MLB Player News

Pirates starting pitcher Gerrit Cole fell to .500 on the season Tuesday, in a 5-2 loss to the Brewers.

Cole fell one out shy of a quality start, as the Brewers chased him in the sixth. He allowed three runs on seven hits in his 5 2/3 innings of work, while walking three batters and striking out six. The 23-year-old threw 64 of 105 pitches for strikes in the loss.

Cole has had an up-and-down second season in the majors, and is now 3-3 with a 3.76 ERA in eight starts. His next start is set for Sunday against the Yankees. 

The Marlins announced pitching prospect Anthony DeSclafani will take Jose Fernandez's turn in the rotation for Wednesday's start against the Dodgers.

DeSclafani has been pitching for the Marlins' Double-A affiliate in Jacksonville this season, posting a 4.19 ERA with 38 strikeouts and 10 walks in 43 innings of work. The 24-year-old will make his major-league debut when he takes the mound for the first time. 

Dodgers starting pitcher Hyun-Jin Ryu was able to throw more than 40 pitches off a mound Tuesday, his first significant step in recovering from a shoulder injury.  

Ryu was able to throw all of his pitches without issue during the session, a good sign as he ramps up his activity level. Ryu's next step will be determined based on his he feels Wednesday, though he likely needs some more work before he returns from the disabled list. Manager Don Mattingly told TrueBlueLA.com Ryu could toss a rehab start or even a simulated game next. 

The Phillies announced Tuesday starting pitcher Kyle Kendrick and Cole Hamels have been moved up in the rotation. Kendrick will start Friday's series opener vs. Cincinnati, while Hamels will pitch Saturday.

The change in pitching plans means Roberto Hernandez will be skipped in the rotation and might not rejoin the rotation until May 24 vs. L.A. Dodgers, which is the next time the team will need a fifth starter.

Nationals starter Stephen Strasburg, who faces the Diamondbacks in Arizona on Tuesday, has been awful in the first inning but dominant after that, reports the Washington Post. Strasburg has a 9.00 ERA in the first inning and a 2.34 ERA from the second inning on. Opponents are batting .425 against him in the first.

The paper said Strasburg relies too heavily on fastballs in the first inning, failing to mix in enough curves and changeups. Strasburg also has been victimized by a high batting average on balls in play (.500) during the first inning.

Strasburg is 3-2 with a 3.42 ERA overall heading into his ninth start.

The Mets brought up pitcher Jacob deGrom from Triple-A Las Vegas Monday, the team announced.

Scratched from his scheduled start with Las Vegas, deGrom takes the place of Gonzalez Germen, who was sent to the disabled list with a viral issue. The prospect is 4-0 with a 2.58 ERA and 29:10 K:BB ratio in 38 1/3 innings over seven starts at Triple-A.

Prospect Jacob deGrom could be added to the Mets' bullpen in the next few days, reports WFAN. He had his start at Triple-A Las Vegas scratched so he can be on standby for a call-up.

Pirates starter Charlie Morton (0-5) was pegged with the loss Sunday night against the Cardinals. The right-hander permitted four runs -- one earned -- on seven hits and one walk while striking out three in six innings of a 6-5 defeat.

Over his last three starts covering 19 1/3 innings, Morton has allowed only three earned runs. He is expected to make his next start Saturday against the Yankees in New York. He is 0-2 with a 4.42 ERA in three starts away from home.

Dodgers starter Clayton Kershaw struck out nine in seven quality innings, but was unable to factor into the decision Sunday afternoon against the Dodgers in Los Angeles. The right-hander permitted three runs on seven hits and no walks in a 7-4 win in extras.

Since returning from the disabled list, Kershaw has allowed only three earned runs in 14 innings pitched. He will look to stay efficient in his next start on Saturday against the Diamondbacks. He allowed one run in 6 1/3 innings on opening day against Arizona in Australia on March 22. 

Marlins starting pitcher Henderson Alvarez, who tossed a complete game his last time out, took a step back on Sunday in San Diego, dropping to 2-3 on the year.

Alvarez gave up a solo home run to Will Venable in the opening frame and four runs in the fourth inning, including a two-run single to Chris Denorfia. He was charged with five runs on seven hits and three walks while striking out two in four innings of a 5-4 defeat.

Over his last three starts away from home covering 16 innings, Alvarez has allowed 10 earned runs. He will look to bounce back from his recent woes on the road in his next start Friday at San Francisco.