MLB Player News

Dodgers starting pitcher Hyun-Jin Ryu was on top of his game yet again Thursday, picking up his third win of the season as the Dodgers defeated the Giants 2-1.

Ryu allowed just four hits in seven scoreless innings of work, his fourth shutout outing in five trips to the mound. He allowed just four singles and a walk in the game, while racking up 12 groundball outs and three strikeouts.

Ryu has just one blemish on his record this season, as all six of his earned runs allowed came in the course of a single start. He carries a 3-1 record and 1.93 ERA into his next start, scheduled for Tuesday against the Phillies. 

Braves left-hander Alex Wood played the role of hard-luck loser in a fine complete-game performance Thursday in Philadelphia.

Wood matched shutout innings with A.J. Burnett until yielding an RBI single to Ben Revere with two out in the eighth. He surrendered eight hits, walked none and fanned seven in lowering his ERA to 1.89. His lone walk kept the eighth inning alive.

He will get a chance to improve his 2-2 record in a Tuesday showdown against Miami stud Jose Fernandez.

Dodgers ace Clayton Kershaw took another step Thursday in his recovery from an upper back injury by throwing 35 pitches, including breaking balls, per MLB.com.

The next step will be throwing to live hitters before a likely rehab stint serves as the precursor to his return to a big league mound in mid-May.

Dodgers pitcher Clayton Kershaw played catch from 100 feet Wednesday after coming out of his bullpen session Tuesday feeling good, MLB.com reports.

Kershaw is set to throw another bullpen session Thursday as he continues to recover from a strained terses muscle in his upper back. He still has no timetable for a return.

Braves pitcher Julio Teheran delivered a complete-game shutout in his team's 1-0 win over the Phillies Wednesday, giving up just three hits in nine innings while striking out four and walking none.

Teheran (2-1) gave up a one-out single in the ninth inning, and the runner stole second during a 3-0 count with two outs, but the Braves pitcher was able to induce a ground ball for the final out. He threw 75 strikes and 115 pitches in the gem. Teheran owns a 1.93 ERA and 13:6 K:BB ratio in 28 innings. He'll face the Marlins Monday in his next start.

Cubs starter Jason Hammel pitched well Wednesday, but not well enough to keep up with Yankees star Masahiro Tanaka.

Hammel surrendered three runs on five hits in seven innings, walking three and struck out five. He has been consistent to start the season, giving up three runs or less in each of his three starts. He also boasts a record of 2-1.

His next start is slated for Monday against Arizona.

Phillies assistant general manager Scott Proefrock said Wednesday it's a "distinct possibility" starting pitcher Cole Hamels (shoulder) makes his season debut next week against the Dodgers. Hamels is slated to make his third rehab start Thursday for Class A Clearwater.

Reds starting pitcher Johnny Cueto was masterful during a 4-0 win Wednesday against the Pirates. Cueto struck out a career-high 12 batters during a complete-game shutout.

Cueto (1-2) threw 71 of 107 pitches for strikes, while allowing just three hits and no walks in his third career shutout. He lowered his ERA to 1.50.

Cueto started the game with a strikeout of Jose Tabata on the way to the first of six 1-2-3 innings. He struck out miltiple batters in the second, fourth, eighth and ninth innings. The only hits he allowed were Tony Sanchez's infield single in the third, Andrew McCutchen's double in the fourth and Jordy Mercer's infield single in the fifth.

The right-handed hurler, who hasn't allowed more than two earned runs in any of his four starts, is scheduled to be back on the hill Tuesday in a rematch with the Pirates.

"Welcome back, Johnny Cueto," manager Bryan Price said. "He's been great his first three starts, and he was dominant today."

Rockies pitcher Juan Nicasio surrendered two earned runs on six hits and one walk in six innings while striking out three in his team's 3-2 win over the Padres Tuesday.

Both runs off Nicasio (2-0) came in the first inning before he settled down and put together five scoreless frames to turn in a quality start. He owns a 3.50 ERA and 15:4 K:BB ratio in 18 innings. The Phillies are next up for Nicasio Sunday.

Pirates pitcher Gerrit Cole didn't have his best stuff Tuesday, giving up five earned runs on nine hits and three walks in six innings while striking out three in his team's 7-5 loss to the Reds.

Cole (2-1) gave up two home runs in the outing, both in a four-run sixth inning and one to opposing pitcher Mike Leake. It was the first poor performance of the season for the young Pirates ace, who owns a 4.74 ERA and 16:7 K:BB ratio in 19 innings. He'll face the Brewers at home Sunday in his next start.