MLB Player News

Reds pitchers Johnny Cueto (lat) and Sean Marshall (shoulder) will undergo strength tests Friday or Saturday, according to the Cincinnati Enquirer.  Both could resume throwing as early as next week.

"They've both done very well," head trainer Paul Lessard said, per MLB.com. "The reports from the physical therapists that they're working with have said that they're working hard and the strengthening has gotten better. That's why we do the tests, to get a numerical reading on their strength."

Cardinals starting pitcher Lance Lynn was in line for a win Thursday against the Pirates before Pittsburgh rallied to tie the game in the eighth inning. Lynn was charged with four runs on eight hits and one walk, while striking out six in 5 1/3 innings.

Lynn had tossed four scoreless innings before Pittsburgh scored four times in the fifth inning. Andrew Lambo opened the scoring with an RBI double, Clint Barmes followed with a two-run homer and Neil Walker added a sac fly. The Cardinals clawed back in the bottom of the inning, scoring five times. Though, the bullpen could not hold the lead.

Lynn will head back to the mound Tuesday at Milwaukee. Lynn took a no-decision against Milwaukee May 18, allowing four runs on eight hits in five innings.

Cardinals pitcher Michael Wacha made his first relief appearance Wednesday against the Pirates, tossing two scoreless innings and striking out four.

"It sort of reminded me of what we saw last year during his rise up through the minor leagues and also what we saw in spring training," general manager John Mozeliak said, per MLB.com. "Very electric stuff, and hopefully we can tap into that in high-leverage spots now."

The Cardinals plan to ease Wacha into his new relief role before pitching him on consecutive days.

"We typically don't show our hand ahead of time, but he's not going to pitch [Thursday]," manager Mike Matheny said. "We'll take a look at him [on Friday]. I imagine it'll be how quick he bounces back, how he shows the trainers he is bouncing back, how he feels. … That's not in the real near future [throwing back-to-back days], but I don't think it's something we can rule out down the road."

Diamondbacks pitcher Patrick Corbin took the no-decision in Wednesday's 5-4, 14-inning win aganst the Orioles, giving up four earned runs on nine hits and one walk while striking out seven in seven innings.

Corbin was 12-1 after winning his first start coming out of the All-Star break, but he's 0-2 over his last four starts. Wednesday's no-decision snaps a streak of six straight quality starts for Corbin, who brings a 12-3 record, 2.48 ERA, 1.04 WHIP and 140:42 K:BB ratio into Tuesday's scheduled start against the Reds.

Because of the success of starting pitchers Patrick Corbin, Wade Miley and Randall Delgado, Diamondbacks general manager Kevin Towers doesn't envision Arizona being overly active in the free-agent market for pitchers heading into 2014, according to The Arizona Republic.

"It seems like the guys who are performing right now are guys with less experience," Towers said. "I think we’ll continue to kind of follow that path."

If Towers sticks to his plan, then it will be a change in philosophy since the last few years he's been about acquiring starting pitchers.

"When you have young, inexpensive pitching, it allows you to invest dollars in other areas, like maybe the offense," Towers said. "At some point in time, you’ve got to kind of open the door and give them a chance. We’ve seen positive results from Miley, Corbin and Delgado -- guys that are getting opportunities and taking advantage of it."

Cardinals starting pitcher Adam Wainwright was a few outs from suffering his third loss in four starts Tuesday against the Pirates, but a late rally got him off the hook.

Wainwright did not pitch poorly in the outing, allowing three runs in seven innings, and he was fine after a rocky start to the game. Wainwright allowed three runs in the first two innings on a pair of home runs, but closed his outing with five scoreless innings.

Wainwright struck out six and walked three, while throwing 71 of 122 pitches for strikes. He was in line for the loss, before the Cardinals rallied in the ninth to tie the game, 3-3. He remains 13-7, with a 2.71 ERA on the season.

Wainwright is set to make his next start Sunday against the Cubs in Chicago. 

Dodgers starting pitcher Hyun-Jin Ryu (12-3) tossed a quality start as he outdueled Matt Harvey and the Mets for his 12th win of the season Tuesday night.

Ryu settled down after serving up a solo home run to Juan Lagares in the opening frame. The left-hander permitted one run on five hits and one walk while striking out three over seven innings of a 4-2 victory.

Ryu is 6-1 at Dodger Stadium with a 1.78 ERA. He is scheduled to make his next start Monday at Miami. The rookie is 6-2 with a 4.09 ERA away from home this season.

Pirates starting pitcher Charlie Morton got back on track Tuesday against the Cardinals, but the bullpen cost him a chance at a win.

Morton, who has failed to toss a quality start in either of his previous two outings, was solid against the Cardinals. He was handed a 3-0 lead after the first two innings, and was able to make it stick up through his outing, eventually allowing two runs over six innings of work.

Morton allowed his two runs on seven hits and a pair of walks. He threw 61 of 99 pitches for strikes in the outing, while striking out three batters. He was in line to win, before closer Mark Melancon allowed the Cardinals to tie the game in the ninth, saddling him with a no-decision.

Martin is 4-3 with a 3.79 ERA in 11 starts. He is set to take his next turn in the rotation Sunday against the Diamondbacks. 

Diamondbacks pitcher Wade Miley didn't factor into the decision in Monday's 7-6 win over the Orioles, allowing four earned runs on seven hits and one walk while striking out three in seven innings.

Coming into Monday's game, Miley had surrendered just two earned runs in 21 innings over his previous three starts. His three strikeouts were his lowest K total since June 5. Miley brings a 9-8 record, 3.63 ERA, 1.32 WHIP and 109:50 K:BB ratio into Sunday's matchup with the Pirates.

Dodgers pitcher Ricky Nolasco moved to 9-9 in his team's 4-2 win over the Mets Monday, allowing just two earned runs on seven hits and two walks while striking out two in 6 1/3 innings.

It was Nolasco's third straight win but just the second time in seven starts since joining the Dodgers that he completed six innings. He brings a 3.62 ERA, 1.25 WHIP and 119:38 K:BB ratio into Sunday's scheduled start against the Phillies.