MLB Player News

With Paul Maholm (wrist) possibly facing a stint on the disabled list, you would think that would clear up the Braves' cluttered rotation situation, but that's far from the case. According to the Atlanta Journal-Constitution, there are still several possible scenarios.

An earlier report from MLB.com suggested that Kris Medlen could lose his rotation spot to rookie Alex Wood, but the AJC reports that, should Maholm not need a visit to the DL, Medlen could still lose his role to Brandon Beachy, and not Wood. However, if Maholm does go on the DL, both Medlen and Beachy could occupy rotation spots.

So to recap, in the near term there are four pitchers -- Maholm, Medlen, Beachy and Wood --who all have a chance to fill one of two spots among the Braves' starting five. Regardless of his DL status, Maholm is barely worth using in standard mixed leagues, so he is droppable. The other three are worth holding for now, even though none is currently assured of a long-term role in the rotation. Each is good enough to succeed in that role, so the best thing a Fantasy owner can do is closely monitor the situation and keep those pitchers until the future becomes clearer.

Cardinals starting pitcher Lance Lynn is mired in a slump. He is 1-4 with a 6.30 ERA in his last five starts, with opponents batting .306 off the right-hander in that span.

On Sunday, Lynn met with manager Mike Matheny, who took some of the blame for Lynn's struggles, according to the St. Louis Post-Dispatch.

"I don’t think I’ve done a real good job communicating to him as he’s trying to control his emotions out there," Matheny said. "So he tries to harness back when his natural tendency is to be that aggressive guy. The way we tried to explain it is we want him to be himself but also understand there’s some things inside the game as how you’re perceived and how your teammates respond. It’s been kind of a tough transition for him."

Lynn was encouraged by his talk with Matheny.

"When it’s all said and done, I’ve got to get back to who I am," he said. "Who I am gets the ball and goes right after people. I haven’t been that, as of late, and that’s what we talked about. I want to be that guy and I know I can be that guy. I just need to pitch better to be that guy."

Cardinals starting pitcher Adam Wainwright (13-5) bounced back from a few rough starts to earn his NL-best 13th win Sunday against the Padres. The right-hander yielded two runs on eight hits and two walks while striking out seven over eight innings of a 3-2 win.

Wainwright has not lost a decision since June 23. He has a 2.84 ERA over his past five starts and is scheduled to face Atlanta Friday. He's 8-1 with a 2.93 ERA in 12 starts away from home.

Marlins pitcher Henderson Alvarez had another quality start but ended with a no-decision Sunday against the Brewers. The right-hander yielded five hits and a walk while striking out one over seven innings of a 1-0 loss in extras.

Alvarez has allowed two earned runs over 13 2/3 innings. He's scheduled to make his next start Friday at home against the Pirates. Alvarez is 0-1 with a 4.26 ERA in two starts at Marlins Park this season.

Dodgers starting pitcher Clayton Kershaw struck out nine and got the win in his first start back from the All-Star break Sunday against the Nationals.

Kershaw (9-6) allowed two hits in seven innings -- both solo home runs by Jayson Werth and did not walk a batter in a 9-2 victory.

Kershaw has allowed two runs or fewer in three of his last four starts. He has a 1.85 ERA over that span. He's scheduled to make his next start Friday at home against the Reds. He's 5-4 with a 1.80 ERA in 11 starts at Dodger Stadium.

Diamondbacks starting pitcher Wade Miley turned in a decent outing but was not backed by enough run support as he was hit with the loss in his first start back from the All-Star break against the Giants.

Miley (6-8) surrendered a run-scoring double to Pablo Sandoval in the opening frame and walked the bases loaded in the fourth. The left-hander lasted only four innings as he permitted two runs on four hits and two walks while striking out four in a 4-3 defeat.

Miley has allowed two runs or fewer in five of his last seven starts. He is scheduled to make his next start Thursday at home against the Cubs. He allowed seven runs over seven innings pitched in his previous meeting against the Cubs on May 31.

Rockies starter Juan Nicasio (6-4) won his sixth of the season in his first start back from the All-Star break Saturday against the Cubs. The right-hander permitted a run on two hits and three walks while striking out three over five innings of a 9-3 win.

Nicasio has allowed one earned run over his last 12 innings (two starts). He's scheduled to make his next start Thursday at home against the Marlins. He's 3-1 with a 4.50 ERA in eight starts at home.

Cardinals starting pitcher Lance Lynn (11-5) suffered his fifth loss Saturday against the Padres. The right-hander lasted five innings, allowing four runs on six hits and three walks while striking out one in a 5-3 loss.

Lynn is 1-4 with a 6.30 ERA over his last five starts. He's scheduled to start Thursday at home against the Phillies. He pitched seven scoreless innings in his previous meeting against Philadelphia April 20.

Dodgers starting pitcher Zack Greinke turned in another dominant outing but received a no-decision Saturday night against the Nationals.

Greinke allowed only a run-scoring single to Roger Bernadina in the sixth. The right-hander yielded seven hits and three walks while striking out three over six innings.

Greinke has allowed a earned run over his last three starts (22 innings). He's 5-0 with a 2.36 ERA over his last six starts. He's scheduled to make his next start Thursday at home against the Reds. Greinke is 5-0 with a stellar 2.17 ERA in seven starts at Dodger Stadium.

Marlins starting pitcher Nate Eovaldi had his streak of five consecutive quality starts snapped as he suffered his first loss of the season against the Brewers.

Eovaldi (2-1) allowed homers to Jonathan Lucroy and Rickie Weeks. The right-hander gave up six runs on 10 hits and two walks while striking out five over four innings of a 6-0 loss.

Eovaldi had allowed two home runs through his first five starts entering Saturday. He has a 3.93 ERA and 1.25 WHIP through 34 1/3 innings. He's scheduled to make his next start Thursday at Colorado.