MLB Player News

Mets starter Zack Wheeler gave up five runs -- three earned -- in six innings Sunday, taking the loss in a 6-3 defeat to the Nationals. Wheeler (1-4) struck out five and walked two while allowing six hits.

It was a big improvement in control for Wheeler, who had walked 11 batters in his previous two starts. Wheeler has not won since April 14, and his ERA stands at 4.53. He'll face the Diamondbacks on Saturday.

Pirates pitcher Charlie Morton is still winless after Sunday's start against the Yankees.

Morton ran into trouble early in the game. After loading the bases in the first, Morton allowed two straight singles, scoring three runs. He was tagged for an additional run in the second inning when Brett Gardner doubled. 

Following the second, Morton settled in. He was able to get through the next five innings without giving up a run. Morton only gave up one hit during the last five innings of the start. The damage was already done, however, and Morton dropped to 0-6 with the loss.

Morton gave up four earned runs on six hits over seven innings. He walked one and struck out six. Morton's next start will come against the Nationals.

Dodgers manager Don Mattingly told reporters Sunday starting pitcher Hyun-Jin Ryu will rejoin the rotation Wednesday against the Mets, bumping Paul Maholm to the bullpen. Ryu has been on the disabled list since early May due to shoulder inflammation.

Diamondbacks starting pitcher Chase Anderson won his second start in a row to open his career Saturday against the Dodgers, but he needed plenty of help.

After allowing just one run in his first start, Anderson was much less sharp this time around. The Dodgers jumped on him for five runs in 5 1/3 innings if work, on seven hits and two walks. Anderson struck out two batters  and was never really in trouble despite his struggles, as the Diamondbacks won, 18-7.

Anderson has one good and one bad start under his belt, and now we get to see how the 26-year-old responds to adversity. His next start is set for Friday against the Mets.  

Dodgers starting pitcher Clayton Kershaw struggled through his second shortest outing as a major leaguer Saturday, in an 18-7 loss to the Diamondbacks.

Kershaw labored through less than two innings of work, as he needed 50 pitches to record five outs. He was tagged for seven runs on six hits in 1 2/3 innings of work, while walking two batters and striking out three before he was chased.

After the game, Mattingly assured the Los Angeles Times that no physical issue caused Kershaw's early exit. He took his first loss of the season to fall to 2-1, while his ERA ballooned to 4.43. He will try to get back on track in his next outing, set for Friday against the Phillies. 

Rockies starting pitcher Jordan Lyles came undone Saturday, in an 8-5 loss to the Padres.

Lyles, who had walked more than two batters just one in his first eight starts, issued six free passes in just three-plus innings of work. He was charged with six runs on five hits, while striking out three batters on 92 pitches in 3 1/3 innings of work.

Lyles took his first loss of the season, dropping his record to 5-1. He now has 10 walks over his last two starts, equaling his total from the first seven. Lyles has a 3.50 ERA heading into his next start, Friday in Atlanta. 

Phillies starting pitcher Cole Hamels was even better than his last outing Saturday, in a 12-1 win over the Reds.

Hamels dominated the Reds, allowing one run over seven innings of work for the second start in a row. He got some help this time, and cruised to his first win of the season. Hamels struck out 10 batters and walked just two, while allowing one run on three hits.

Hamels started off his season poorly after returning from a shoulder injury, but is at the top of his game right now. He has 20 strikeouts over his last two starts, while lowering his ERA to 4.40 and improving his record to 1-2. He will try to get back to .500 with his next start, set for Thursday in Miami.  

Braves reliever Alex Wood could start again this year, according to MLB.com.

"It's one of those things that it's kind of what's best for us right now," Wood said. "With [Jordan Walden] banged up, they need a little help in the 'pen." Wood added that he doesn't have a problem with his current role.

Manager Fredi Gonzalez seemed to indicate that Wood would eventually move back to the rotation. "Sooner or later somebody is going to need a breather and you plug him right back in there," Gonzalez said. While the move fits the team's immediate needs, Wood could slot right back in once things change. 

Through 49 2/3 innings, Wood has a 3.26 ERA. 

Marlins starting pitcher Henderson Alvarez was hit hard Friday, but pitched his way into a no-decision in a 7-5 win over the Padres.

Alvarez lasted six inning, but had trouble fooling the Giants throughout the start. He gave up 10 hits, five of which went for extra- bases, and was charged with five runs -- four earned in his six innings. He also struck out four and walked no batters on 84 pitches in the no-decision.

Alvarez is now winless in his last two starts, allowing nine runs in 10 innings during that span. He is 2-3 with a 3.62 ERA on the season heading into his next start, Thursday against the Phillies. 

Diamondbacks starting pitcher Wade Miley fell back below .500 Friday, in a 7-0 loss to the Dodgers.

Miley lasted six innings in the outing, and was hurt by the longball. He missed out on a quality start thanks to a solo home run in the sixth inning by Scott Van Slyke, the second allowed in the game. He was charged with four runs on seven hits, while walking three and striking out three batters.

Miley took the loss for the Diamondbacks, dropping his record to 3-4 on the season. He carries a 4.94 ERA through 10 starts, heading into his next scheduled start Wednesday in St. Louis.