MLB Player News

You take a quick look at Pirates starting pitcher prospect Gerrit Cole's stat line at Triple-A Indianapolis and you probably come away pretty impressed. Cole, who is considered a top 10 prospect by Baseball America (No. 7) and MLB.com (No. 9), is 2-1 with a 2.31 ERA and .205 opponents' batting average through five starts.

Unfortunately, it hasn't been entirely smooth sailing for the highly touted prospect. Cole issued four walks in his latest start Saturday and has now issued 15 walks through 23 1/3 innings, giving him a career-worst 5.8 walks per nine innings.

"I've only gone through the fifth inning twice. I don't care what the ERA is, I need to improve," Cole said, per MLB.com. "I'm not too pleased. I need more efficiency, more innings. I conditioned myself in the offseason, during the week, to eat a bunch of innings up and keep the bullpen fresh, so it's frustrating. Hopefully, I can get on track."

Diamondbacks pitcher Wade Miley walked a career-high seven as he ran up his pitch count and did not last long into his outing, settling for a no-decision Saturday night against the Rockies.

Miley walked four in the first inning but managed to escape unscathed. He allowed four singles in 4 1/3 scoreless innings. He struck out three in 98 pitches, 52 for strikes.

Miley has not lost and has a 2.37 ERA and 1.29 WHIP. his next start is Friday at San Diego. The left-hander is 1-2 with a 5.30 ERA in three starts at Petco Park.

Marlins starting pitcher Henderson Alvarez (shoulder), who is on the 15-day disabled list, completed a 45-pitch simulated game Saturday as he continues to work his way back from inflammation in his right shoulder.

Alvarez is expected start his rehab assignment Thursday with Class A Jupiter. He is expected to return to the rotation in early May.

Rockies starter Juan Nicasio turned in a decent performance as he earned his third win of the season Friday night against the Diamondbacks.

Nicasio, who made his fifth start of the season, surrendered two runs in the second inning, including a solo home run to Eric Chavez. The right-hander was charged with three runs -- one earned -- and four hits in five innings of work in a 6-3 victory. He struck out two and walked one in 82 pitches, 50 strikes.

Nicasio has allowed four homers in his last three outings, but has lowered his ERA from 5.63 to 4.62 over that span. The 26-year-old is scheduled to start Wednesday at Los Angeles Dodgers. He is 0-1 with a 4.26 ERA in his last two starts at Dodger Stadium.

Manager Dusty Baker said there were no new updates on Reds starting pitcher Johnny Cueto's status, according to the Cincinnati Enquirer. Cueto, on the 15-day disabled list with a strained right lat, was able to play catch Monday, but has yet to throw off a mound.

“He’s still a ways off, because he has to get on the mound, he has to get sharp, he has to get his endurance up - but he’s working hard,” Baker said. “He’s probably in better shape now than when he went on the DL, and he was in pretty good shape then. If you’re on the DL and you’re working properly, you should be tired of it.”

Cueto was 1-0 with a 2.60 ERA to go along with 18 strikeouts and six walks over his first three starts.

Dodgers starting pitcher Zack Greinke, on the disabled list with a fractured collarbone, is expected to resume throwing next week, according to BleacherReport.com. Greinke, who went 1-0 with a 1.59 ERA in his first two starts before landing on the DL, is expected to be out until at least mid-June.

Marlins starting pitcher Nate Eovaldi is making progress in his long-toss program, manager Mike Redmond told reporters Thursday. Eovaldi has been on the disabled list since the beginning of the season due to inflammation in his right shoulder. The team does not have a timeline for his possible return at this point. 

Marlins starting pitcher Henderson Alvarez received more good news Thursday, as manager Mike Redmond announced he will throw a 45-pitch simulated game Saturday. Alvarez, who is recovering from inflammation in his right shoulder, would then throw a 60-pitch rehab outing at Class A Jupiter the following Thursday, assuming all goes well.

Alvarez has been unable to pitch since suffering the injury, but he appears on track to make his return to the rotation in May. 

Dodgers lefty Hyun-Jin Ryu went seven strong innings against the Mets Thursday.

Ryu gave up one run on three hits en route to a no-decision in a 3-2 win. He walked three batters and struck out eight. He rebounded nicely from his last start, when he gave up five earned runs. 

Mets pitching prospect Zack Wheeler is set to make his first start in six days Thursday for Triple-A Las Vegas.

Wheeler has struggled in the minors to start the year with a 4.91 ERA through 18 1/3 innings and 12 walks. He's been dealing with a blister, which could be the reason for his struggles. He'll look to get back on track against the Tacoma Rainiers Thursday.