MLB Player News

Nationals right-hander Stephen Strasburg continued to show he might be destined for a breakthrough season with another fine spring outing Saturday.

Strasburg threw four shutout innings against Miami, surrendering just two hits and fanning four. He now boasts a 1.00 ERA in exhibition play, though he has just five strikeouts in nine innings.

Reds pitcher Johnny Cueto allowed one earned run on five hits in five innings while striking out five in his team's 2-1 win over the Rangers Friday.

Cueto was lit up for six earned runs in his second appearance of spring but has allowed just one run over nine innings in his two games since. He has an impressive 13:2 K:BB ratio as well as a 4.61 ERA in 13 2/3 innings.

Mets pitcher Zack Wheeler gave up one earned run on three hits and one walk in 4 2/3 innings while striking out two in his team's 1-0 loss to the Marlins Friday.

The only run of the game came on a second-inning home run by Marlins catcher Jarrod Saltalamacchia, and Wheeler was able to bounce back from the long ball and cruise the rest of the way. He pitched six scoreless innings in two games leading into Friday's loss.

Cubs pitcher Kyle Hendricks surrendered just one hit and one walk in three scoreless innings while striking out four in his team's 5-4 win over the Dodgers Friday.

Hendricks entered play Friday having given up three earned runs and walking five batters in five innings, so Friday's outing was a big step forward for the right-hander. He should open the season with Triple-A Iowa.

Dodgers pitcher Zack Greinke is hoping to pitch in a minor-league game Monday, according to MLB.com.

Greinke was able to throw a bullpen session Friday, and has shown improvement with his calf strain. He's not expected to travel with the club to Australia. Instead, Greinke will stay behind and try to pitch against minor-league players in the system. There's still a chance Greinke is able to avoid the disabled list before the start of the season.

Cardinals pitcher Michael Wacha tossed 3 2/3 strong innings against the Astros Friday.

Wacha gave up three hits, but did not allow a run. He managed to strike out five batters, and did not issue a walk during the game. Wacha is set to open the season in the rotation, and is looking to build off of last year's success. 

Wacha posted a 2.78 ERA in 64 2/3 innings last season.

Phillies pitcher Cole Hamels is set to throw another bullpen session Sunday.

Hamels tossed one session Wednesday, but the team was unsure when he would throw again. As long as he doesn't suffer a setback, Hamels should be able to progress toward an exhibition game. Hamels posted a 3.60 ERA in 220 innings last year.

Phillies pitching coach Bob McClure expressed satisfaction at how Cole Hamels (shoulder) responded to a bullpen session Wednesday, but did not know when the right-hander would return to the mound, per the Philadelphia Daily News.

The goal seems to be to get Hamels into an exhibition game before spring training breaks. He will not be ready for the regular season.

Cubs rotation hopeful Jason Hammel got mixed results from a performance Thursday in a minor league game. He surrendered eight hits and three runs, including two earned, in six innings. He fanned four and walked none in throwing 75 pitches.

Hammel's stock dropped in 2013 while his ERA rose from 3.43 to 4.97. His WHIP rose dramatically while his strikeout total fell.

Cardinals starting pitcher Lance Lynn would like to bottle the stuff he threw at Atlanta on Thursday and take it into the regular season.

Lynn gave up just one hit in four innings, walked none and fanned 10. All but two of the outs he recorded was by strikeout. He struck out the last eight batters he faced.

The performance marked a 180-degree rebound from his previous outing. Lynn yielded five runs in 1 1/3 innings last Friday.