MLB Player News

The Cubs optioned pitcher Neil Ramirez back to Triple-A Iowa Saturday, in order to make room on the active roster for Blake Parker's recall.

Ramirez post an 0.96 ERA in 28 innings for the Cubs, with 36 strikeouts and 10 walks on the season. 

Dodgers pitcher Zack Greinke recorded a rare feat while picking up his 12th win of the season Friday night against the Giants in San Francisco. He became the fifth pitcher in franchise history to record four strikeouts in an inning.

Greinke struck out Hector Sanchez swinging and Tim Lincecum looking. He struck out Hunter Pence swinging, but the pitch was low and got past A.J. Ellis, as he reached safely at first. Finally, Greinke struck out Gregor Blanco. The pitch was low and got past Ellis, but the catcher was able to throw Blanco out in time at first base.

Greinke allowed four hits and one walk while striking out 10 in seven shutout frames in an 8-1 victory. Of his 106 pitches, 65 were strikes.

Greinke has recorded double-digit strikeouts four times this season. He owns a 2.74 ERA and a 1.18 WHIP over 21 starts. His next start will come Thursday at home against Atlanta.

Pirates pitcher Charlie Morton couldn’t pick up a quality start Friday against the Rockies.

Morton allowed four runs on seven hits over six innings. He struck out three and walked one during the outing. Morton was solid throughout most of the game. Other than a run-scoring double in the third inning, Morton has solid until his final inning of work. Morton came in to pitch in the seventh inning, and immediately ran into trouble. He allowed two doubles to open the frame, and followed that up with a single. At that point, Morton was pulled from the game. After he left, both of his inherited runners came around to score. 

With the loss, Morton dropped to 5-10 on the year. His next start will come against the Giants.

Braves pitcher Alex Wood took a step backward Friday night against the Padres, dropping to 7-8 on the season. The right-hander permitted five runs -- four earned -- on 12 hits and one walk while striking out four over five innings of a 5-2 defeat.

Over his last three starts covering 16 1/3 innings, Wood has allowed nine earned runs. He owns a 3.44 ERA and a 1.23 WHIP over 96 2/3 innings of work. His next start will come Wednesday against the Dodgers in Los Angeles.

Mets pitcher Zack Wheeler put together a quality start in a no-decision Friday night against the Brewers in Milwaukee. The right-hander gave up two runs -- one earned -- on three hits and two walks while striking out nine over 6 2/3 innings of a 3-2 victory.

Over his last five starts covering 32 innings, Wheeler has permitted only five earned runs. He owns a 3.64 ERA and a 1.33 WHIP over 21 starts (121 innings). His next start will come Wednesday at home against Philadelphia.

Diamondbacks pitcher Wade Miley had a rough start Friday against the Phillies. 

Miley gave up six runs, five earned, on eight hits over five innings. Miley worked himself into trouble almost immediately. After loading the bases, Miley walked in a run. Another run scored on a groundout, putting Miley behind 2-0. The following inning, Chase Utley drove in another run. Miley also gave up two runs in the third. After getting through a scoreless fourth inning, Miley gave up his final run in the fifth inning.

With the loss, Miley dropped to 6-7 on the year. His next start will come against the Reds.

Pirates manager Clint Hurdle told reporters that starting pitcher Gerrit Cole will start a minor-league rehab assignment Monday with Triple-A Indianapolis. Cole will be limited to approximately 80-85 pitches, according to the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette.

Rockies pitcher Christian Bergman is expected to begin a minor-league rehab assignment Tuesday for Double-A Tulsa, the team announced. Bergman is working his way back from a hand injury, and is not eligible to return until August 20

The Marlins optioned pitcher Anthony DeSclafani to Triple-A New Orleans Friday, to open up a spot on the active roster.

DeSclafani was recalled from Triple-A New Orleans last week, but did not appear in any games. He was simply called up to provide a fresh arm in the bullpen, and will likely return to New Orleans' rotation. 

DeSclafani has a 2.82 ERA in 38 1/3 innings at Triple-A, but allowed 20 runs in 24 1/3 innings over five starts with the Marlins.  

Marlins pitcher Henderson Alvarez tossed eight strong innings Thursday against the Braves.

Alvarez allowed two runs on six hits over eight innings of work. He struck out four and walked one. The Braves struck early against Alvarez, hitting a two-run homer in the second inning. Alvarez settled in at that point, tossing three more innings of scoreless ball. Alvarez threw 101 pitches during the outing. 

Alvarez was matched by Aaron Harang throughout the start. He nearly earned a no-decision, but the Marlins managed to scratch a run across in the top of the ninth inning, giving Alvarez the win. He improved to 7-5 on the year. Alvarez’s next start will come against Nationals.