MLB Player News

Pirates starter Gerrit Cole (5-3) had four strikeouts in a win in his first start back from the All-Star break Tuesday against the Nationals.

The young right-hander tossed seven innings of two-hit ball, allowing one run and one walk in a 5-1 win. His only blemish came in the third when Wilson Ramos took him deep for a solo home run.

Cole snapped a three-start losing streak and picked up his first win since June 28. The rookie has allowed only seven earned runs over his last three starts (19 innings). He is scheduled to make his next start Sunday at Miami. He is 1-0 with a 2.84 ERA on the road.

The Rangers are expected to send pitcher Neil Ramirez over to the Cubs as the fourth and final player in the trade that brought Matt Garza to Texas, the Dallas Morning News reports Tuesday. 

Ramirez was one of Chicago's top choices as the player to be named later, but left his last game with Double-A Frisco after just three innings due to a shoulder issue. Ramirez going to the Cubs has not become official yet. 

Long term, I really like Alex Wood. Next year, with impending free agents Tim Hudson and Paul Maholm presumably out of the picture, you can bet I'll be hyping him as a sleeper. The way his funky delivery has allowed him to pile up big strikeouts with little fanfare reminds me a bit of Tony Cingrani last year.

But right now, I just don't see an opening for him.

Yeah, he's starting Thursday's game, but that's with Maholm on the DL. Maholm doesn't figure to be on the DL for long, and Brandon Beachy, who looked like an up-and-coming ace last year, is on the verge of returning as well. Even if the Braves return Kris Medlen to the bullpen, which is far from a given, Wood is a safe bet to get squeezed.

Of course, we've heard conflicting reports on the matter, with some suggesting that clearing a rotation spot for Wood is an even higher priority than clearing one for Beachy. But logic says otherwise, and when in doubt, I default to logic. I'm not saying Wood is a waste of a roster spot, but in mixed leagues, I can think of a few other youngsters I'd rather stash.

Mets starting pitcher Zack Wheeler will pitch Thursday against the Braves and not be pushed back to start during Friday's doubleheader against the Nationals, manager Terry Collins announced Tuesday. Collins said Wheeler dealt with a blister in his last start Saturday against the Phillies, but he said that's the case with almost every pitcher.

Dodgers starter Hyun-Jin Ryu earned his eighth win Monday night in Toronto in a 14-5 win.

Ryu (8-3) allowed four earned runs on nine hits and two walks over 5 1/3 innings and 102 pitches. Ryu struck out three. His ERA is 3.25.

The 26-year-old from South Korea hasn't lost since June 19 at the Yankees, though he's given up nine runs in his last two outings spanning 10 1/3 innings. His next start is Saturday versus the Cincinnati Reds.

Braves starter Julio Teheran allowed one earned run Monday night in New York but settled for a no-decision. Teheran left after 90 pitches over six innings of a 2-1 win.

Teheran gave up four hits and two walks while striking out six. He is 7-5 with a 3.25 ERA.

Teheran struggled in his last start before the All-Star break. The Braves have not set Teheran's next scheduled start date. His rotation spot would likely line up to pitch Saturday against the Cardinals.

Pirates starter Charlie Morton earned a victory Monday night in Washington. He needed 102 pitches in a quality start and a 6-5 victory.

Morton (2-2) allowed three earned runs on six hits and a walk over 6 2/3 innings. The Nationals scored twice in the ninth, but the Pirates held on. Morton struck out five and allowed two home runs. His ERA is 3.35.

The 29-year-old won for the first time since June 18 in his seventh start of the season. His next start is Saturday at Miami.

The Padres will start Sean O'Sullivan Wednesday against Milwaukee, MLB.com reports. O'Sullivan is taking the rotation spot of the injured Jason Marquis. 

O'Sullivan has made a start and two appearances this season for the Padres. Originally expected to serve as long relief, O'Sullivan has allowed five runs over seven innings. 

He lost his only start -- July 12 against the Giants -- as he allowed two earned runs over five innings with four strikeouts. 

Braves pitcher Alex Wood will be recalled from Triple-A Gwinnett to start Thursday against the Mets. He will replace Paul Maholm, who was placed on the 15-day disabled list Monday because of a left wrist contusion.

Wood made one start for Gwinnett since being demoted. He allowed a run on three hits and two walks in five innings July 18. He struck out five.

Mets manager Terry Collins said Monday the team is still deciding whether to push back starting pitcher Zack Wheeler from Thursday against the Braves to Friday against the Nationals. The team is going to wait to make a decision until after Wheeler's bullpen session.

Wheeler is 2-0 with a 2.16 ERA and 1.50 WHIP in three July starts.