MLB Player News

Nationals starter Stephen Strasburg's struggles continued in Saturday's 8-1 loss to the Phillies. Strasburg could not get out of the fourth inning, allowing six runs (five earned) on seven hits in 3 2/3 innings. He walked one and struck out three, as his ERA rose to 6.50.

Strasburg allowed a two-run home run to Maikel Franco as part of a four-run third inning. Strasburg's defense didn't do him any favors, committing four errors on the afternoon. 

This makes five consecutive starts in which Strasburg was unable to pitch at least six innings. He'll look to turn the tides in his next start, currently scheduled for Friday in Cincinnati.

Manager Matt Williams envoked confidence in the young right hander after the game. 

"We're not concerned. He's one of our guys. He's been one of our guys, he'll continue to be one of our guys," Williams told the Washington Times.

Phillies ace left-hander Cole Hamels was masterful against the Nationals on Saturday afternoon. Hamels held the Nats to just one run on five hits in eight innings, walking one and striking out five along the way. He threw 104 pitches, with 73 going for strikes.

The only run to score on Hamels came in his final inning on an RBI-double by Ian Desmond. Hamels was able to quiet the team that leads the National League in scoring.

"They're a great lineup," Hamels said, per MLB.com. "One through nine, they've got some pitchers who hit. Every single one of them can start a rally faster than you can possibly imagine, so you just have to keep bearing down with them, you can't give in. Sometimes you look at the National League as being the weaker division, but that kind of team is an American League-style team."

Hamels (5-3) lowered his season ERA from 3.24 to 2.98. He's set to make his next start Friday against the Rockies. 

Although Cardinals starting pitcher Lance Lynn was able to go six innings Friday against the Royals, he labored through back cramps. Lynn started to feel the back cramps while warming up in the bullpen, per MLB.com.

"There are going to be games where you don't feel good and you just have to go out there and see what you can do," Lynn said. "When it was all said and done, two pitches cost me five runs.

"The only time I'm going to come out of the game is if I can't walk off. I hope it's just one of those nights, but you never know. You have to pitch through things as the season wears on."

Lynn received treatment following his start Friday and will be re-evaluated Saturday. He anticipates making his next start Wednesday against the Diamondbacks.

"We'll get it fixed and see what we can do to get going," Lynn said.

Cardinals manager Mike Matheny could see Lynn was struggling with something Friday, as he allowed five runs on 10 hits and one walk.

"He was holding back a little bit," Matheny said of Lynn. "That's what kind of had us concerned. He wasn't finishing his pitches."

Braves right-hander Alex Wood has confirmed that he will make his Wednesday start against the host Dodgers after losing his Friday outing to a virus, 680 The Fan has reported.

Wood, who added that he would be available Saturday out of the bullpen, will probably simply wait until his next start to pitch. He is coming off his finest effort of the year, a seven-inning performance at Miami in which he allowed just one run.

Reds starting pitcher Johnny Cueto will miss his scheduled start against the Indians on Sunday, per August Fagerstrom of MLB.com.

Cueto has elbow stiffness, and though he believes he could have pitched on Sunday he will sit out because he does not feel 100 percent. He said he is not "worried" and thinks this will be the only outing he'll miss.

Cueto (3-4) has a 3.03 ERA with 60 strikeouts in 65 1/3 innings this season.

Cardinals pitcher Lance Lynn received his fourth loss of the season during Friday's 5-0 loss to the Royals.

Lynn allowed five runs on 10 hits over six innings during the outing. He struck out four batters and walked one. He surrendered two home runs to Kendrys Morales.

Lynn has pitched at least six innings in his five last starts. Friday's loss broke his two-game winning streak. His next expected start is set for Wednesday against the Diamondbacks.

Despite only allowing one run on six hits over 7 2/3 innings, Dodgers pitcher Zack Greinke received a no-decision during Friday's 2-1 win over the Padres.

Greinke exited when the game was tied at 1-1. He struck out five batters and walked one during the outing.

Greinke has now pitched at least six innings and not given up more than three runs in all of his nine starts this season. His next expected start is scheduled for Wednesday against the Braves.

Although Braves pitcher Alex Wood was scratched from Friday's start, manager Fredi Gonzalez said he expects Wood to make his next start Wednesday at the Los Angeles Dodgers, reports the team's radio network.

A stomach virus caused Wood to miss Friday’s start.

After throwing five innings during Friday's 8-5 loss to the Orioles, the Marlins placed pitcher Henderson Alvarez on the 15-day disabled list, the team announced.

Alvarez is suffering from right shoulder inflammation. During Friday's start, Alvarez allowed six runs (four earned) on six hits. He struck out two batters and walked four. He is now 0-4 with a 6.45 ERA. Prior to Friday's start, it was revealed that Alvarez had been pitching with a torn UCL for years.

In addition to Alvarez, the team also placed starting pitcher Mat Latos on the 15-day disabled list Friday. Latos is dealing with left knee inflammation. He surrendered six runs during his last start Thursday.

The team is expected to call up pitchers Andre Rienzo and Vin Mazzaro from Triple-A on Saturday, reports the Miami Herald. 

Despite only giving up two runs over six innings of work, Phillies starter Sean O'Sullivan received his third loss of the season during Friday's 2-1 loss to the Nationals.

"It's definitely a confidence builder and something to build on," he said, per MLB.com. "It feels good to take the mound and have my team feel like we've got a chance to win that day."

O'Sullivan allowed five hits during the outing. He struck out three batters and walked one. His biggest mistake was surrendering a solo home run to Bryce Harper in the second inning.

"We were trying to go up, I went up," O'Sullivan said. "Right now, the best way to pitch to him is with nobody on base. At least I [was getting] the first two guys out in front of him."

O'Sullivan has not pitched past the sixth inning in any of five starts this season. His next scheduled start is set for Wednesday at the New York Mets.