MLB Player News

Pirates pitcher Gerrit Cole took the loss Thursday as his team fell to the Brewers, 4-0. Cole allowed four runs (three earned) on 10 hits and one walk while striking out four in 7 1/3 innings.

Cole is just 2-7 since starting his Pirates career 4-0. He takes a 3.80 ERA, 1.21 WHIP and 61:18 K:BB ratio into Tuesday's rematch against the Brewers.

Nationals manager Davey Johnson said that Ross Ohlendorf will "probably" start Sunday's game against the Mets over Tanner Roark and Stephen Strasburg, the latter of whom pitched just two innings in a rain-shortened start Wednesday, the Washington Post reports.

Johnson could change his mind if Roark doesn't pitch in relief Thursday, although the manager told Roark he'd be the first one up in the bullpen Thursday. Johnson also wants to keep Strasburg on his regular schedule.

The Cardinals optioned Michael Wacha to Double-A Springfield Thursday.

Wacha has made four starts and six relief appearanes for the Cardinals, going 2-0 with a 3.78 ERA, 1.17 WHIP and 37:9 K:BB ratio in 33 1/3 innings. He is likely to return to the team in September when rosters expand.

The Diamondbacks are considering going to a six-man rotation in September in order to limit the workload of pitcher Patrick Corbin, according to azcentral.com.

Corbin tossed 186 1/3 innings last year, and has already thrown 177 2/3 in 2013. If the team were to move to a six-man rotation, Corbin would lose one or two starts. It's unclear what pitcher would serve as the sixth starter, but the most likely candidates are David Holmberg and Tyler Skaggs. 

Diamondbacks starting pitcher Wade Miley pitched well Wednesday against the Padres, but got little help in a 5-1 loss.

Miley held the Padres to two runs on seven hits in seven innings, the third time he has tossed at least seven innings during the course of his current four-game winless streak. Both runs came in the first inning, as he settled down to finish with six shutout innings. 

Miley struck out five and walked one batter, while throwing 66 of 101 pitches for strikes. He lowered his ERA to 3.55, while his record fell to 9-9. He will try to get back over .500 in his next star, scheduled for Tuesday against the Blue Jays.

Nationals manager Davey Johnson told reporters after Wednesday's game that he may bring pitcher Stephen Strasburg back on short rest to start Sunday's game against the Mets. It'll depend on how Strasburg, who threw just two innings Wednesday in a rain-shortened start, feels on Thursday.

Cardinals pitcher Adam Wainwright turned in what was easily his worst start of the season Wednesday, surrendering nine earned runs on eight hits and two walks while striking out two in two innings in his team's 10-0 to the Reds.

Wainwright had failed to complete six innings just once this season before being hammered Wednesday, going 5 1/3 innings on May 4 while giving up five earned runs, his previous season worst. He brings a 15-8 record, 2.96 ERA, 1.07 WHIP and 184:27 K:BB ratio into Tuesday's scheduled rematch with the Reds.

Marlins pitcher Henderson Alvarez recorded just five outs in Wednesday's 4-3 loss the Nationals before a rain delay ended his night early. He gave up one earned run on three hits while striking out three and walking none in 1 2/3 innings.

Alvarez wasn't able to pick up a win in August, recording a quality start in just one of five tries. He takes a 2-3 record, 3.90 ERA, 1.22 WHIP and 37:17 K:BB ratio into Monday's scheduled start against the Cubs.

Nationals pitcher Stephen Strasburg completed just two innings before a rain delay ended his night Wednesday, giving up no hits and walking one while striking out two and holding the Marlins scoreless in his team's 4-3 win against the Marlins.

It's Strasburg's second abbreviated start in his last three appearances after being ejected in the second inning of his Aug. 17 start against the Braves. He brings a 6-9 record, 2.96 ERA, 1.05 WHIP and 164:48 K:BB ratio into Monday's scheduled start against the Phillies.

Phillies pitcher Cole Hamels moved to 6-13 in his team's 6-2 win over the Mets Wednesday, giving up two earned runs on nine hits and one walk while striking out eight in seven innings.

Hamels has posted seven straight quality starts, but Wednesday's win was just his second over that stretch. He brings a 3.58 ERA, 1.19 WHIP and 166:43 K:BB ratio into Monday's start against the Nationals.