MLB Player News

Cardinals starting pitcher Michael Wacha, who was scratched from Saturday's start because he didn't feel right, threw about 30 pitches in a bullpen session Sunday and felt great, according to Fox Sports Midwest. He still hopes to return to the rotation before season's end, but manager Mike Matheny isn't so sure.

"This is a young player where we had something going, missed a couple of months and all those are reasons for us to once again pause and just kind of take our time, make sure everything looks right before moving forward," Matheny said.

Wacha has made two starts in September after missing all of July and August with a stress fracture in his right shoulder.

Padres pitcher Odrisamer Despaigne struggled yet again Sunday, in an 8-6 loss to the Diamondbacks.

Despaigne didn't get much help from the defense, as he allowed five runs -- three earned -- in 5 2/3 innings. He scattered six hits and three walks in the outing, while striking out two batters on 92 pitches.

Despaigne has allowed nine runs in 10 innings over his last two starts, raising his ERA to 3.63. He carries a six-start winless streak into his next outing, set for Friday against the Giants.  

Dodgers stud lefty Clayton Kershaw placed himself on the doorstep of his second 20-win season Sunday with another fine performance, this time in San Francisco.

Kershaw raised his record to a ridiculous 19-3 and lowered his ERA to an eye-popping 1.70 by surrendering just two runs on seven hits in eight innings to the Giants. He walked one and struck out nine. He was hurt only by RBI singles off the bats of sizzling Buster Posey and Matt Duffy.

The ace of the league will shoot for his 20th win Friday against the Cubs.

Rockies pitcher Jordan Lyles allowed three runs in Sunday's 4-1 loss to the Cardinals, all in the third inning. The big blow was Jhonny Peralta's two-run homer, while followed Matt Holliday's run-scoring double.

Lyles (6-3) gave up nine hits and two walks in his six innings of work, striking out four. He'll face the Diamondbacks on Friday looking for his first win since Aug. 6.

MLB.com reports that Charlie Morton is scheduled to start for the Pirates against the Red Sox on Tuesday, marking his return from a sports hernia. Morton has not made an appearance since his Aug. 15 start at the Nationals.

He will take Vance Worley's spot in the rotation, as Worley will move to the bullpen.

Dodgers pitcher Zack Greinke helped his cause at the plate and dominated the Giants in San Francisco on Saturday, scattering four hits over six scoreless frames to improve to a 15-8 on the year.

Greinke launched a two-run home run in the sixth inning. He struck out five and did not issue a walk in a 17-0 victory. Of his 84 pitches, 54 were strikes. Over his last three starts covering 20 innings, Greinke gas allowed three earned runs. He will make his next start Thursday in Chicago against the Cubs.

Diamondbacks pitcher Chase Anderson looked sharp in a win over the Padres at home Saturday night, improving to 9-6 on the year. He allowed two runs on four hits and three walks while striking out five over five innings of a 10-4 victory.

Over his last three starts covering 17 innings, Anderson has allowed five earned runs. He owns a 3.70 ERA and a 1.34 WHIP over 20 starts (109 1/3 innings). He will make his next start Friday at Colorado.

Mets starting pitcher Zack Wheeler got clobbered Saturday night at home against the Nationals, dropping to 10-10 on the season. He was shelled for six runs on seven hits and two walks while striking out four over four innings of work.

Over his last three starts covering 14 2/3 innings, Wheeler has allowed nine earned runs. He owns a 3.61 ERA and a 1.33 WHIP over 30 starts (174 1/3 innings). His next start will come Friday at Atlanta.

Dodgers pitcher Hyun-Jin Ryu visited Dr. Neal ElAttrache on Saturday and is scheduled to undergo an MRI on his injured shoulder on Monday in Los Angeles, MLB.com reports.

Ryu left Friday's start with left shoulder irritation. If he's not ready for his next turn, which seems unlikely at this point, the team will roll with Carlos Frias on Thursday.

Braves pitcher Julio Teheran picked up a complete-game loss Saturday, giving up three unearned runs on three hits and one walk in eight innings while striking out six in his team's 3-2 defeat against the Rangers.

Teheran (13-12) took a no-hitter into the sixth inning but saw the frame extended by an error with two outs, and the Rangers pushed three runs across the late in that same inning to take the lead. Teheran owns a 2.89 ERA, 1.07 WHIP and 174:48 K:BB ratio in 209 innings. He's scheduled to face the Mets Friday.