MLB Player News

Cardinals pitcher Michael Wacha has been cleared to begin throwing, after an MRI taken on his right shoulder showed considerable signs of healing since he was shut down.

Wacha had the MRI taken Monday, and is scheduled for a follow-up in two weeks to determine how his shoulder is responding to the increase in activity. Wacha has been sidelined since June 17 due to a stress reaction in the right shoulder, and general manager John Mozeliak told the St. Louis Post-Dispatch he thinks Wacha might be able to pitch again this year.

"At the end of the day, it's whether you do or you don't," said Mozeliak. "But 'optimism' is a fair word right now."

Dodgers pitcher Zack Greinke took a step back Monday night at home against the Angels, dropping to 12-7 on the year. The right-hander permitted five runs -- three earned -- on six hits and no walks while striking out five over seven innings of work.

Over his last three starts covering 22 innings, Greinke has allowed four earned runs. He owns a 2.71 ERA and a 1.14 WHIP over 23 starts (146 1/3 innings). He will look to get back on track Saturday in Milwaukee.

Athletics starting pitcher Jason Hammel and Diamondbacks starting pitcher Wade Miley were placed on revocable trade waivers Monday, according to FOX Sports. Miley is not expected to be traded, but most MLB players end up on revocable waivers at some point in August.

The Phillies placed several more players on revocable waivers Monday, including Marlon Byrd, Jonathan Papelbon, Jimmy Rollins, Chase Utley, Cole Hamels and Carlos Ruiz, according to FOX Sports.

Once again, most players go on waivers in August. The players that clear waivers can be traded. The players claimed can be pulled back or traded/awarded to claiming team.

Nationals pitcher Stephen Strasburg earned a win Sunday, surrendering just three hits and one walk in seven scoreless innings and striking out 10 in his team's 4-0 victory over the Phillies.

Strasburg (8-9) had dropped his last three starts heading into Sunday, though he was able to pitch seven innings of one-run ball earlier in the week. It's just the second time this season he's allowed no runs (earned or otherwise) in a start. Strasburg owns a 3.39 ERA and 177:33 K:BB ratio in 151 1/3 innings. He's scheduled to face the Braves Friday.

Phillies pitcher Cole Hamels was saddled with a loss Sunday despite giving up just one unearned run on four hits and one walk in seven innings and striking out six in his team's 4-0 defeat against the Nationals.

Hamels (6-6) was a runner reach first base with one out in the third inning on an error by the third baseman, and that runner would come around to score. Hamels has given up a total of two earned runs in 30 innings over his last four starts. He owns a 2.42 ERA, 1.11 WHIP and 139:40 K:BB ratio in 137 1/3 innings. Hamels is scheduled to face the Mets Saturday.

Pirates assistant general manager Kyle Stark said Sunday the next step in Gerrit Cole's rehab from a lat injury "probably will be announced in the next couple of days," per the Pittsburgh Tribune-Review.

Diamondbacks starter Chase Anderson turned in a quality start in a no-decision Saturday night against the Pirates. The right-hander allowed one run on five hits and one walk while striking out three over six innings of an 8-3 defeat.

Over his last four starts covering 25 innings, Anderson has allowed five earned runs. He owns a 3.19 ERA and a 1.30 WHIP over 13 starts (73 1/3 innings). His next start will come Friday at home against Colorado.

Pirates starter Vance Worley put together a dominant outing in a no-decision Saturday night against the Diamondbacks in Arizona. The right-hander yielded only one run on seven hits and one walk while striking out two over six innings of an 8-3 victory.

Over his last three starts covering 21 innings, Worley has allowed only two earned runs. He owns a 2.43 ERA and a 1.10 WHIP over 55 2/3 innings of work. He will make his next start Friday at home against San Diego.

Newly-acquired Cardinals pitcher Justin Masterson (5-6) was not at his best in his St. Louis debut, but did enough for the win Saturday night against the Brewers. The right-hander yielded five runs on seven hits and three walks while striking out four over six innings of a 9-7 victory.

Masterson has allowed five earned runs in three of his last four starts. He owns a 5.63 ERA and a 1.65 WHIP over 20 starts (104 innings). His next start will come Friday at Baltimore.