MLB Player News

Dodgers pitcher Zack Greinke took a step back in a no-decision to the Cubs in Chicago on Thursday. He coughed up four runs on nine hits and one walk while striking out five over five innings of work.

Over his last three starts covering 17 innings, Greinke has allowed six earned runs. He owns a 2.76 ERA and a 1.17 WHIP over 30 starts (189 1/3 innings). He will look to bounce back Tuesday at home against San Francisco.

Pirates pitcher Gerrit Cole turned in a solid outing in a win over the Red Sox Thursday night, improving to 10-5 on the year. He allowed two runs on six hits and no walks while striking out seven over seven innings of a 3-2 victory.

Cole has won each of his last three starts. Over that 19-inning stretch, he has allowed eight earned runs. He owns a 3.85 ERA and a 1.27 WHIP over 20 starts (124 innings). His next start will come Tuesday at Atlanta.

Phillies pitcher Cole Hamels earned a win Wednesday, allowing one earned run on seven hits and one walk in seven innings while striking out nine in his team's 5-2 victory over the Padres.

Hamels (9-7) gave up just one run for the second straight start, and he's turned in 11 quality starts in 12 tries in the second half, with the only "off" day resulting in a five-inning, three-run win. He owns an excellent 2.47 ERA, 1.18 WHIP and 187:57 K:BB ratio in 189 2/3 innings. Hamels is scheduled to face the Marlins Tuesday.

Cardinals pitcher Adam Wainwright shined in a complete-game shutout Wednesday, giving up just seven hits and two walks in nine scoreless innings while striking out seven in his team's 2-0 victory over the Brewers.

Wainwright (19-9) moved into a share of the major-league lead in wins with the gem, tossing just 102 pitches in his nine innings of work. It's his fifth complete game and third shutout of the year. Wainwright owns a 2.45 ERA, 1.05 WHIP and 171:49 K:BB ratio in 220 innings. He's slated to take on the Cubs Monday.

Cubs pitcher Kyle Hendricks earned a win Wednesday, allowing just one earned run on seven hits in seven innings and striking out four in his team's 3-1 victory over the Reds.

Hendricks (7-2) surrendered a run on a groundout in the first inning but was able to bounce back and throw six scoreless innings before exiting after just 80 pitches. It was his first quality start in three September tries. Hendricks owns a 2.28 ERA, 1.08 WHIP and 43:14 K:BB ratio in 75 innings. He's scheduled to face the Cardinals next Wednesday.

Marlins pitcher Henderson Alvarez earned a win Wednesday, giving up two earned runs on eight hits and two walks in six innings while striking out four in his team's 4-3 victory over the Mets.

Alvarez (11-6) was staked to a three-run lead early and was able to hold the Mets to a pair of runs on a bases-loaded single in the fifth inning. While his strikeouts have been somewhat lacking all season, the starter still owns a 2.82 ERA, 1.24 WHIP and 106:32 K:BB ratio in 172 1/3 innings. He's scheduled to face the Phillies Tuesday.

Braves pitcher Alex Wood earned a win Wednesday, allowing just one earned run on five hits and one walk in six innings and striking out eight in his team's 3-1 victory over the Nationals.

Wood (11-10) turned in his 10th straight quality start Wednesday, with the only damage coming on a solo home run in the fifth inning. He's racked up eight strikeouts or more in three of his last four outings. Wood owns a 2.78 ERA, 1.13 WHIP and 164:43 K:BB ratio in 165 innings. He's scheduled to face the Pirates Tuesday.

Cardinals pitcher Michael Wacha is scheduled to start Saturday's game against the Reds, MLB.com reports.

Wacha was scratched from his previously scheduled start last Saturday, with his manager indicating that the pitcher didn't look right after missing three months with shoulder issues. Wacha owns a 3.14 ERA, 1.17 WHIP and 89:30 K:BB ratio in 97 1/3 innings.

Diamondbacks right-hander Chase Anderson will be shut down after his Friday start in Colorado, per azcentralsports.com.

Anderson has been impressive recently with five earned runs allowed in his last 17 innings pitched covering three starts. He is 9-6 with a 3.70 ERA on the season with 100 strikeouts in 109 1/3 innings.

Cardinals pitcher Lance Lynn didn't factor into the decision Tuesday, giving up just one earned run on five hits and one walk in seven innings and striking out five in his team's 3-2, 12-inning loss to the Brewers.

Lynn watched the offense score two runs in the bottom of the first inning and was able to maintain the lead throughout the game despite serving up a solo home run in the fourth inning, but the bullpen blew his lead in the ninth inning to deny him a win. He's now allowed exactly one earned run in three straight starts. Lynn owns a 2.68 ERA and 167:69 K:BB ratio in 191 2/3 innings. He's scheduled to face the Cubs Monday.