MLB Player News

Mets pitching prospect Noah Syndergaard did not take a step toward a major league mound in his second Triple-A start on Wednesday. He yielded three runs on six hits and two walks in five innings, prompting Las Vegas manager Wally Backman to complain about his pace.

"His tempo was way too slow, especially early in the game," Backman told ESPN.com. "He got better as the game went on but there were times he was 20-plus seconds in between pitches. His stuff was there, but everything you hear about in baseball is rhythm and timing and it wasn't there tonight for him."

The 21 year old struggled this spring but could work his way on to the major league roster if he makes progress this season.

Cubs starting pitcher Jason Hammel won his second straight start to open the season Wednesday, in a 7-5 win over the Pirates.

Hammel allowed three home runs in the start, but managed to limit the damage to just three runs but allowing no other hits and only one walk in seven innings of work. He struck out six as well, while throwing 60 of 96 pitches for strikes.  

Hammel has allowed four runs in his first 13 2/3 innings to open the season. He carries a 2.63 ERA and 2-0 record into his next start, set for Tuesday against the Yankees. 

Mets pitcher Zack Wheeler was saddled with the loss Wednesday, giving up four earned runs on eight hits in five innings while striking out six and walking none in his team's 4-3 loss to the Braves Wednesday.

Wheeler (0-2) has flashed great strikeout potential over two starts, but he's had trouble keeping runs off the board. The Braves scored one on a Jason Heyward home run in the first inning and another three runs in fifth. Wheeler brings a 5.73 ERA and 12:2 K:BB ratio into Monday's start in Arizona.

Phillies pitcher Cole Hamels threw a bullpen session Wednesday and is scheduled to make a rehab start with Class A Clearwater Friday, MLB.com reports.

Hamels is hoping to be back with the team within two weeks. He's recovering from shoulder inflammation.

Rockies pitcher Juan Nicasio didn't factor into the decision Wednesday after giving up four earned runs on eight hits and two walks in five innings while striking out six in his team's 10-4 win over the White Sox.

Nicasio couldn't match his strong debut performance, giving up two runs in the second inning and two more in the fifth. That was all the White Sox would score in the game, though Nicasio was off the field by the time his offense put together a six-run eighth inning. Nicasio will make his next start in San Diego, likely on Tuesday.

Rockies pitcher Jordan Lyles is in a good spot to keep the fifth starter job, according to the Denver Post. 

With Tyler Chatwood slated to return soon, the club needs to move a pitcher out of the rotation in order to make room for Chatwood. Both Lyles and Franklin Morales would seem to be the most obvious candidates to go. Lyles has been solid over two starts, posting a 3.86 ERA.

Morales gave up six earned runs Tuesday against the White Sox. He also struggled against the Marlins in his first appearance. 

Cardinals pitcher Lance Lynn picked up the win Tuesday despite giving up five earned runs on eight hits in six innings while striking out four in his team's 7-5 win over the Reds.

Lynn owns a 6.55 ERA through 11 innings but is 2-0 after two starts. He has struck out 11 and walked just one, but he's also surrendered 16 hits and two home runs. Lynn is slated to face off with the Brewers Monday.

Pirates pitcher Charlie Morton gave up five earned runs on eight hits and one walk in six innings while striking out five Tuesday, but he didn't factor into the decision in his team's 7-6 win over the Cubs.

Morton couldn't solve Cubs shortstop Starlin Castro, who smacked two home runs off the Pirates starter. He did reasonably well against the rest of the offense, however. Morton takes a 3.75 ERA and 11:2 K:BB ratio into Sunday's start in Milwaukee.

Marlins starting pitcher Henderson Alvarez pitched much better in his second outing of the season Tuesday against the Nationals, but received little help from his teammates in a 5-0 loss.

Alvarez allowed just one earned run in the first inning, though that would prove to be all the Nationals needed as the Marlins' offense proved dormant. He was tagged for two more unearned runs following an error by Jeff Baker in the sixth inning.

Alvarez was charged with three runs -- one earned -- on six hits and a pair of walks in 5 2/3 innings. He struck out four and threw 50 of 80 pitches for strikes.

Alvarez is 0-2 with a 4.15 ERA after two starts, though he has had five unearned runs score against him as well. He will try to get back on track in his next start, set for Sunday in Philadelphia. 

The Nationals finalized their rotation plans for the rest of the week.

Manager Matt Williams said Jordan Zimmermann will start Wednesday and Stephen Strasburg will finish off the Miami series Thursday. Tanner Roark will then start Friday's series opener against the Braves, with Taylor Jordan going Saturday and Gio Gonzalez on Sunday.