MLB Player News

According to a report from FOX Sports' Ken Rosenthal, the Athletics have acquired pitchers Jeff Samardzija and Jason Hammel from the Cubs for shortstop prospect Addison Russell. 

Billy McKinney, pitcher Dan Straily and a player to be named later.

Hammel tossed a quality start in a win over Nationals Friday and Samardzija was scheduled to pitch Sunday for the Cubs before the deal. Samardzija is 2-7 with a 2.83 ERA over 17 starts (108 innings). Hammel is 8-5 with a 2.98 ERA and a 1.02 WHIP over 17 starts (108 2/3 innings).

Cardinals pitcher Lance Lynn dominated the Marlins on Friday, scattering only five hits over 6 2/3 scoreless frames to improve to 9-6 on the year. The right-hander also struck out six and walked three in 112 pitches, 67 for strikes.

Lynn has not permitted an earned run in three of his last five starts. He owns a 3.17 ERA and a 1.31 WHIP over 18 starts (108 innings). He will look to keep rolling Wednesday at home against Pittsburgh.

Marlins pitcher Nate Eovaldi put together another solid outing, but was pegged with the loss Friday night in St. Louis. The right-hander surrendered three runs on six hits and two walks while striking out two over six innings of a 3-2 defeat.

Over his last seven starts covering 45 2/3 innings, Eovaldi has allowed 22 earned runs. He has just one win over that span. Eovaldi will look to get back on track Wednesday against the Diamondbacks in Arizona.

The Cubs have engaged in serious talks with the Athletics on a potential deal involving pitchers Jeff Samardzija and Jason Hammel, FOX Sports reports Friday.

The Cubs have been unable to lock Samardzija down with an extension and are listening to offers leading up to the July 31 trade deadline. Samardzija is 2-7 with a 2.83 ERA over 17 starts (108 innings). Hammel is 8-5 with a 2.98 ERA and a 1.02 WHIP over 17 starts (108 2/3 innings).

Pirates pitcher Gerrit Cole was lifted after just 80 pitches Friday against the Phillies, due to soreness in his lat.

Cole made it through five pristine innings, allowing just one hit and one walk while twirling a shutout. He struck out five batters as well, before leaving due to the injury.

The extent of the issue is not yet known, which obviously puts Cole's status for Wednesday's start in St. Louis in doubt.  

Cardinals pitcher Michael Wacha will undergo a follow-up MRI Monday, the team announced. 

Wacha was placed on the disabled list last week due to a stress reaction in his right shoulder, and the MRI is to determine the extent of the healing so far. Wacha has been going through shoulder strengthening exercises since he last pitched June 17.

Monday's MRI may give the team a timetable for Wacha's return to action, and he told STLToday.com he already feels stronger thanks to rest. 

The Rockies have demoted right-hander Rob Scahill to Triple-A Colorado Springs two weeks after promoting him.

Scahill struggled in three appearances with Colorado. He gave up four earned runs in 5 1/3 innings and walked four.

Cubs starter Jason Hammel expressed disappointment Friday after being limited to 92 pitches and six innings in a win at Washington.

"I would have liked to have stayed out there for the seventh," he told the Chicago Tribune. "I have no idea why I came out of the game."

The reason could be that the team wants to save him to make him more attractive to possible trade suitors. Hammel is considered to be prime trade bait as the deadline approaches.

Cubs right-hander Jason Hammel won his second straight start Friday after two losses and two no-decisions. He shut down host Washington on two runs in six innings before being removed after throwing just 92 pitches.

Hammel yielded a home run to Jayson Werth in the first inning before settling down. He finished having surrendered five hits with two walks and seven strikeouts as he raised his record to 7-5. He will try to make it 8-5 in Cincinnati on Wednesday.

Dodgers pitcher Zack Greinke earned his second win in a row Thursday, as the offense rallied late in a 3-2 win over the Rockies.

Greinke tossed eight strong innings in the start, though he actually faltered late and looked like he might not get the win. He allowed one run in the eighth inning to tie the game, 2-2, but the Dodgers offense went back up in the ninth to get him the win.

Greinke allowed two runs -- one earned -- on nine hits in the outing. He struck out eight batters and walked two in his eight innings of work, while throwing 107 pitches.

Greinke is now 11-4 on the season, while he lowered his ERA to 2.66. He ranks seventh in the National League in ERA heading into his next start, set for Wednesday in Detroit.