MLB Player News

Marlins pitcher Ricky Nolasco had a quality start in a no-decision Tuesday night against the Phillies.

Nolasco threw six scoreless innings before surrendering run-scoring doubles to Delmon Young and Erik Kratz in the seventh inning and being pulled. The right-hander held the Phillies to two runs on four hits and two walks while striking out six in 6 2/3 innings.

Nolasco has allowed five runs combined in his last three starts (22 1/3 innings). He is scheduled to make his next start Monday against the Brewers at Marlins Park. He is 2-3 with a 4.19 ERA in six starts at home.

 Marlins starting pitcher Nate Eovaldi made what could be his final rehab start Tuesday for Double-A Jacksonville as he continues to recover from right shoulder inflammation.

Eovaldi lasted 4 2/3 innings, throwing 86 pitches, 50 for strikes. He allowed four earned runs on six hits and four walks while striking out one.

Eovaldi has made three rehab starts in the minors, and MLB.com reports Tuesday his next start could come in the majors if the Marlins opt to activate him from the disabled list. 

Nationals starter Stephen Strasburg is scheduled to throw a bullpen session Wednesday. It'll be the final hurdle for Strasburg, who left his start Friday after two innings.

If Strasburg completes his bullpen session Wednesday without discomfort, he'll be cleared to start Saturday at home against the Twins, Comcast SportsNet Washington reports. Strasburg is 2-3 with a 1.09 ERA and a 0.81 WHIP in five starts at Nationals Park.

With an injury to Jeanmar Gomez opening up a rotation spot, the Pirates will have to decide whether to find a replacement or stick with four starters for the time being. Pitching prospect Gerrit Cole might not be ready to step into the big-league rotation and fill that void just yet.

Al Melchior said on Tuesday’s Fantasy Baseball Today that he thinks the Pirates will utilize days off in the coming weeks to roll with what they have, adding that the team might call up Cole sometime after the All-Star break. 

The Pirates are pleased with Charlie Morton's recovery from elbow surgery, but would like to see him make one more rehab start before returning to the rotation. According to the Pittsburgh Tribune-Review Monday, the team would prefer not to call up Morton to take Jeanmar Gomez's spot in the rotation right now.  

Morton threw 86 pitches in his last start for Triple-A Indianapolis, and they will likely take advantage of an off-day in the schedule to re-shuffle the rotation to get him one more start to continue to build up his arm strength.

"It was definitely a step forward as far as focus and command," manager Clint Hurdle said. "We want to bring people back who are game-ready, who are going to give us meaningful innings. I think there's room for improvement, and we would like to push the pitch count toward 100."

Cardinals pitcher Lance Lynn allowed just one earned run on five hits and a walk in seven innings while striking out six Diamondbacks Monday to earn his eighth win of the season.

Lynn has given up a total of three earned runs in 20 innings over his last three starts, and Monday's gem moves him to 8-1 with a 2.76 ERA. He'll face the Reds in Cincinnati Saturday.

Dodgers starting pitcher Hyun-Jin Ryu said his foot felt better Monday after a bullpen session, and he expects to make his next start Friday against the Braves, True Blue LA reports.

Ryu was scratched from his last start with a foot injury suffered last week. X-rays were negative. He is 6-2 with a 2.89 ERA.

Diamondbacks starting pitcher Patrick Corbin was named the National League Pitcher of the Month for May. Making five starts in May, Corbin went 5-0 with a 1.53 ERA, 0.99 WHIP and 31 strikeouts in 35 1/3 innings.

After winning his first start in June Sunday, Corbin is 9-0 with a 2.06 ERA, 1.05 WHIP and 61 strikeouts in 74 1/3 innings over 11 starts.

Marlins starting pitcher Nate Eovaldi (shoulder) will move his rehab assignment to Double-A Jacksonville Tuesday to make his third rehab start. Eovaldi was 0-1 with a 3.00 ERA and .265 opponents' batting average in two rehab starts for Class A Jupiter.

"We'll see how he throws and make a decision from there," Marlins manager Mike Redmond said to The Miami Herald.

Nationals starting pitcher prospect Sammy Solis has been encouraged with his performance since making his season debut for Class A Potomac May 21. Solis, who missed last season recovering from Tommy John surgery, has posted a 2.45 ERA in three starts and tossed a season-high five innings Saturday.

Solis said he feels stronger than before and his velocity has returned to his pre-surgery level.

"The feel has been the biggest thing," Solis told The Washington Post. "Changeup and curveball, especially. In the fifth inning [on Saturday] it came around and started throwing it for strikes. It really is a weapon when you can do that. When you can’t, it’s a lot harder to pitch. In the fifth inning I felt a lot more comfortable than I did in the first."