MLB Player News

Phillies pitcher Cole Hamels allowed six runs on 10 hits in six innings of work in Philadelphia's 7-0 loss to the Marlins Saturday. 

Hamels struggled early on when in the second inning third baseman Martin Prado crushed a three-run homer. Then in the third, Hamels surrendered back-to-back doubles, producing another run. Hamels would allow two more runs before getting the hook.

Hamels, now 1-3, ballooned his ERA to 4.14 and will look to get back on track Wednesday against the Pirates.

Phillies pitcher Sean O'Sullivan took the mound hours before the game against Miami to throw a two-inning simulated game. 

O'Sullivan is on the 15-day disabled list with a knee injury. He threw 50 pitches and followed a normal game-day routine. 

"Tried to treat it like a normal outing," O'Sullivan said, per MLB.com. "I warmed up and threw my pregame warmup like I normally would, then waited a few minutes, went out, threw a first inning of 20 pitches or so, sat down for a few minutes, back out there for another 20 or so pitches. It felt good. Threw everything ... The idea was mostly to see how my knee would hold up, let it loose with the break in between to see if it would stiffen up or not. But it didn't, so everything feels good so far."

Cardinals pitcher Lance Lynn allowed one run on four hits over seven solid innings of work during Friday's 2-1 win over the Pirates.

Lynn also struck 10 batters and walked one to lower his ERA to 3.07. The 10 strike outs were a season high for Lynn. Despite the solid effort, Lynn received a no-decision.

The lone run Lynn surrendered came in the sixth inning when A.J. Burnett singled in a run. Lynn has allowed one run in four of his five starts this season.

His next scheduled start is expected to be Wednesday against the Cubs

Reds pitcher Anthony DeSclafani had trouble with his control during Friday's 4-3 loss to the Braves.

DeSclafani walked five batters over five innings of work. He also allowed four runs on four hits and struck out five batters. His ERA raised from 1.04 to 2.03. DeSclafani had yet to walk more than two batters in his previous four starts. He has now failed to pitch past the fifth inning in two-consecutive starts.

DeSclafani's biggest mistake was a two-run home run he surrendered to Kelly Johnson in the fifth inning.

His next expected start is scheduled for Thursday at Pittsburgh.

Marlins pitcher Henderson Alvarez said his right shoulder and elbow injuries did not experience any setbacks following a bullpen session he threw on Wednesday, according to the Miami Herald. 

"Everything until now in my arm has felt fine," Alvarez said. "The MRI said it was inflammation and tendonitis. My shoulder was overworked because I was pitching to make up for [the elbow]. But I feel good now."

Alvarez is dealing with shoulder inflammation and elbow tightness. He went on the disabled list on April 13. 

If everything goes well for Alvarez, the plan is for him to throw an extended spring training game next Thursday before beginning a rehab assignment on May 12. He then could return to the Marlins' rotation on May 17. 

Reds pitcher Anthony DeSclafani, who was acquired from the Marlins this past offseason, has pitched well with his new team in 2015. After struggling in his first big-league season in 2014, "Disco", as his teammates call him, has adjusted nicely to life in Cincinnati. 

"I love it here in Cincinnati," DeSclafani said, per MLB.com. "Everyone's been really good to me, the coaching staff has been awesome, the vibe around the clubhouse is great and I couldn't be more grateful for this opportunity here. And it's a dream come true to be part of a starting rotation.

"I think it'll be good. I know what I'm capable of doing, just from the past couple years. I know when everything's feeling right. I try to keep a positive attitude and just do what I know I can do best. I think it'll all work out."

Desclafani has made four starts and is 2-1 with a 1.04 ERA for the Reds. He has recorded 21 strikeouts over 26 innings pitched. He had just 26 punchouts in 33 innings for the Marlins last year. 

Yankees sources said the team is nothing thinking more about making a trade for Phillies ace Cole Hamels in the wake of the arm injury to starting pitcher Masahiro Tanaka, according to CBSSports.com Baseball Insider Jon Heyman. 

"Not looking," a Yankees source said.

Yankees sources added they suspect the Phillies don't mind having New York connected to trade rumors involving the left-handed hurler since it could increase a potential deal with AL East foe Boston. A lot of baseball personnel still see the Red Sox as the most logical trade partner for Hamels.

Rival teams told CBSSports.com Baseball Insider Jon Heyman the Rangers should not trade prospects Jorge Alfaro and Nomar Mazara to acquire Phillies starting pitcher Cole Hamels. Some sources indicated that is too much for the Phillies ace.

Alfaro is considered a top-100 prospect by MLB.com (No. 45) and Baseball America (No. 67). He is batting .328 with one home run, six doubles and six RBI in 16 games at Double-A this season. He has a career .264/.328/.433/.761 slash line.

Mazara is also a top-100 prospect for MLB.com (No. 54) and Baseball America (No. 87). He is batting .323 with one double and seven RBI in 17 games at Double-A. He has a .259/.347/.430/.777 slash line in his career.

Though the Phillies would still insist on top talents such as outfielder Mookie Betts or catcher Blake Swihart as a starting point in a trade that sends ace Cole Hamels to Boston, they are also impressed with outfielder Manny Margot, reports CBSSports.com Baseball Insider Jon Heyman.

The Red Sox remain the favorite to land Hamels due to their talent depth in the farm system and their desire to snag a top-flight starter.

Betts, however, might come with a bit of concern, according to one scout, who texted that though he's a good athlete, "I'm not sure about his ability to hit. You have to hit. He likes the ball in ... can't hit the ball away."

As for Swihart, the same scout reported that he's ready for the big leagues offensively, but not defensively.

Margot is off to a superb start at Class A Advanced Salem. He boasts a slash line of .324/.377/.515 in 68 at-bats with 16 runs scored and nine stolen bases.

Nationals pitcher Sammy Solis made his big-league debut Thursday night against the Nationals, allowing one hit and striking out over two shutout frames against the Mets. The 26-year-old was promoted from Triple-A Syracuse prior to the game, and revealed he had a few butterflies in his stomach before his debut.

"After the first pitch, you get the jitters out and you dream of that moment your whole life," Solis said, per MLB.com. "Once that's done, it's baseball and pitching. I know how to do that."

Solis was taken in the second round of the 2010 First-Year Player Draft, and was originally viewed as a starting pitcher. But after Tommy John surgery and several injury-prone seasons, the southpaw wound up in the bullpen.

"It's different, I'll tell you that. It's a different mindset," Solis said. "Instead of worrying about six or seven innings, you are worrying about one or two. So making that adjustment has been different. I wouldn't say it has been hard, it's just been different. I'm asking questions all the time; I'm trying to learn as much as I can. I'm getting the hang of it. It's going to progress, I think. But for now, I think it's going well."