MLB Player News

The Cubs will promote pitcher Kyle Hendricks to make his first career start Thursday against the Reds, MLB.com reports.

Hendricks has been solid at Triple-A Iowa this season with a 10-5 mark and 3.59 ERA. He has given up 98 hits in 102 2/3 innings with just 23 walks and 97 strikeout

Cardinals pitcher Adam Wainwright remained dominant Monday night against the Pirates, but was unable to factor into the decision. The right-hander yielded seven hits and three walks while striking out five over seven scoreless innings of a 2-0 victory.

Wainwright has not allowed a run over his last 14 2/3 innings of work. He owns a 1.79 ERA and a 0.92 WHIP over 18 starts (131 innings). He will make his next start Saturday at Milwaukee.

Pirates starting pitcher Charlie Morton twirled a gem, but was not backed by any run support on Monday against the Cardinals, settling for a no-decision. The right-hander yielded one hit and two walks while striking out five over seven scoreless innings.

Over his last three starts covering 20 innings, Morton has allowed only three earned runs. He owns a 3.10 ERA and a 1.18 WHIP over 18 starts (113 1/3 innings). He will make his next start Saturday at Cincinnati.

Phillies pitcher Cole Hamels (3-5) turned in a quality start and snapped his five-start winless streak Monday night against the Brewers in Milwaukee. The right-hander permitted two runs -- one earned -- on seven hits and two walks while striking out seven over 6 2/3 innings of a 3-2 victory.

Hamels owns a 2.87 ERA and a 1.23 WHIP over 15 starts (100 1/3 innings). He will make his next start Saturday at home against Washington.

Nationals pitcher Stephen Strasburg remained dominant on Monday against the Orioles, but was unable to settle for a no-decision. The right-hander permitted two runs on four hits and no walks while striking out nine over seven innings of work.

Over his last two starts covering 14 2/3 innings, Strasburg has allowed only three earned runs. He owns a 3.47 ERA and a 1.21 WHIP over 19 starts (119 1/3 innings). He will make his next start Saturday at Philadelphia.

Cardinals pitcher Michael Wacha underwent an MRI on his injured shoulder, which showed improvement, but it wasn't enough for him to resume a throwing program, MLB.com reports. Wacha is expected to receive two weeks of rest before the team revisits his injury.

Even though Carlos Martinez has yet to throw a "quality start" in four attempts, mostly because he has yet to pitch more than five innings, his ownership percentage continues to rise in Fantasy -- a trend I'm both surprised and encouraged to see.

Because while his performance may not have improved his chances of sticking in the role, other developments within the Cardinals organization have. Specifically, Jaime Garcia's decision to have season-ending surgery on his left shoulder should buy Martinez at least a few more weeks in the role even with Joe Kelly on the verge of returning from a hamstring injury.

Eventually, Michael Wacha will return from a shoulder injury of his own, but he hasn't even begun throwing yet. By the time he's ready to go, someone else may be hurt. Or the Cardinals may choose to send Kelly to the bullpen or Shelby Miller to the minors, depending on how he's throwing. They have options.

Martinez now has an extended chance to make that decision as difficult as it can be. He'll continue to build up his pitching count, eventually getting to the point where he can throw six innings consistently. And once he's stretched out, the Cardinals may not want to shorten him again, especially if he's pitching up to his capabilities.

To me, he's in a similar situation to Kevin Gausman and has that kind of upside, making him worth a flier in all leagues while the job is his.

The Cubs have promoted right-hander Kyle Hendricks with the purpose of placing him in their rotation. They acquired him in the Ryan Dempster deal with Texas in 2012.

Hendricks has been solid at Triple-A Iowa this season with a 10-5 mark and 3.59 ERA. He has given up 98 hits in 102 2/3 innings with just 23 walks and 97 strikeouts.

On Sunday, Major League Baseball revealed the National League starting lineup for the 2014 All-Star Game, which will be held on July 15 at Target Field in Minneapolis.

The following players were selected as starters by the fans:

C Yadier Molina, Cardinals
1B Paul Goldschmidt, Diamondbacks
2B Chase Utley, Phillies
SS Troy Tulowitzki, Rockies
3B Aramis Ramirez, Brewers
OF Andrew McCutchen, Pirates
OF Carlos Gomez, Brewers
OF Yasiel Puig, Dodgers

RHP Johnny Cueto, Reds
LHP Clayton Kershaw, Dodgers
RHP Zack Greinke, Dodgers
LHP Madison Bumgarner, Giants
RHP Adam Wainwright, Cardinals
RHP Tyson Ross, Padres
RHP Jordan Zimmermann, Nationals
RHP Julio Teheran, Braves
RHP Craig Kimbrel, Braves
LHP Aroldis Chapman, Reds
RHP Francisco Rodriguez, Brewers
LHP Tony Watson, Pirates
RHP Pat Neshek, Cardinals

Marlins starting pitcher Henderson Alvarez won for just the second time in nine road starts Sunday at St. Louis. He allowed one run on five hits and one walk in seven innings, while striking out three during an 8-4 win.

Alvarez (6-3) was involved in a pitcher's duel for most of the afternoon before Miami broke open the game with a three-run sixth inning. Alvarez was pitching with a 4-0 lead before St. Louis collected its only run off the right-hander in the seventh inning. It came courtesy of a Kolten Wong home run with one out.

Alvarez has won his last four decisions and hasn't taken a loss since May 11, which is a span of 10 starts. He's allowed two or fewer runs in nine straight starts.

He's scheduled to make his next start Friday at N.Y. Mets. Alvarez is 2-0 with a 0.84 ERA in three starts against New York this season.