MLB Player News

Cardinals pitcher Michael Wacha turned in an impressive performance in his first outing back from the minors as he received a no-decision Tuesday night against the Reds. The right-hander permitted three hits and two walks while striking out three over six scoreless innings of a 1-0 defeat.

Wacha has not allowed a run over his last 13 2/3 innings pitched in the majors. He is scheduled to make his next start Sunday at home against Pittsburgh.

Mets rookie starting pitcher Zack Wheeler only has approximately 28 innings remaining this season, according to ESPN New York. He has logged 151 2/3 innings between the majors and minors. The Mets don't want him to exceed 180 innings.

If the Mets use a five-man rotation, Wheeler would be scheduled to start five times in September. He would have to average less than six innings per start to last the remainder of the season.

Reds starting pitcher Johnny Cueto (strained lat) tossed a 35-pitch bullpen session prior to Tuesday's game against the Cardinals, the Cincinnati Enquirer reports.

Cueto was cleared to throw two bullpen sessions on Monday by Dr. Tim Kremchek. He remains hopeful of returning before the end of the regular season.

Cardinals pitcher Carlos Martinez has been called up Tuesday.

Michael Wacha was tabbed to start the game, but the team also called up Martinez and rookie Tyler Lyons. Martinez has a 6.00 ERA in 12 games in the majors. 

As expected, the Cardinals have promoted pitcher Michael Wacha to the majors for his start Tuesday.

Wacha will face off against the Reds. He's appeared in 10 games with the club, including four starts. Wacha has a 3.78 ERA.

Washington starting pitcher Stephen Strasburg was outstanding Monday night in Philadelphia. Unfortunately, it couldn't translate into a victory.

Strasburg took a no-decision despite going six shutout innings. He saw his pitch count run up to 100 and couldn't get deeper into the game as Philadelphia took a lead in the eighth.

The Nationals ace gave up just two base hits and just one unearned run on the outing. He struck out 10 batters as his ERA moved to 2.85.

The 25-year-old may have just a 6-9 record, but his ERA and 1.04 WHIP tell another story. He's been outstanding of late and makes his next scheduled start Sunday at Miami.

Philadelphia starting pitcher Cole Hamels was outstanding Monday night at home against the Nationals. One simply wonders why he left the game so early?

Hamels gave up just two hits and one run on a Ryan Zimmerman home run in the first inning over seven outstanding innings on the outing. He threw just 87 pitches and left in a 1-1 ballgame before Justin De Fratus allowed the Nationals to take a short-lived lead. Hamels took a no-decision for the Phillies.

Hamels didn't walk a batter and struck out eight to lower his ERA to 3.50 on the year. His record remains 6-13, though he's allowed three or fewer earned runs in 10 of his last 11 starts. Hamels has 10 quality starts over his last 11 outings, though he's just 3-2 over that span.

The 29-year-old, who has a solid WHIP at 1.16 and a .247 batting average against, makes his next scheduled start on Sunday against Atlanta.

Dodgers starting pitcher Clayton Kershaw did not have his usual dominant outing Monday night in Colorado. Despite allowing five runs over five innings, Kershaw still managed to earn the win.

Kershaw raised his ERA to 1.89 on the season from 1.72 to start the day, but earned the win to improve to 14-8 on the year. He gave up five earned runs on 11 hits and a walk with four strikeouts over 81 pitches, but got plenty of offensive support in the 10-8 victory.

Kershaw, who went 2 for 2 with two RBI at the plate for Los Angeles, has gone just 10 2/3 innings combined in his last two outings with seven runs -- six earned -- allowed. He lost his last time out and certainly hasn't been at his best of late. Still, Kershaw has been outstanding all year for the Dodgers and should bounce back. His next start comes Sunday at Cincinnati.

The Dodgers will hand the ball to Edinson Volquez to start Wednesday's game in Colorado, MLB.com reports Monday night. With the announcement, Hyun-Jin Ryu will move back two days to start Friday at Cincinnati. 

Pirates starting pitcher Charlie Morton pitched his way to a third straight victory Monday against the Brewers. Morton (7-3) allowed two runs (one earned) on seven hits and two walks, while striking out six in seven innings.

Morton allowed an RBI single in the second inning and Jean Segura scored on a fielding error in the seventh inning. Morton has not allowed more than one earned run in three straight starts and hasn't allowed more than two earned runs in six straight starts. He has gone at least seven innings four times in his last six starts.

The right-hander is scheduled to start Sunday against the Cardinals, but he could move up to Saturday, if the Pirates choose to skip their fifth starter. Morton is 0-1 with a 5.25 ERA in two starts against St. Louis this season.