MLB Player News

Pirates pitcher Gerrit Cole could be used out of the bullpen if the team makes the postseason, according to the Pittsburgh Tribune-Review. 

The decision hasn't been finalized, but manager Clint Hurdle has indicated Cole will be used out of the pen. If Cole continues to put together strong starts, the club could re-think that decision. 

Cole has a 3.48 ERA in 98 1/3 innings. 

Dodgers starter Ricky Nolasco got the start Monday at home against Arizona. He was crisp over 6 2/3 innings for the win.

Nolasco improved to 13-9 for the Dodgers as he threw 100 pitches and allowed just one unearned run. He gave up three hits, walked one and struck out six in the win. His ERA is now at 3.14.

The 30-year-old has been another reliable starter for the Dodgers down the stretch. He's won seven straight decisions and four straight outings. The Dodgers will next hand the ball to Nolasco to start Saturday against San Francisco.

Pirates phenom Gerrit Cole made his 16th career start Monday night in Texas during an interleague battle that felt a little like a possible World Series matchup. Cole squared off against Texas' ace Yu Darvish and ended up picking up the win that secured the Pirates' first winning season since 1992.

Cole set a new career high with nine strikeouts as he allowed just three hits over seven shutout innings in the win. He improved to 7-7 on the year with a 3.48 ERA in the process. He walked two batters and threw 92 pitches.

The 23-year-old Cole, who was the No. 9 prospect in all of baseball to start the season, according to MLB.com, will make his next start for the Pirates on Saturday against the Cubs.

Marlins starter Henderson Alvarez got a home start against Atlanta on Monday night. Coming back after leaving his last start due to a hamstring issue, Alvarez didn't appear to have any issues with the injury. Unfortunately, he did struggle with his performance.

Alvarez suffered the loss to fall to 3-4 on the year as he gave up five runs in the fourth inning. Alvarez allowed three straight doubles in the fourth and couldn't go any further in the game. He allowed five runs on five hits and three walks over his four innings on 63 pitches. Alvarez struck out two and has a 4.34 ERA.

The 23-year-old starter won his last time out at Chicago, but is just 1-3 in his last four decisions for the Marlins. Alvarez came out of his start Monday healthy and is scheduled to take the mound next for the Marlins on Saturday during a doubleheader in New York against the Mets.

Pirates starting pitcher Charlie Morton is slated for a bullpen session Wednesday, the Pittsburgh Tribune-Review reports. Morton was forced to leave his previous start Sunday after just five outs with a foot injury and his bullpen session will likely determine when his next start comes.

Reds pitcher Johnny Cueto threw 30 pitches of live batting practice Sunday afternoon, MLB.com reports.

Cueto "looked very good" according to manager Dusty Baker. The right-hander hasn't started agame since June 28 due to a strained lat. He is expected to throw a simulated game and could return to the Reds within the next week or two.

Dodgers starting pitcher Clayton Kershaw turned in another impressive performance but settled for a no-decision Sunday night at Cincinnati. The left-hander surrendered two runs on four hits and three walks while striking out seven over seven innings pitched.

Kershaw has allowed two earned runs or fewer in nine of his last 10 starts. He is scheduled to make his next start Friday at home against the Giants. He is 3-0 with a stellar 1.13 ERA in three starts against the Giants.

Diamondbacks starting pitcher Wade Miley tossed seven strong innings Sunday, but had to settle for a no-decision in a 3-2 loss to the Giants.

Miley limited the Giants to two runs on five hits in seven innings, while walking two hitters. He struck out three batters, while throwing 67 of 109 pitches for strikes. The Diamondacks went on to lose the game in 11 innings. 

Miley is 9-10 with a 3.73 ERA heading into his next start, Saturday against the Rockies.

Cardinals starting pitcher Michael Wacha tossed seven shutout innings in a 9-2 win over the Pirates Sunday.

Wacha was efficient in pitching to contact, as he limited the Pirates to just two hits while striking out only two hitters. He also walked two, while throwing 97 pitches.

Wacha is now 3-0 with a 2.70 ERA through his first 46 1/3 innings. Wacha's next start is scheduled for Saturday against the Mariners. 

Though he pitched well enough to collect his seventh win, Nationals ace Stephen Strasburg had a subpar outing against the Marlins on Sunday. He allowed four earned runs in six innings, though he yielded only four hits and two walks, while striking out seven.

Strasburg did perform better this time than in his one previous start at Marlins Park this year, when he allowed seven earned runs in two innings. His ERA now rests at 2.96.