MLB Player News

The Pirates have not officially named a starter for Tuesday's game against the Brewers as of Sunday morning, but manager Clint Hurdle said rookie Gerrit Cole is penciled in to make the start, pending final approval from general manager Neal Huntington. Hurdle received the confirmation Sunday afternoon.

Cole went 1-3 with a 4.25 ERA in five August starts.

Dodgers starting pitcher Zack Greinke heads into Sunday's start against the Padres with a 10-1 record and 2.14 ERA in his last 13 starts. It's been a nice turnaround after the veteran right-hander was 3-2 with a 4.22 ERA in his first nine starts.

Greinke has credited better pitch location for his recent string of success.

"If you're able to do that you feel more comfortable out there to where if you get to three balls, you feel you can make some pitches and if you get behind in the count, you have some things you can go to that aren't going to get crushed," he said, per MLB.com. "You're just more confident when you're able to locate stuff."

Rockies starter Juan Nicasio was bested Saturday by Cincinnati as he fell to 8-7.

Nicasio served up six runs on seven hits and three walks. He struck out four but lacked the control or command to avoid big innings. Nicasio's ERA sits at 4.82. 

Mets starter Zack Wheeler moved to 7-3 with a win Saturday over Washington.

Wheeler allowed two runs on five hits and a walk over 6 2/3 innings. He wasn't at his most unhittable -- he struck out three and induced just six swinging strikes -- but he kept the ball in the yard and used eight ground balls to complete the quality start. Wheeler now owns a 3.36 ERA.

Cardinals starter Lance Lynn took a beating in a loss Saturday against Pittsburgh to fall to 13-9.

Lynn served up seven runs on 10 hits and three walks, including a three-run home run to Russell Martin. Lynn struck out four but his command and control were both off. His ERA sits at 4.29.

Reds starting pitcher Johnny Cueto has begun a throwing program and is slated for an examination Monday in Cincinnati, the Cincinnati Enquirer reports. Cueto remains expected to return near the end of the regular season.

Dodgers starter Hyun-Jin Ryu (13-5) turned in another impressive performance as he earned his 13th win of the season Friday night against the Padres. The left-hander yielded only one run on eight hits and one walk while striking out six over 6 1/3 innings of a 9-2 victory.

Ryu has permitted two earned runs or fewer in five of his last seven starts. He is scheduled to make his next start Wednesday at Colorado. He allowed two runs over six innings pitched in his first career meeting against the Rockies on Aug. 30.

The Cardinals will use a rookie pitcher in Tuesday's start against the Reds, but the club hasn't decided whether Michael Wacha, Tyler Lyons or Carlos Martinez will be tabbed as the start, MLB.com reports.

All three pitchers will join the Cardinals Tuesday after the minor-league regular season ends. Martinez struck out nine while allowing just one earned run in seven innings in his Triple-A start Thursday. Lyons pitched two innings in relief for Triple-A Memphis Friday, striking out two without allowing a hit or a walk. Wacha pitched four scoreless innings in relief Wednesday for the Cardinals, striking out seven while walking one.

Braves pitcher Julio Teheran moved to 11-7 in his team's 2-1 victory over the Marlins Friday after giving up just one earned run on four hits and three walks while striking out eight in 6 1/3 innings.

Teheran has given up one run or no runs in six of his eight starts since the All-Star break while going 5-2 over that stretch. He takes a 3.01 ERA, 1.20 WHIP and 148:42 K:BB ratio into Wednesday's matchup against the Mets.

Nationals pitcher Stephen Strasburg will not start on short rest Sunday against the Mets, according to the Washington Times.

Strasburg only tossed 22 pitches during a rain-shortened start Wednesday, prompting speculation he could come back and pitch on short rest. Manager Davey Johnson will opt to keep Strasburg in his normal routine. He'll start Monday against the Phillies.

In 158 innings, Strasburg has a 2.96 ERA.