MLB Player News

The Cubs have called up pitchers Zac Rosscup and Neil Ramirez Thursday.

In order to make room for both players, the team placed outfielder Justin Ruggiano on the disabled list, and sent Blake Parker to Triple-A. Rosscup has already pitched 1 2/3 scoreless innings with the club this year. Ramirez hasn't been up with the team yet in 2014.

Phillies starting pitcher Cole Hamels did not look particularly rusty at all in his season debut Wednesday, though he took a tough loss as the Phillies fell, 5-2 to the Dodgers.

Hamels allowed two runs in six innings of work, one in the second and one in the fifth, limiting the Dodgers to six hits, four of which were singles. He struck out five and walked just one, while throwing 55 of 86 pitches for strikes.

Hamels showed few lingering issues following his recovery from a shoulder injury, and will likely have his pitch limit lifted in coming starts. His next start is scheduled for Tuesday against the Mets. 

Dodgers starting pitcher Zack Greinke continued his stellar work Wednesday against the Phillies, as he moved to 4-0 in a 5-2 victory.

Greinke limited the Phillies to just two runs on five hits in seven innings of work, and he etched his name into the record books with the start. According to Elias Sports Bureau, this was Greinke's 17th straight start allowing two or fewer earned runs, the longest streak since 1900. He struck out 11 and walked just one en route to the win.

Greinke is 4-0 through five starts, with a 2.45 ERA. He has struck out 40 batters while walking just five in 29 1/3 innings, and will try to keep his strong play up in his next start, Tuesday against the Twins. 

Cardinals starting pitcher Michael Wacha was dominant at times Wednesday against the Mets, but ultimately couldn't corral himself in a 3-2 loss.

Wacha struck out nine batters in his firs three innings of work, and avoided any major damage despite allowing a baserunner in each frame. Unfortunately, early warning signs did not go away, and he melted down in the fourth. He was charged with two runs on two hits and three walks in the fourth inning, his final frame of work.

Wacha struck out 10 in four innings, but also threw 93 pitches thanks to five walks and three hits.  He was charged with two runs as he took the loss, dropping his record to 2-2 through five starts.

Wacha has now dropped consecutive decisions, despite allowing just three earned runs in 11 innings of work. He will try to get back on track in his next start, Monday against the Brewers. 

Pirates starting pitcher Charlie Morton cruised through the early innings of his start against the Reds Wednesday, but hit a wall in a 5-2 loss, his third of the season.

Morton had a 2-1 win after three innings of work, and entered the fifth having allowed just one run. Unfortunately, things came apart in the fifth, as the Reds scored three times, which was good enough to drop Morton to 0-3 on the season.

Morton was ultimately charged with four runs -- three earned -- in six innings of work, allowing four hits and five walks. He struck out four batters, while throwing 59 of 108 pitches for strikes.

Morton has pitched better than his 0-3 record would indicate, but He still has a 4.35 ERA through five starts. He will look to get his first win in his next start, Tuesday in Baltimore.

As expected, Dodgers starting pitcher Clayton Kershaw will begin a minor-league rehab assignment Friday, as he continues to recover from a back injury.

Kershaw is expected to start for Class A Rancho Cucamonga, and will likely throw between 50-55 pitches in his first action, according to the Orange County Register. He will need to make at least one more start beyond that, though it is isn't yet clear just how quickly Kershaw's rehabilitation will move.  

The Diamondbacks didn't explode until well after starter Wade Miley left the game Wednesday against the Cubs, but the southpaw didn't deserve to win anyway.

Miley gave up five runs, including three earned, in five innings to the weak-hitting Cubs. He surrendered four hits, including a two-run homer to Justin Ruggiano in the sixth that knocked him out of the game. He walked three and struck out seven in raising his earned run average to 4.50.

As expected, the Phillies activated starting pitcher Cole Hamels (shoulder) off the 15-day disabled list to make his season debut Wednesday against the Dodgers.

Hamels went 0-1 with a 2.12 ERA and 0.77 WHIP in three rehab starts for Class A Clearwater. He struck out 12 and walked one in 17 innings.

Marlins starting pitcher Nate Eovaldi took a third straight no-decision Wednesday at Atlanta. Though, he did pitch well enough for the win.

The right-handed hurler allowed one unearned run on five hits and one walk, while striking out seven in six innings. Unfortunately, opposing pitcher Aaron Harang was equally as impressive, allowing one run and striking out 11 in six innings.

Eovaldi ran into a little trouble in the first inning, allowing a leadoff single and a one-out walk to Freddie Freeman, but he escaped the jam unscathed.

The Braves got their only run against Eovaldi in the fourth inning. Ryan Doumit had an RBI single after Chris Johnson reached on an error and moved up to second base on a wild pitch.

Eovaldi was in line for the loss until Miami tied the game in the sixth inning. He's allowed just one earned run in his last two starts. Eovaldi will make his next start Wednesday in a rematch with the Braves.

Cardinals manager Mike Matheny said starting pitcher Adam Wainwright passed strength and mobility tests after leaving Tuesday's start against the Mets with a hyperextended right knee, per FOX Sports Midwest.

"He may be sore for a day or two but we'll find out more (Wednesday)," Matheny said.

Wainwright said he expects to make his next scheduled start Sunday against the Pirates.

"At first you get a little scared, but as I started walking off the field I knew I hadn't done anything wrong," Wainwright told reporters. "All is good."