MLB Player News

Cardinals running back Justin Masterson had a tough start Monday against the Reds.

Masterson allowed four runs on five hits over five innings of work. He struck out five and walked two. Masterson performed well early, going four scoreless innings to open the game. Things fell apart in the fifth. Masterson led off the inning giving up two straight doubles and a walk. He was able to get a groundout at that point, but surrendered a three-run blast to Jay Bruce in the next at-bat. Masterson threw 90 pitches during the start.

The Cardinals managed to battle back, giving Masterson a no-decision. He’ll take on the Phillies in his next start. 

Pirates pitcher Vance Worley was knocked around Monday against the Braves.

Worley allowed six runs, five earned, on nine hits over six innings of work. He struck out eight and walked two. The Braves wasted no time getting to Worley. Jason Heyward and Andrelton Simmons led off the game with back-to-back home runs, putting Worley down by two immediately. It would only get worse from there. A walk and two singles brought in the next run. Worley was able to get a strikeout for the first out of the game, but followed that up with another run-scoring single and a walk. A force out and an error led to the other two runs coming home. Worley would settle in and throw five scoreless innings, but the damage had already been done.

With the loss, Worley dropped to 5-3. He’ll take on the Brewers in his next start. 

Cubs starting pitcher Kyle Hendricks held the Mets to one run in seven innings during a 4-1 win Monday. He allowed three hits and two walks, while striking out three on his way to a fourth straight victory.

Hendricks (5-1) allowed a pair of singles in the first three innings before Lucas Duda launched a solo home run with one out in the fourth inning. It was just the third home run in seven starts the rookie has allowed.

Despite falling behind, Hendricks bounced back and was still in line for the decision when Anthony Rizzo gave Chicago a 2-1 lead in the eighth inning. He's won five of seven starts since his promotion from the minors. Hendricks is also the first Cubs' rookie with six consecutive quality starts since Kerry Wood, who had two streaks of seven quality starts in 1998, according to The Chicago Tribune.

Hendricks is expected to make his next start Saturday against the Orioles. He is 2-1 with a 0.44 ERA in his first three starts at Wrigley Field.

Rockies pitcher Jordan Lyles wasn't a factor in the decision in the first game of a doubleheader Sunday against the Reds, allowing five runs on five hits and two walks while striking out four over five innings of a 10-9 victory.

Over his last three starts covering 16 1/3 innings, Lyles has allowed 11 earned runs. He owns a 4.01 ERA and a 1.30 WHIP over 15 starts (85 1/3 innings). He will make his next start Saturday at home against Miami.

Cardinals pitcher Adam Wainwright bounced back with the win Sunday afternoon at home against the Padres, improving to 15-7 on the year. The right-hander yielded four runs -- three earned -- on seven hits and one walk while striking out five over seven innings of work.

Over his last three starts covering 21 innings, Wainwright has allowed eight earned runs. He owns a 2.40 ERA and a 1.03 WHIP over 25 starts (176 innings). He will make his next start Saturday at Philadelphia.

Padres pitcher Odrisamer Despaigne was roughed up for the loss Sunday against the Cardinals in St. Louis, dropping to 3-4 on the year.The right-hander coughed up five runs on six hits and one walk while striking out one over four innings of a 7-6 defeat.

Despaigne has allowed four-plus runs in three of his last four starts. He owns a 3.28 ERA and a 1.28 WHIP over 10 starts (60 1/3 innings). He will make his next start Saturday at Arizona.

The Pirates confirmed Sunday starting pitcher Gerrit Cole (lat) will make his return to the rotation Wednesday against the Braves, according to the Pittsburgh Tribune-Review. Cole takes the rotation spot of Charlie Morton, who was placed on the disabled list Sunday with a hip injury.

Mets starting pitcher Jacob deGrom said his injured shoulder was fine after throwing a 20-pitch bullpen session Sunday, according to ESPN. deGrom is expected to have a more intense bullpen session later this week, as he gears up for a potential return from the disabled list next weekend against the Dodgers.

"We were just seeing how it felt," deGrom said about Sunday's session. "I threw changeups when I was playing catch, and those felt fine. Either Tuesday or Wednesday I'll throw everything." 

The Pirates placed starting pitcher Charlie Morton on the 15-day disabled list Sunday with right hip inflammation. Gerrit Cole, who is ready to come off the disabled list, will likely take Morton's spot in the rotation.

The Cardinals recalled pitcher Carlos Martinez from Triple-A Memphis Sunday. Martinez made two starts for Memphis following an early August demotion, tossing 10 1/3 scoreless innings and striking out seven.