MLB Player News

Cubs pitcher Jason Hammel allowed four runs, three earned, in five innings of work in Chicago's 4-3 loss to the Pirates Wednesday.

Hammel struggled early in the second, allowing three consecutive hits, leading to an RBI double for Francisco Cervelli. Then, Jung Ho Kang hit a sacrifice fly to left field to bring home another run. Hammel allowed another sacrifice fly in the third and then a home run to Gregory Polanco to lead off the fifth inning.

"It's one of those outings that leaves you scratching your head," Hammel said after the game, per MLB.com. "I thought I threw the ball well when I needed to and just got unlucky with some of the balls falling in."

Hammel, now 1-1 on the year, recorded five strikeouts with no walks in the start and boasts a 5.19 ERA. He will look to get back on track Monday against the Pirates again.

Pirates pitcher Vance Worley allowed one run, none earned, on six hits in 5 2/3 innings of work in Pittsburgh's 4-3 win over the Cubs Wednesday.

"I kept the runs off the board and I had good defense working behind me," Worley said after the game, per MLB.com. "Me and Francisco Cervelli have been getting on the right page with each other and going right after guys."

Worley worked efficiently throughout his start, with only one blemish in the fourth inning. After allowing a Kris Bryant double to lead off the inning, he was able to advance to third on a throwing error. Then Starlin Castro grounded out to third, but allowed Bryant to score.

"He is a tough, tough guy, and he's got a lot of fight and a lot of competitive spirit," manager Clint Hurdle said. "And he doesn't back down and he doesn't back away."

Worley, now 2-1 on the year, boasts a 4.00 ERA in 18 innings of work. He will look to keep rolling Monday against the Cubs again.

Phillies pitcher Cole Hamels allowed one run, none earned, on five hits in six innings of work in Philadelphia's 6-1 loss to the Marlins Wednesday.

Hamels only issues came in the second inning when he put runners on first and third. Jarred Cosart ground the ball back Hamels, who made a fielding error trying to get the ball to first. His error allowed Marcel Ozuna to score.

"Hamels really hung in there," manager Ryne Sandberg said after the game, per the Philadelphia Inquirer. "His stuff is really good with his velocity. . . . Some prolonged at-bats had something to do with the pitch count. But you know what? He battled through it and hung in there with just the one run. [He] gave us a chance to win."

Hamels, who added five strikeouts and three walks to his totals, now boasts a 3.75 ERA and remains 0-2 on the year in four starts. He will look for his first win of the year Monday against the Cardinals.

Pirates pitcher Charlie Morton is scheduled to make an extended spring training start Thursday, reports MLB.com.

Morton is trying to work his way back from right hip surgery and is set to throw 65 pitches during Thursday's start.

"Thank god he's not in pain, he's healed," Pirates pitching coach Ray Searage said. "Now he's got to get those muscle repetition memories going in the right direction, before he knew he was OK, but he just couldn't get in sync. That's why the simulated games, the bullpens and making sure that all his long toss on flat ground is monitored."

If all goes as planned, Morton will return from the disabled list around June 1.

"Right now, it's a process and we've got to stick with it and we've got to make sure that Charlie is comfortable with himself and that we feel comfortable with where Charlie's at," Searage said. "And we'll just take it one start at a time."

The Phillies placed Sean O'Sullivan on the 15-day disabled list with left knee tendinitis and recalled right-hander Hector Neris from Triple-A Lehigh Valley on Tuesday, reports the Philadelphia Daily News.

O'Sullivan hel a 4.91 ERA through three starts. He was projected to start Thursday against the Marlins. Instead, right-hander Dustin McGowan will get the call.

Diamondbacks starter Chase Anderson credited his fastball command to his success Tuesday night against the rangers. Anderson permitted one earned runs on three hits in seven innings, but had nothing to show for it, settling for a no-decision.

"Chase pitched great, did a great job," manager Chip Hale said. "Kept them off balance and gave us a chance to win. He just threw all his pitches for strikes, kept the ball down."

After allowed three earned runs in his first start of the season, Anderson has surrendered only three earned over his last two starts (13 innings). He lowered his ERA from 5.40 to 3.00 over that span.

"Fastball command helps you get deep in the game," Anderson said, per MLB.com.

Diamondbacks starter Chase Anderson gave up one run on three hits in seven innings but settles for a no decision Tuesday against the Rangers.

Anderson lowered his ERA on Tuesday from 4.09 to 3.00. He's still without a decision this season.

Anderson's next start is set for Monday against the Rockies.

Cardinals starter Lance Lynn gave up one run in six and a third innings, but he ended up with a no decision in Tuesday's loss to Washington. 

Lynn allowed five hits and four walks, while striking out seven. Lynn threw 112 pitches, 67 strikes. 

Lynn's next start is scheduled for Sunday, against Milwaukee's Mike Fiers. 

Diamondbacks pitcher Patrick Corbin continued his progress in returning from Tommy John surgery. He threw a batting practice session on Tuesday, per Fox Sports Arizona.

Corbin has another 40-pitch session planned for Saturday. Assuming there are no setbacks, he'll follow up with a three-inning appearance in an extended spring training game. 

Cardinals starting pitcher Lance Lynn is off to a promising start in 2015, posting a 1.64 ERA heading into his start Tuesday against the Nationals. If Lynn pitches like he did last season against the Nationals, then that ERA could continue to drop.

In two starts against Washington last year, the right-hander went 2-0 with a 0.66 ERA and 0.73 WHIP. He allowed just one run in 13 2/3 innings. He also had 13 strikeouts.

Lynn will be facing off against Nationals starting pitcher Gio Gonzalez. Baseball fans could be in for a pitcher's duel, as Gonzalez has a 1.17 ERA in three starts against the Cardinals since 2012.

The Nationals enter play Tuesday with 53 runs, which equals the league average.