) and I wanted him back on the mound as soon as possible. Despy gets two extra days of rest."

Nationals shelved starter Stephen Strasburg is trying to kill two birds with one stone. While he works on recovering from a left trapezius strain, he is also tinkering with his mechanics.

Strasburg has played catch on flat ground, but not yet off the rubber, after being placed on the disabled list Saturday. He believes he might have subconsciously altered his mechanics, skewing the alignment of his delivery, due to a sprained ankle sustained in spring training.

The right-hander has been a mess most of the year, but particularly in recent starts. He allowed 16 runs in his last 13 innings covering four starts as his ERA catapulted from 4.73 to 6.55.

The recovery of Diamondbacks southpaw starter Patrick Corbin from Tommy John surgery will take a step forward Monday when he starts for Class-A Advanced Visalia, per azcentral.com.

Corbin, who has only worked in extended spring training games to this point, has not pitched since 2013, when he blossomed to the tune of a 14-8 record and 3.41 ERA.

Many skeptics consider the Astros an early-season flash destined to fade. But the team could turn them into believers if they trade for Phillies ace Cole Hamels.

Such a deal remains a longshot, CBSSports.com Baseball Insider Jon Heyman reports. His $24 million annual deal could prove cost-prohibitive. But pairing Hamels with emerging ace Dallas Keuchel might make the Astros the favorite to win an American League West in which they currently own a 5 1/2-game lead.

"The goaL is a No. 1 or 2," said a person familiar with what Houston is seeking. General manager Jeff Luhnow amended that to include a 1-3 starter strong enough to pitch in a hypothetical postseason scenario.

The Astros and their rich farm system boast the talent to entice the Phillies, who are attempting to maximize the trade potential of Hamels. But Houston is also one of 20 teams on the list in his no-trade clause. It remains to be seen if he would waive it to pitch for a Houston team he likely didn't believe would emerge so quickly as a contender.