MLB Player News

The Mets have reportedly targeted the June 14-16 series against the Cubs as the optimal timeframe for prospect Zack Wheeler's debut, according to Newsday. The right-hander has won two of three starts since rejoining the rotation at Triple-A Las Vegas after he missed one start with a shoulder injury.

Wheeler is 4-1 with a 3.86 ERA and .236 opponents' batting average in 11 starts. He also has 59 strikeouts in 58 1/3 innings.

Diamondbacks starter Patrick Corbin was not at his best but became MLB's first nine-game winner Sunday against the Cubs. Corbin (9-0) surrendered four runs on six hits and two walks while striking out five in six innings of an 8-4 win.

Corbin has allowed eight runs -- seven earned -- in his last two starts (12 innings), after allowing two runs or fewer through his first nine starts. He is scheduled to make his next start Friday at home against San Francisco. He is 5-0 with a 1.69 ERA in five starts at Chase Field.

The Dodgers have scratched starter Hyun-Jin Ryu from Sunday's start against Colorado, MLB.com reports. Ryu is suffering from a foot injury suffered Tuesday when he was hit with a line drive during his last start. X-rays came back negative, but he's still dealing with too much soreness to go.

Mets top pitching prospect Zack Wheeler could be promoted to the major leagues as soon as the club's next homestand Friday, the New York Post reports.

Wheeler allowed one run on three hits over six innings on Saturday night with six strikeouts. Wheeler has a 3.86 ERA and 59 strikeouts at Triple-A Las Vegas, one of the most hitter-friendly home parks and leagues across professional baseball.

Nationals head athletic trainer Lee Kuntz told reporters Saturday that an MRI on Stephen Strasburg revealed a Grade 1 lat strain, not a strained oblique as the team initially described. Manager Davey Johnson has yet to rule him out of his next start Thursday against the Mets.

"We're going to wait and see how he feels," Kuntz said. "We're going to treat it right now and play it by ear."

Cardinals starting pitcher Adam Wainwright earned his second complete-game victory of the season in the second game of a day-night doubleheader Saturday night against the Giants.

Wainwright (8-3) allowed a run-scoring single to Andres Torres in the seventh inning for his only damage of the night. He allowed one run on eight hits while striking out 10 in a 7-1 victory.

Wainwright has pitched eight-plus innings in three of his last five starts. He has allowed eight runs in his last 39 1/3 innings. He'll make his next start Thursday at home against Arizona.

Dodgers pitcher Zack Greinke was hit hard again but escaped with a no-decision Saturday against the Rockies.

Greinke surrendered three runs in the fifth, including a two-run home run to Carlos Gonzalez. The right-hander permitted four runs on nine hits and three walks while striking out three in 5 1/3 innings pitched in a 7-6 defeat.

Greinke has allowed four runs or more in each of his last three starts. He is scheduled to make his next start Thursday at home against the Braves. He is 2-0 with a 2.87 ERA in three starts at Dodger Stadium.

The Nationals do not plan to place starter Stephen Strasburg on the 15-day disabled list, though he could be in danger of missing his turn in the rotation, according to the Washington Times.

Strasburg left Friday's start against the Braves after two innings. An MRI exam Saturday revealed a strained right oblique. The team will see how he feels in a few days before making a decision on his status for Thursday's start at home against the Mets. Strasburg is 3-5 with a 2.54 ERA and a 1.06 WHIP though his first 12 starts.

Dodgers pitcher Hyun-Jin Ryu isn't sure he will be able to start Sunday against the Rockies, due to an injury to his left foot. Ryu has been dealing with pain in the foot since taking a line drive off it in his outing Tuesday.

"Considering how much it hurt that evening, it's healed faster than I thought," Ryu told MLB.com Saturday.

Ryu is receiving treatment on what has been diagnosed as a bruise. 

Dodgers starter Clayton Kershaw had a solid outing spoiled by the bullpen in a no-decision Friday night against the Rockies.

Kershaw allowed two runs in the third inning, including a run-scoring single to Michael Cuddyer. He also allowed another run on a double play in the eighth. The left-hander surrendered three runs on eight hits and two walks while striking out five in seven innings pitched.

Kershaw has allowed seven runs over his last 14 innings. He is scheduled to make his next start Wednesday at home against the Padres. He is 4-2 with a 1.38 ERA in seven starts at Dodger Stadium.