MLB Player News

Making his major league debut Thursday, Cardinals starter Michael Wacha is the latest pitching prospect to surge into CBS Roster Trends, becoming the most added player heading into Week 10. But what do you do if Wacha comes out and bombs?

Al Melchior said on Thursday’s episode of Fantasy Baseball Today that he’s willing to be patient with Wacha but not to the same extent he would with Kevin Gausman, who got knocked around in his first two starts for the Orioles.

Despite the team having an opening in the rotation on his scheduled start day, Mets manager Terry Collins told reporters Thursday the team did not consider promoting top pitching prospect Zack Wheeler. 

The Mets will turn to Collin McHugh to take Jonathon Niese's spot in the rotation Saturday. There is no clear timeline for Wheeler's promotion to the majors, though numerous reports have postulated it is looming. 

The Cardinals recalled pitcher Michael Wacha from Triple-A Memphis Thursday, in anticipation of his start later in the day.

Reliever Michael Blazek was optioned to make room for him on the active roster, and Jaime Garcia was sent to the 60-day disabled list to open space on the 40-man roster. 

The Braves purchased the contract of pitcher Alex Wood from Double-A Mississippi Thursday to take the vacant roster spot of Juan Francisco, who was designated for assignment.

The Braves plan to use Wood out of the bullpen, but CBSSports.com Baseball Insider Danny Knobler reports the team plans to introduce him to the rotation next season or soon after. Wood posted a 1.26 ERA in 57 innings in Double-A, and the Braves will use him to round out a bullpen that has been hit hard by injuries and overuse. 

CBSSports.com baseball insider Jon Heyman reports that the Braves are calling up left-handed pitching prospect Alex Wood, who will pitch out of the bullpen. The Braves have lost lefty relievers Jonny Venters and Eric O'Flaherty to season-ending injuries.

Wood, 22, has made 10 starts for Double-A Mississippi this season, going 4-2 with a 1.26 ERA, 0.98 WHIP and 57 strikeouts in 57 innings.

Cardinals starting pitcher Lance Lynn turned in a very good start Wednesday against the Royals, surrendering just two earned runs on eight hits and one walk in seven innings and striking out four. However, he was on the hook for the loss before the team scored four runs in the bottom of the eighth, giving Lynn a no-decision.

Lynn has posted a fine follow-up to his 18-win rookie season, going 7-1 with a 2.91 ERA in his first 11 starts of 2013. He'll try to keep it going when he faces the Diamondback Monday.

Pirates starting pitcher Charlie Morton will make his final rehab start Sunday for Triple-A Indianapolis, MLB.com reports. He is expected to throw 80 pitches in the start.

X-rays on the foot of Dodgers pitcher Hyun-Jin Ryu came back negative, the Los Angeles Times reports. Ryu was not known to have suffered an injury during a complete-game shutout against the Angels Tuesday, but if he did, it appears to be nothing major.

Marlins starting pitcher Henderson Alvarez will throw 50 to 60 pitches during live batting practice Thursday, as he continues to recover from right shoulder inflammation. He was shut down at the beginning of May the last time he faced live batters. 

The Rockies recalled reliever Rob Scahill Wednesday, to fill the roster spot opened by the demotion of Charlie Blackmon. Scahill was previous sent down May 18, to make room for a starting pitcher. He threw 5 1/3 scoreless innings before being demoted to Triple-A Colorado Springs.