MLB Player News

Cubs starting pitcher Jason Hammel held the Pirates to two hits in 6 2/3 innings during a 3-2 victory Thursday, leading Chicago to its first win of the season. Hammel allowed just one run and one walk, while striking out five, as the Cubs moved to 1-2 on the season.

Hammel (1-0) was nearly untouchable for most of the afternoon. He allowed a single to Travis Snider with one out in the bottom of the first and a one-out single to Wandy Rodriguez in the third.

He had five 1-2-3 innings and was lifted after walking Neil Walker with two outs in the seventh. Walker would score two batters later on a Tony Sanchez single.

Hammel, who is in his first season with Chicago, is scheduled to make his next start Wednesday in a rematch with the Pirates.

Pirates pitcher Charlie Morton gave up just four hits and one walk in six scoreless innings while striking out six but didn't factor into the decision in his team's 4-3 win over the Cubs.

The Pirates couldn't have asked for more out of Morton, who gave up just one earned run in 11 spring innings before pitching well in his season debut. However, he wasn't able to pick up the win after the bullpen let him down in the 16-inning game. Morton will get a second chance at getting his first win against the Cubs in Chicago Tuesday.

Marlins starting pitcher Henderson Alvarez closed out last season with a no-hitter, but couldn't come up with a fitting encore to open his campaign this time around.

Alvarez lasted just three innings against the Rockies Wednesday, who were all over his stuff from the very beginning. He was tagged for six runs -- three earned -- on seven hits, while striking out one batter and walking two. He threw 38 of 56 pitches for strikes while taking the loss as the Marlins' comeback bid fell short late, 6-5.

 Alvarez finished last season with a 3.59 ERA in 102 2/3 innings and allowed less than a hit per inning, so he will try to bounce back from this poor opener in his next outing. He will likely next take the mound Tuesday against the Nationals. 

Rockies starting pitcher Jordan Lyles got an early cushion Wednesday against the Marlins, and that was enough to earn him a win in his season debut.

Lyles, starting in place of the injured Tyler Chatwood, pitched five innings to get his win. He allowed four runs on five hits, including a two-run home run by Giancarlo Stanton in the sixth inning before he was pulled. Lyles also struck out five batters while walking one and throwing 53 of 82 pitches for strikes in the 6-5 win.

Lyles will probably make at least one more spot start in Chatwood's place, likely Monday against the White Sox. 

Cardinals pitcher Carlos Martinez was saddled with the loss Wednesday, giving up the only run of the game in his team's 1-0 loss to the Reds.

Martinez did a great job in his season debut Monday, getting two outs without giving up a hit or a walk, but he surrendered three hits and two walks in 1 1/3 innings Wednesday. He'll continue to function as a key setup man for the Cardinals.

Cardinals pitcher Michael Wacha turned in an impressive performance in his season debut Wednesday, giving up three hits and one walk in 6 2/3 innings while striking out seven, but he didn't factor into the decision in his team's 1-0 loss to the Reds.

Wacha and fellow youngster Tony Cingrani battled to a scoreless tie while striking out 16 batters in a combined 13 2/3 innings in this pitchers' duel. Wacha will look for another strong outing in a rematch with the Reds Monday.

The Dodgers have announced the rotation for this weekend's series against the Giants, with Hyun-Jin Ryu taking the mound for Friday's series opener, the Los Angeles Times reports.

Paul Maholm will get the start Saturday, and Zack Greinke will take the mound for Sunday's series capper. Maholm will be making his season debut this weekend.

Phillies pitchers Cole Hamels and Mike Adams will begin official rehab assignments with Class A Clearwater this week, with Adams set to pitch Thursday and Hamels making his first start Sunday, the Philadelphia Inquirer reports.

Both Adams and Hamels are recovering from shoulder issues. Hamels should be on track to return during the last week of April if he makes four rehab starts and doesn't encounter any setbacks.

The Rockies have officially recalled pitcher Jordan Lyles from Triple-A Colorado Springs. He will get the start Wednesday in place of the injured Tyler Chatwood.

Diamondbacks starting pitcher Wade Miley was hit hard in the first inning, but kept his composure and hung around long enough to pick up his first win of the season against the Giants Tuesday.  

Miley was pretty much flawless after the first inning, but that first inning nearly cost him the game. He was tagged for four runs, three of them coming off the bat of Brandon Belt, who hit a two-out home run to put Miley in a 4-0 hole early.

Miley bounced back strong from that rough start, tossing six shutout innings to close the game. He ultimately allowed four runs on six hits and a walk in seven innings of work, with five strikeouts as he picked up the win in a 5-4 victory.

Miley has struggled with the big inning in his first two starts, but has 13 strikeouts and nine scoreless innings among his 12 innings of 5.25-ERA ball. He is 1-1 heading into his next start, which should come Sunday in Colorado.