MLB Player News

Dodgers starting pitcher Zack Greinke found himself at the focal point of another brawl Tuesday against the Diamondbacks, but he emerged from this one unscathed. 

Greinke and Diamondbacks starter Ian Kennedy traded hit batters, with the benches clearing twice. Things came to a head when Kennedy threw at Greinke's head in the seventh inning, which cleared the benches and led to five ejections. 

Greinke pitched more than well enough to win besides the fracas, as he held the Diamondbacks to just two runs on two hits and two walks. Unfortunately, the Dodgers' offense could not manage a lead until they went ahead for good 5-3 in the eighth.

Greinke is 3-1 on the season with a 3.68 ERA in eight starts, heading into his next start, which should come Tuesday against the Yankees. 

Pirates rookie right-hander Gerrit Cole had an impressive debut Tuesday night against the Giants.

Cole (1-0) fired six scoreless innings and took a shutout into the seventh inning before permitting a run-scoring double to Tony Abreu and another run on a ground out. He also helped his cause with a two-run single in his first big-league at-bat. The top pick in the 2011 draft, Cole yielded two runs on seven hits while striking out two in 6 1/3 innings.

"When you have a lead, it allows you to be aggressive," Cole said. "If there's no one on base, I'm going to just challenge guys."

Cole's fastball touched 99 mph twice and it registered 96 mph or better 36 times. He threw 81 pitches, 59 for strikes. Manager Clint Hurdler has yet to indicate whether Cole will return to the minors or remain in the rotation.

Phillies starting pitcher Cole Hamels tossed another quality start Tuesday against the Twins, his second in a row, but he took a no-decision in a 3-2 loss.

Hamels limited Minnesota to two runs on seven hits in his six innings of work, but was actually in line for the loss when he left the game, due to the Phillies' offensive struggles. He allowed both runs in the second inning, on a pair of RBI doubles by Justin Morneau and Oswaldo Arcia.

Hamels struck out five batters and walked none, while throwing 75 of 108 pitches for strikes. He lowered his ERA to 4.45 on the season, but is still just 2-9 overall. He has four quality starts in his last five, heading into his next start, Sunday in Colorado. 

Cardinals starting pitcher Michael Wacha earned his first win in the majors Tuesday night against the Mets.

Wacha (1-0) bounced back from a rough first inning, which he surrendered two hits, three walks and two runs. The 21-year-old settled down and pitched five scoreless innings after that. The right-hander permitted two runs on five hits and three walks while striking out four in six innings in a 9-2 win.

Wacha has allowed two runs or fewer in two of his last three starts. He has a 4.58 ERA and a 1.19 WHIP. He is scheduled to make his next start Sunday at Miami.

Reds starting pitcher Johnny Cueto (shoulder) threw 35 pitches off the mound during a bullpen session before Tuesday’s game against the Cubs, according to The Cincinnati Enquirer.

Cueto remains hopeful of starting Sunday, the first day he's eligible to come off the disabled list, against the Brewers. The right-hander is scheduled to throw again Friday, which is when the Reds will likely make a decision about Sunday’s start.

“It’s the goal, but it’s like any injury, you want to feel as confident as you can that he’s healthy and it’s unlikely he’ll re-injure it,” pitching coach BryanPrice said. “There’s no guarantees. Today was another step.”

Marlins starting pitcher Ricky Nolasco's name has been linked to the Orioles, Yankees and Giants in trade rumors, according to the Miami Herald. Nolasco is in the final season of his contract and the rebuilding Marlins will likely look to get something for him before the July 31 trade deadline.

Nolasco told the Herald Tuesday he is not thinking about the possibility of having to switch teams, especially after the Marlins traded nearly all of their veterans this offseason.  

"It's out of my control," Nolasco said. "I'm a very big believer in worrying only about things I can control. Obviously I think about it, but I'm not going to drive myself crazy because it's not up to me."

Nolasco has pitched for the Marlins during the entirety of his eight-year major-league career, and is enjoying his best season since 2008 so far. Nolasco has a 3.80 ERA in 14 starts this season.

"It is going to be weird because this is all I know," Nolasco said. "But it's part of the game. I'll adapt to wherever I go."

Nationals starting pitcher Stephen Strasburg remains on course to return Sunday against the Indians, as he made it through his simulated game Tuesday without any issues. Strasburg is on the 15-day disabled list with a lat injury, and appears ready to return after the minimum time.

The team has not yet given details on his bullpen session, but manager Davey Johnson should speak with media members prior to Tuesday's night game for more information. 

Pirates starting pitcher Charlie Morton will start Thursday against the Giants, his first start since undergoing elbow surgery last June. Pirates manager Clint Hurdle confirmed this to reporters Tuesday. 

Morton allowed eight runs in 19 innings at Triple-A during his rehab assignment, and has not pitched since last May, when he had a 4.65 ERA in nine starts.  

The Pirates selected the contract of right-hander Gerrit Cole from Triple-A Indianapolis Tuesday. The first overall pick in the 2011 draft will make his major-league debut Tuesday night against the Giants.

Cole went 5-3 with a 2.91 ERA, 1.06 WHIP and 6.2 strikeouts per nine innings in 12 starts at Triple-A Indianapolis. He takes the roster spot of Wandy Rodriguez, who was placed on the 15-day DL with forearm tightness.

Marlins starter Ricky Nolasco has drawn interest from the Yankees and Orioles, according to ESPN.com. The Giants are also interested in Nolasco, according to CBSSports.com's Danny Knobler. 

The Marlins will have Nate Eovaldi and Henderson Alvarez returning from injuries, and that could spur them to get rid of Nolasco. Many scouts gathered to watch Nolasco pitch when he faced off against the Phillies June 4. In that game, Nolasco gave up two runs over 6 2/3 innings. 

Nolasco has a 3.80 ERA and a 3.65 FIP in 87 2/3 innings.