MLB Player News

The Cubs have flip-flopped starters Tsuyoshi Wada and Jason Hammel in their rotation this weekend against the Royals, per ESPN. The former is now set to start Saturday and the latter Sunday.

The team wants to give more time to Hammel, who is dealing with a fingernail issue. It has certainly not affected him too negatively on the mound - he has six straight quality starts.

Braves starting pitcher Alex Wood is confident his early-season struggles are behind him. Following Wednesday's win against the Dodgers, the lefty has won his last two starts and has a 2.88 ERA in four May starts.

"It's been a number of things," Wood said, per MLB.com. "The best comparison I can give is just putting the pieces of a puzzle together. You know it's going to click. It's a matter of when and putting those right parts in place. After tonight and [my recent side sessions], I feel like it's really starting to click.

Wood returned to the mound Wednesday after a 10-day layoff due to a stomach virus. He allowed one run on seven hits and two walks, while striking out six in seven innings.

"I'll be honest. I was nervous after not throwing for 10 days and being as sick as I was," Wood said. "It was kind of one of those things where before the game you tell yourself, 'I wonder what is going to happen tonight?'"

Dodgers pitcher Zack Greinke wasn't a factor in the decision on Wednesday, allowing one earned run on three hits and two walks in six innings while striking out nine in his team's 3-2 loss to the Braves.

Greinke, whose only run allowed came on a third-inning homer by Cameron Maybin, also went 1 for 2 at the plate and stole a base for the first time this season and the fourth time in 244 career at-bats. He has yet to be caught on the basepaths.

Greinke owns a 1.48 ERA and 58:14 K:BB ratio in 67 innings. Although he's allowed just one run in each of his last four outings, he hasn't recorded a win since May 5. Greinke's next start is slated for Tuesday against the Rockies in Colorado.

Braves pitcher Alex Wood earned the win on Wednesday after allowing one earned run on seven hits and two walks in seven innings while striking out six in his team's 3-2 victory over the Dodgers.

Wood (3-2) has allowed just one run in back-to-back outings, with both coming on the road, and the only damage he surrendered on Wednesday came on an infield single in the fourth inning. The Dodgers managed six singles in all and no extra-base hits.

Wood owns a 3.50 ERA and 38:18 K:BB ratio in 54 innings. He's scheduled to face the Diamondbacks in Arizona on Monday.

Cardinals pitcher Lance Lynn gave up three runs — two earned — in a no-decision during Wednesday night's 4-3 win over the Diamondbacks. 

Lynn went six innings, struck out five batters, walked four and surrendered six hits. Lynn was in line for a win until he gave up a two-run single to David Peralta in the sixth inning. Lynn now has an ERA of 3.41. 

His next start is projected for June 2 against the Brewers. 

Nationals pitcher Doug Fister and Sammy Solis were both able to throw off a flat surface on Wednesday, manager Matt Williams said per MASN Sports.

Fister, who is dealing with a strained flexor, threw for the first time since suffering the injury. Fister is 2-2 with a 4.31 ERA in 39 2/3 innings of work. Solis, who is dealing with shoulder inflammation, has not pitched since May 10 with the injury. 

Cardinals pitcher Lance Lynn is officially on the hill to start Wednesday's game against the Diamondbacks, the team announced.

Lynn was questionable to make the start on Wednesday while battling a back injury. It was discovered after his last start he was battling back spasms. He received treatment after the game and is healthy enough to start. Lynn is 3-4 with a 3.46 ERA this season.

Phillies starter Sean O'Sullivan simply couldn't get it done against the Mets on Wednesday.

O'Sullivan (1-4) threw 5 2/3 innings but allowed 11 hits and seven earned runs before being pulled from the game. 

The Mets' bats were all over O'Sullivan, who allowed four home runs in the game.

Mets starting pitcher Noah Syndergaard threw 7 1/3 scoreless innings in his team's 7-0 win over the Phillies on Wednesday.

Syndergaard (2-2) allowed just six hits while also striking out six batters in the outing. In 24 2/3 innings this season he has allowed just seven earned runs, good for a 3.45 ERA.

Pirates starting pitcher Gerrit Cole had great stuff in his team's 5-2 win over the Marlins on Wednesday.

Cole (7-2) tossed seven innings, struck out seven batter and allowed just two earned runs in the win.

"It's a big deal. Free passes tend to hurt you," Cole said to MLB.com. "For the most part, just attacking guys and staying down in the zone and forcing early contact keeps guys uncomfortable. It stops rallies."

Cole's two earned runs came on one-run home runs by Justin Bour and Christian Yelich. In 64 innings this season, Cole has allowed just 15 earned runs.