MLB Player News

Cardinals starting pitcher Lance Lynn endured a rough outing as he suffered back-to-back losses for the first time this season Tuesday night against the Angels. The right-hander allowed five runs on nine hits and one walk while striking out eight over six innings in a 5-1 defeat.

Lynn (10-3) has allowed 19 runs combined over his last five starts (30 2/3 innings). He is scheduled to make his next start Sunday at home against Miami. He allowed a season-high seven runs over five innings in his previous start against the Marlins on June 15.

Dodgers starting pitcher Clayton Kershaw tossed his second complete game of the season Tuesday in an 8-0 win over the Rockies.

Kershaw allowed just four hits, all singles, despite pitching in the hitter's haven that is Coors Field. He tossed his first shutout, as the Rockies managed just those four singles and no walks. He struck out eight and did not allow a runner to reach second base in the outing.

Kershaw lowered his ERA back under 2.00, putting him in first place in the National League at 1.93. He also is second in the league in WHIP (0.93) and strikeouts (126), while throwing a league-high 130 1/3 innings.

He is 7-5 heading into his next outing, scheduled for Sunday against the Giants. 

Diamondbacks starting pitcher Patrick Corbin had been trying to push his record to 10-0 for five straight starts entering Tuesday's game, before the Mets dashed his hopes for good.

Corbin struggled mightily with the Mets, as he gave up four extra-base hits among his six hits allowed, including a fifth-inning home run by Anthony Recker. The Mets tagged Corbin for five earned runs in six innings on six hits and a walk. Corbin struck out four batters while throwing just 81 pitches, hit lowest total in four starts.

Corbin dropped his first decision in 17 starts, as he fell to 9-1 on the season. He remains the National League's leader in winning percentage, while also ranking seventh in ERA at 2.49. He has not won in his last six starts, though he has a solid 2.85 ERA in that span.

Corbin will try to get back on track Sunday against the Rockies. 

Nationals starting pitcher Stephen Strasburg had some issues with his control Tuesday against the Brewers, but it was the bullpen that cost Washington in a 4-0 loss.

Strasburg tossed seven scoreless innings to open the game, holding Milwaukee to just three hits, all singles. He walked four batters for the second time in four starts, but he pitched around his wildness with his eight strikeouts. Strasburg threw 66 of 105 pitches for strikes.

Strasburg left the game in a scoreless tie, before the Brewers jumped on reliever Drew Storen for four runs in the eighth. Strasburg settled for the no decision, as he remains 4-6 despite a 2.24 ERA that ranks fifth in the National League.

Strasburg has been dominant since the end of April, allowing more than two runs just once in his last 10 starts. He has a 1.71 ERA in that span, with a 3-2 record. He will try to continue his strong run Sunday against the Padres. 

With Henderson Alvarez ready to step into the rotation Thursday, the Marlins announced a small shuffle to their pitching plans. For the weekend series against the Cardinals, Miami will have Jacob Turner pitch Friday, following by Nate Eovaldi Saturday and Jose Fernandez Sunday. Each starter was pushed back one day by Alvarez's activation from the disabled list. 

With Jeff Locke being pushed back to Wednesday, Pirates starting pitcher Gerrit Cole will take the mound Thursday at home against the Phillies, as originally scheduled.

Cole has allowed three earned runs or fewer in each of his first four starts. He is 4-0 with a 3.70 ERA and a 1.23 WHIP over 24 1/3 innings.

Diamondbacks starter Wade Miley took a no-decision in Monday's loss to the Mets.

Miley went 5 2/3 shutout innings, but he needed 110 pitches thanks to allowing six hits and four runs while striking out seven. Miley's ERA fell to 4.29, but his inability to keep runners off the base continues the shaky nature he's shown all year.

Marlins pitcher Henderson Alvarez will make his Florida debut as Thursday's starting pitcher against Atlanta, the South Florida Sun-Sentinel reports. Alvarez allowed just three runs over 24 1/3 minor league rehab innings, with 14 hits allowed and 15 strikeouts against one walk. In his first full season last year with Toronto, Alvarez allowed a 4.85 ERA had a horrendously low 3.8 K/9 in 187 1/3 innings.

Cardinals pitcher Carlos Martinez has performed well at Triple-A Memphis. 

In 35 2/3 innings, Martinez has a 2.02 ERA. He's struck out nearly a batter per inning in his seven starts at the level. After a stint in the Cardinals' bullpen, Martinez was sent down to the minors to start again. 

Martinez had a 4.50 ERA in eight innings in the majors. 

Pirates starting pitcher Charlie Morton saw his start Sunday against the Brewers come to an early end, thanks to a 2 hour, 20 minute rain delay.

Morton finished two innings before the rain rolled in, allowing one unearned run on two hits. He threw 22 pitches and had a no-decision as the Pirates won 2-1 in 14 innings.

The Pirates have not announced if they will shuffle their rotation to account for Morton's brief start. He is scheduled to start Saturday against the Cubs.