MLB Player News

Reds starter Johnny Cueto moved to 4-0 with a victory Sunday over Milwaukee in his return from the disabled list.

Cueto allowed just one run on a first inning home run by Carlos Gomez. From then on, he was excellent; he allowed five hits and didn't walk a batter over six full innings. He struck out three. His ERA sits at a sterling 2.08.

Marlins starting pitcher Ricky Nolasco held St. Louis to one run on three hits and one walk in seven innings Sunday, leading Miami to a 7-2 win against the NL Central leaders. The right-hander struck out four, as he improved to 4-7.

The Cardinals scored their only run off Nolasco in the third inning on Jon Jay's RBI single. Nolasco retired 11 straight batters during one stretch Sunday as he won for the first time in five starts. He's allowed one earned run in four of his last eight starts.

Nolasco will be back on the hill Friday at San Francisco. Nolasco is 5-3 with a 1.83 ERA in eight career starts against the Giants, including 4-0 with a 0.87 ERA in four career starts at AT&T Park.

Nationals starting pitcher Stephen Strasburg took a loss in his return to action Sunday against the Indians. Strasburg (3-6), who was activated off the 15-day disabled list prior to Sunday's game after being sidelined with a lat strain, allowed one run in five innings, but he was outpitched by Corey Kluber, who tossed eight scoreless innings in a 2-0 win for Cleveland.

"I felt really good and definitely could have gone for a few more innings, but they didn't want me to," Strasburg said. "It was good to be out there after two weeks."

Strasburg had some command issues, walking four batters, including two of the first three batters he faced in the game. He finished with four strikeouts and allowed one hit, as he lost for the first time in five starts. Strasburg, however, hasn't allowed more than one earned run in six straight starts.

"He was a little bit rusty and didn't have his command, but I thought he settled in pretty well," Washington manager Davey Johnson said. "He had a maximum of 80 (pitches)."

The right-hander is slated to make his next start Friday against the Rockies. Strasburg is 0-2 with a 3.75 ERA and 1.33 WHIP in two career starts (both in 2012) against Colorado.

The Reds have activated starter Johnny Cueto from the disabled list to start Sunday against Milwaukee, MLB.com reports. Cueto owns a 2.17 ERA and 34 strikeouts over 37 1/3 innings on the season. He allowed just one run in eight innings in his two rehab appareances.

The Reds have optioned pitcher Pedro Villareal to Triple-A Louisville, MLB.com reports. Villareal allowed six runs on 10 hits over 3 2/3 innings in his only major league start. Johnny Cueto's return results in Villareal's return to the minors.

With Brandon Beachy no longer an option to pitch in Tuesday's doubleheader against the Mets, Braves manager Fredi Gonzalez is considering starting rookie Alex Wood Tuesday, according to the Atlanta Journal-Constitution. Wood, who last pitched out of the bullpen Friday, took batting practice for the first time Saturday, which is a strong indication he could make his first major-league start.

"I’m kind of open. We’re seeing how we get through these next couple days and see what our options are," Gonzalez said about starting the rookie left-hander. 

As expected, Nationals starting pitcher Stephen Strasburg (lat strain) was activated off the 15-day disabled list Sunday to start against the Indians. Strasburg won his only start against Cleveland in 2010 and is 5-1 with a 2.13 ERA in seven career interleague starts.

Diamondbacks starter Wade Miley endured a rough outing as he suffered his sixth loss of the season Saturday night against the Padres.

Miley (4-6) pitched three perfect innings to start the game before surrendering five runs in the fourth, including a three-run home run to Yasmani Grandal. The left-hander permitted six runs -- one earned -- on six hits and one walk while striking out four in six innings pitched in a 6-4 loss.

Miley has lost five of his lasts even starts. He has seen his ERA rise from 2.93 to 4.64 over that span. He is scheduled to make his next start Friday at home against the Reds. He is 1-2 with a 6.86 ERA in four starts away from home.

The Dodgers have made progress on a potential seven-year extension for starter Clayton Kershaw worth more than $180 million, according to FOX Sports Saturday. The 25-year-old is looking for a richer deal than Felix Hernandez and Justin Verlander because of his age.

Kershaw is 5-4 with 1.84 ERA and a 0.97 WHIP. He has a 104-to-31 strikeout-to-walk ratio in 107 1/3 innings this season. The 2011 National League Cy Young winner is 66-41 with a 2.71 career ERA.

Dodgers starting pitcher Clayton Kershaw turned in a dominant outing but failed to factor in the decision Saturday afternoon against the Pirates.

Kershaw allowed a run on a fielder's choice in the first inning. The left-hander yielded the run, three hits and three walks while striking out eight in seven innings of a 5-3 win in extras.

Kershaw has allowed two earned runs or fewer in each of his last three starts. He is scheduled to make his next start Friday at San Diego. He is 0-2 with a 3.97 ERA in two starts against the Padres.