MLB Player News

Padres pitcher Odrisamer Despaigne picked up his second straight win Sunday, giving up one earned run on five hits and four walks in 6 2/3 innings while striking out two in his team's 2-1 victory over the Diamondbacks.

Despaigne (2-0) has shown a knack for keeping the opposition off the scoreboard in his first two outings despite not displaying overpowering stuff. The only run he surrendered Sunday came on a first-inning single. Despaigne owns a 0.66 ERA but also a 3:4 K:BB ratio in 13 2/3 innings over his first two starts. He's not scheduled to make another start but could be called upon soon after winning his first two.

Dodgers pitcher Clayton Kershaw turned in another brilliant performance Sunday, giving up five hits and two walks in seven scoreless innings while striking out 13 in his team's 6-0 victory over the Cardinals.

Kershaw (9-2) has won six straight starts, but he's been particulary excellent over his last three, tossing 24 scoreless innings while racking up 36 strikeouts in a run started by his no-hitter on June 18. He owns a 2.04 ERA and 107:11 K:BB ratio in 79 1/3 innings. Kershaw will look to keep rolling Friday in Colorado.

The Phillies announced Sunday they optioned pitcher Luis Garcia to Triple-A Lehigh Valley. The team also recalled infielder Andres Blanco from Triple-A, and to clear a spot on the 40-man roster pitcher Sean O'Sullivan was designated for assignment.

Phillies pitcher Sean O'Sullivan tossed the ball well in his spot start Saturday, but faltered late in a 5-1 loss to the Braves.

O'Sullivan allowed just one run in his first five innings of work, and was more than holding his own before running out of steam in the sixth. He was ultimately charged with four runs on eight hits in 5 2/3 innings. O'Sullivan struck out three batters on 89 pitches in the loss.

O'Sullivan is likely to make just the one start, though he could be staying with the team, as he was not added as the 26th man for the doubleheader.  

Cardinals pitcher Lance Lynn was dealing with a blister on the middle finger of his pitching hand Saturday, which he told MLB.com impacted his performance in a 9-1 loss to the Dodgers.

Lynn lasted just two innings in the game, after giving up seven runs -- six earned. Though he said the blister affected his ability to toss offspeed pitches, there is no indication this is serious enough to put Lynn's next start in jeopardy.

Lynn is scheduled to take on the Marlins next Friday, but the team might keep an extra eye on him during between-start work. 

Cardinals pitcher Lance Lynn didn't last long Saturday against the Dodgers, as he was chased after just two innings in a 9-1 loss.

Lynn got through the first inning allowing one run, but the wheels came off in the second. The Dodgers jumped on him for six runs in the second, leaving him charged with six earned runs on nine hits and a pair of walks in two innings. Lynn also struck out two batters while throwing 61 pitches in the loss.

Lynn has now dropped four of his last six decisions to fall to 8-6 on the season. He carries a 3.38 ERA into his next outing, set for Friday against Miami. 

Dodgers pitcher Zack Greinke bounced back from his worst start of the season in a 9-1 win over the Cardinals Saturday.

Greinke tossed seven strong innings in the game, and took advantage of strong run support to cruise through the game. He allowed just one run on a solo home run, while scattering four hits over seven innings and recording 10 strikeouts on 104 pitches in the win.

Greinke improved his record to 10-4, while lowering his ERA to 2.78, good for seventh in the National League. His next start is set for Thursday in Colorado.  

The Marlins optioned pitcher Anthony DeSclafani to Triple-A New Orleans Saturday, one night after he exited a game after three innings.

DeSclafani took a line drive off his right forearm during Friday's start, but the injury must not be a concern, given the option. He allowed 13 runs in 13 innings in three starts with the Marlins. 

Marlins pitcher Nate Eovaldi worked seven innings without his best stuff Saturday, in a 7-6 extra-innings loss to the Athletics.

Eovaldi looked like he might not last too long early, as the A's jumped on him for four runs in the first inning. He settled down from that big first inning and ended up leaving with the game tied, after allowing five runs in seven innings. He gave up eight hits and three walks in the game, while striking out three batters on 113 pitches in the no-decision.

Eovaldi had a 2.58 ERA in the month of April, but has come back to Earth since. He finished June with a 4.31 ERA, and is now 5-3 with a 3.71 ERA for the season. Eovaldi's next turn in the rotation is set for Friday in St. Louis. 

Pirates pitcher Gerrit Cole looked rusty in his first start in over three weeks Saturday against the Mets, as he made is return from a shoulder injury.

Cole lasted just four innings the outing, as he threw 57 of 93 pitches for strikes. He was charged with five runs, all of which came during his first two innings of work. Cole allowed seven hits and walked four batters, while striking out four in the 5-3 loss.

Cole's ERA rose to 4.02 Saturday, the highest it has been since his third start of the season. His record fell to 6-4 with the loss, and he will try to get back on track when he takes on the Phillies next Saturday.