MLB Player News

Nationals starting pitcher Stephen Strasburg's shoulder injury is not believed to be serious, according to CBSSports.com Baseball Insider Jon Heyman. The injury is more toward the back of the shoulder.

FOX Sports reported Wednesday that Strasburg was forced from his start Tuesday against the Marlins after three innings due to a shoulder cramp.

Rival executives are expecting Dodgers starting pitcher Zack Greinke to opt out of a contract that still has three years, $73 million left on it, if Los Angeles doesn't extend him, according to CBSSports.com Baseball Insider Jon Heyman. 

Although, Heyman suggests it is unlikely the Dodgers will let Greinke leave Los Angeles since it has the financial resources to keep him.

Greinke is 37-12 with a 2.57 ERA in 66 starts with the Dodgers.

The Astros will be seeking one, if not two, starting pitchers this summer, according to CBSSports.com Baseball Insider Jon Heyman. However, even though the Astros system is loaded with elite prospects, it doesn't appear Phillies starting pitcher Cole Hamels will be on the Astros' radar.

"Too pricey," one Astros person suggested.

Cardinals pitcher Lance Lynn struggled during the opening frame of Wednesday's game and he never recovered in route to a 6-5 loss to the Cubs.

"I just couldn't make the pitch when I needed to," Lynn said, per MLB.com. "I was in some spots to make pitches to get out of innings, and just couldn't get it done tonight. I was leaving balls in the middle of the plate at the wrong time."

Lynn allowed two runs on four hits in the opening frame. He finished the game allowing five runs on eight hits over six innings. He also struck out six batters and walked two. He received his third loss of the season for his effort.

"It was a tough zone, floating around a little bit, and he was fighting, trying to, I think, make perfect pitches at times," manager Mike Matheny said. "But he did a nice job using his cutter. His curveball hurt him one time when he left it up and it got too much of the plate. But otherwise, it was a real effective pitch for him. And he found a real nice feel for his fastball."

His main mistake was a two-run home run to Anthony Rizzo in the third inning. As a result of the performance, his ERA rose from 3.07 to 3.82.

His next expected start is scheduled for Tuesday at Cleveland.

Mets pitcher Jacob deGrom earned a win Wednesday, giving up just one earned run on six hits and one walk in seven innings while striking out nine in his team's 5-1 victory over the Orioles.

"We tweaked some things there, and it's helped my offspeed [pitches]," deGrom said, per MLB.com.

deGrom (3-3) snapped a two-start losing streak with his excellent effort Wednesday, which featured his season high in strikeouts. His only damage came on a single with two men on in the fifth inning, but his offense picked up two runs in the following inning to give him more cushion than he would need.

"His changeup got so good toward the end of last summer that it became a huge pitch for him," manager Terry Collins said. "He has kind of got away from it a little bit, and we want him to re-establish that. We talked the other day; he's got to use his curveball."

deGrom owns a 2.95 ERA and 32:8 K:BB ratio in 36 2/3 innings. He's scheduled to face the Cubs in Chicago Tuesday.

Rockies pitcher Jordan Lyles took the loss in Game 2 of Wednesday's doubleheader, giving up four earned runs on nine hits and one walk in seven innings while striking out six in his team's 5-1 defeat against the Diamondbacks.

Lyles (2-3) had his second-straight off night Wednesday, though he was able to limit the free passes after dishing out a total of 12 walks in his last three starts. He served up a solo home run in the fourth inning and three more runs in the fifth before making it through a pair of scoreless innings to end his night.

Lyles owns a 4.42 ERA and 21:17 K:BB ratio in 36 2/3 innings. The Rockies have a pair of off-days before his next start, which will likely come Tuesday against the Angels.

Pirates pitcher Gerrit Cole took the loss Wednesday, allowing three earned runs on eight hits and two walks in five innings while striking out four in his team's 3-0 defeat against the Reds.

"He pitched a good ballgame," manager Clint Hurdle said, per MLB.com. "He got into a couple of tough spots. But there's no shame in what he did tonight. He battled and went after it, like he always does."

Cole (4-1) earned wins in four straight starts coming into Wednesday's start, giving up a total of three earned runs during that stretch. He matched that number against the Reds, allowing a pair of runs in the fourth inning and another on a solo home run in the fifth. It was just the second home run allowed by the righty this season.

Cole owns a 2.27 ERA and 39:10 K:BB ratio in 35 2/3 innings. He's slated to face the Phillies Monday.

With pitcher Brandon Morrow on the disabled list, the Padres will turn to long reliever Odrisamer Despaigne for Thursday's start agasint the Diamondbacks, reports MLB.com.

It is Despaigne's first start since April 20. In 21 1/3 innings, Despaigne has gone 2-0 with a 2.95 ERA.

Dodgers manager Don Mattingly told reporters that Hyun-Jin Ryu's rehab was "slowed down" after his velocity decreased in his most recent bullpen session on Friday, according to the Orange County Register. Ryu was moved from the 15-day to the 60-day disabled list on Monday. He has yet to pitch a game this season.

The discomfort Nationals pitcher Stephen Strasburg experienced in his shoulder during Tuesday's game was just a cramp, a source told Fox Sports.

Strasburg was removed after throwing three innings during Tuesday's loss to the Marlins. He received an adjustment from a chiropractor Wednesday and was throwing on the field after Wednesday’s contest.