MLB Player News

Nationals pitcher Stephen Strasburg passed his throwing test, and will start Saturday, according to The Washington Post. 

Strasburg had been dealing with a tight forearm, and had been pushed back twice. He has a 2.96 ERA in 170 innings. 

Mets pitcher Zack Wheeler may have just one start left, according to ESPNNewYork.com.

Wheeler, who currently has thrown 168 2/3 innings, will not exceed 180 innings. His next start is scheduled to be Monday against the Reds. If Wheeler pitches deep into that game, the team may opt to shut him down. "He's right on the borderline of where we want him to be," manager Terry Collins said. "If he goes out his next start and gets seven or eight, that could be it."

Wheeler has a 3.42 ERA in 100 innings. 

Marlins pitcher Henderson Alvarez fell to 4-5 Thursday after surrendering three earned runs on seven hits and two walks while striking out just one in five innings in his team's 3-2 loss to the Nationals.

All the damage against Alvarez came on a three-run homer in the first inning, which was his first home run allowed in seven starts. Alvarez takes a 4.05 ERA, 1.25 WHIP and 48:23 K:BB ratio into Tuesday's scheduled start against the Phillies.

Cardinals pitcher Michael Wacha didn't factor into the decision in Thursday's 7-6, 15-inning loss to the Rockies after giving up four earned runs on 12 hits while striking out seven and walking none in 4 2/3 innings.

Wacha threw 88 pitches in the outing but couldn't make it through five innings in his worst outing since rejoining the rotation at the beginning of September. He's 3-1 with a 3.21 ERA, 1.21 WHIP and 56:17 K:BB ratio heading into Tuesday's scheduled start against the Nationals.

Diamondbacks pitcher Wade Miley didn't factor into the decision in his team's 7-6 loss to the Dodgers Thursday after giving up three earned runs on five hits and four walks while striking out three in five innings.

Miley's four walks were the most in a start since he doled out five free passes on July 31 in a shutout win over the Rays. He owns a 10-10 record, 3.75 ERA, 1.33 WHIP and 138:64 K:BB ratio going into Tuesday's matchup with the Padres in San Diego.

Dodgers pitcher Ricky Nolasco struggled in Thursday's 7-6 win over the Diamondbacks, surrendereing six earned runs on nine hits while striking out five and walking none in five innings, but he did not factor into the final decision as the Dodgers clinched the NL West title.

Nolasco has been lit up in two straight starts, giving up 13 runs (11 earned) in 6 1/3 innings to inflate his ERA from 3.14 to 3.55, but he hasn't surrendered a home run in six straight starts. The owners of a 13-10 record, 1.20 WHIP and 157:45 K:BB ratio, Nolasco is slated to face the Giants Wednesday in his last start of the season, but the Dodgers could use Monday's off-day to better line up the rotation in advance of the post-season.

Rockies manager Walt Weiss said Thursday that pitchers Jorge De La Rosa, Jhoulys Chacin and Tyler Chatwood will make up the foundation of 2014's rotation, MLB.com reports. That leaves pitchers Juan Nicasio and Roy Oswalt, the latter of whom will likely be invited back to Colorado this offseason, to compete with others for spots.

"As I see it right now, those three guys have really solidified a spot," Weiss told MLB.com. "Juan's been good at times, but we need to see a little more consistency. But the other three guys, they're nice arms to have."

Pitchers Drew Pomeranz, Chad Bettis and Collin McHugh could also be in the mix to start, as could any potential trade or free-agent acquisitions.

Pirates pitcher Gerrit Cole picked up 12 strikeouts against the Padres Thursday.

Cole went six innings, giving up four hits and three walks. He surrendered just one run. Cole lowered his ERA to 3.23 following the win. 

Cardinals starting pitcher Adam Wainwright took the mound Wednesday night at Colorado. While he was effective on the pitching rubber, he was probably even better with the bat.

Wainwright went 3 for 3 at the plate with two RBI on the night to help out his own cause. He earned the win to improve to 17-9 on the season as he gave up three runs on 10 hits and a walk over 7 2/3 innings. He struck out eight batters and his ERA is now at 2.98 on the year.

The 32-year-old has earned wins in two of his last three starts and has given up just four runs over a span of 22 2/3 innings over that stretch with 22 Ks. Wainwright does not yet have his next start scheduled for manager Mike Matheny. That said, he should make his next start on Monday or Tuesday against Washington.

Pirates starting pitcher Charlie Morton matched a career-high with nine strikeouts Wednesday, in a 3-2 loss to the Padres.

Morton limited the Padres to just one run in eight strong innings of work, and exited the game in line for his eighth win of the season. Unfortunately, the bullpen faltered in the ninth inning, forcing Morton to settle for a no-decision. He struck out nine and walked three, while allowing just two hits in his eight innings.

Morton lowered his ERA to 3.35 in 104 2/3 innings. His next start is set for Monday against the Cubs. He likely has one start remaining after that this season.