MLB Player News

Negotiations between the Rockies and Marlins regarding a trade for starter Ricky Nolasco have stalled because of who would pick up the rest of his $11.5 million salary in 2013, according to ESPN.

The Marlins have told other clubs they have teams that are willing to take on all of Nolasco's salary. Nolasco has spent all eight if his seasons in the majors with the Marlins. He is 4-7 with a 3.68 ERA in 16 starts in 2013.

Rockies starter Juan Nicasio is in jeopardy of losing his spot in the rotation, the Denver Post reports.

Nicasio has a 5.31 ERA on the season and has allowed 13 runs on 23 hits over his last three starts (13 innings). His 12 hits allowed in 2 1/3 innings Tuesday against Boston was a career high.

"It’s tough in this league when you don’t have consistent fastball command. Juan has a good fastball, but you have to command it up here," manager Walt Weiss said. Drew Pomeranz is the likely replacement if the Rockies oust Nicasio. 

Mets starting pitcher Zack Wheeler's second start failed to live up to the lofty standards of his first, as he struggled with his control in a 5-4 loss to the White Sox.

Wheeler surrendered four runs in 5 1/3 innings of work, on four hits and three walks. Wheeler was staked to an early lead when the Mets went up 2-0 in the first inning and again in the fifth when the Mets went up 3-2, but had to settle for a no-decision after blowing each lead.

Wheeler struck out just one batter and allowed a home run, the first of his major-league career. He threw 66 of 109 pitches for strikes in the outing.

Wheeler is 1-0 with a 3.18 ERA through his first two starts, but does have eight walks in 11 1/3 innings, with eight strikeouts. His next start is scheduled for Sunday against the Nationals. 

Rockies starting pitcher Juan Nicasio struggled through his worst start of the season Tuesday against the Red Sox, as he could not get out of the third inning of an 11-4 loss.

Nicasio gave up multiple runs in each of the three innings he worked, including two in the first and three in the third. His night ended in the third after allowing four straight one-out hits to bring two more runs across.

Nicasio was charged with seven runs -- six earned -- over 2 1/3 innings of work, on 12 hits and two walks. He also struck out two batters, while his record fell to 4-4 on the season. Nicasio is winless in his last seven starts, while his ERA has risen from 4.47 to 5.31.

His next start is scheduled for Sunday against the Giants.   

Marlins starting pitcher Henderson Alvarez will move his minor-league rehab assignment up to Double-A Jacksonville Friday, as part of his continued recovery from an injury right shoulder. Alvarez will throw 80 to 85 pitches, according to MLB.com, and will be re-evaluated afterwards to determine the next step in his process. 

When he averaged 11.0 strikeouts per nine innings in his first six starts, recording more than four for every one walk, I quickly became a believer in the Dodgers' Hyun-Jin Ryu. Perhaps too quickly. In nine starts since, he has averaged 5.2 strikeouts per nine innings, recording less than two for every one walk.

Because he's the first player to go straight from the Korean Baseball Organization to the majors, nobody had much of a scouting report on Ryu coming into the season. We've all had to assess him on the fly, his competition included.

I worry there's been an adjustment along the way. Most publications of any authority projected Ryu as more of a middle-of-the-rotation type, and he was better than that in April. He hasn't been bad during his nine starts since, posting a 2.54 ERA, but with a 1.27 WHIP and poor strikeout rate, he hasn't had the look of a Fantasy mainstay.

Maybe he's overdue for an adjustment period of his own, but right now, I'm thinking middle-of-the-rotation sounds about right for Ryu.

Mets pitcher Zack Wheeler will look for improvement against the White Sox in his second career start. 

Wheeler performed well in his major-league debut, but struggled with his control, giving up five walks. That should be less of an issue against the White Sox Tuesday. As a team, Chicago ranks last in the American League with a 6.6 percent walk rate. They also sport the lowest on-base percentage in the AL. 

Fantasy owners were likely encouraged by Wheeler's first start despite the walks. Given the White Sox's struggles, there should be no concern about starting Wheeler Tuesday.

Pirates starter Gerrit Cole may not be safe when A.J. Burnett is ready to return to the rotation, according to the Pittsburgh Tribune-Review. 

General manager Neal Huntington was noncommittal when asked about the situation. "Gerrit's probably got the best stuff of anybody in the rotation ... (and) he's made three impressive outings. But the challenge is, if we need another starter (due to injury) later, it may make sense to send Gerrit back so we have a sixth quality starter," Huntington said. 

Even if Cole remains in the majors, it's unclear how many innings he'll pitch. Huntigton did not go into detail when asked about an innings limit, saying the team would employ a "scientifically based plan."

Through three starts in the majors, Cole has a 3.44 ERA.

Dodgers starter Hyun-Jin Ryu took a no-decision despite allowing just one run over 6 2/3 innings Monday against San Francisco.

Ryu needed 108 pitches, however, thanks to scattering 12 baserunners. He walked four and allowed eight hits against just two strikeouts. He was assisted by a pair of timely double plays. Still, it's tough to argue with Ryu's 2.85 ERA -- he is settling in nicely through the first half of his rookie year.

The Marlins are "being very aggressive" in shopping pitcher Ricky Nolasco, according to the New York Daily News. 

The team is reportedly "calling everyone" about Nolasco. The Mets had discussed Nolasco earlier in the season, but nothing came of the talks. A source told the Daily News that the Marlins "are desperate to move Nolasco." 

Nolasco has a 3.68 ERA through 100 1/3 innings.