MLB Player News

Nationals starter Stephen Strasburg fell to 1-4 after allowing three runs on five hits over seven innings against St. Louis.

Strasburg had a sharp outing -- he struck out seven against one walk and threw six scoreless after allowing three in the first. But the Nationals only gave him one run of support for the third straight game, and the club has yet to score over three runs in any of his starts. 

Strasburg's overall numbers are fine -- he has a 3.16 ERA and a 3.33 FIP through Wednesday's action -- and it's only a matter of time before his team puts some runs on the board for him.

Two players compelled me to drop what I was doing Tuesday and check on their availability in all of my leagues. One was the Tigers' Jose Valverde. The other was the Diamondbacks' Patrick Corbin, who delivered his second straight start with seven strikeouts over seven-plus innings.

Before, I was intrigued by his sudden increase in velocity. Now, I'm buying into it. At a time when most pitchers are working to regain what they had last year, he's already averaging a mile per hour more on his fastball, and it's beginning to show up in his strikeout totals.

Granted, he's far from a proven commodity, but he has emerged as one of my preferred early-season waiver claims, alongside Ervin Santana and Jose Quintana.

The Rockies have optioned pitcher Rob Scahill to Triple-A, the club announced.

Scahill occupied the extra roster spot the Rockies were granted Tuesday for the club's doubleheader against Atlanta. He appeared in the nightcap and threw three scoreless innings.

Diamondbacks pitcher Patrick Corbin continued his strong start on Tuesday night against the Giants. He allowed two runs on six hits over 7 1/3 innings of work.

The left-hander made it through his first seven frames unscathed before running into trouble in the eighth. In that frame, he put the leadoff batter on before Brandon Crawford hit an RBI triple. Crawford scored on a groundout and Corbin was pulled after giving up a single to Angel Pagan.

Corbin, who threw 96 pitches, left in line for the win but the bullpen was unable to hold on. He also struck out seven with no walks in a no-decision.

The 23-year-old has a 1.71 ERA through four outings.

His next start is scheduled for Sunday against the Rockies. In three starts against Colorado last season, Corbin went 0-1 with a 6.75 ERA.

Braves starting pitcher Julio Teheran enjoyed his best outing of the season as he earned the win in the nightcap of Tuesday's doubleheader against the Braves.

Teheran (1-0), who made his fourth start of the season, surrendered a run-scoring single to Michael Cuddyer in the third inning. Teheran got out of the jam and cruised the rest of the way. The right-hander yielded one run and eight hits in seven innings of work in a 10-2 victory. He struck out three and did not issue a walk on 90 pitches, 70 for strikes. It was the first time he allowed less than four runs in a start.

Teheran has a 5.48 ERA and a 1.57 WHIP through his first four starts. He is scheduled to pitch Monday at home against the Nationals. He surrendered four runs in six innings of work in his last meeting against Washington on April 12.

Pirates pitcher Charlie Morton, on the 15-day disabled list, made a start for Double-A Altoona on Tuesday as he continues to recover from Tommy John surgery. He gave up just one hit over four scoreless frames. The right-hander also struck out three and walked two.

Morton has allowed two runs over seven innings in two rehab starts.

Marlins starting pitcher Ricky Nolasco turned in a decent performance as he picked up his first win of the season during Tuesday night’s doubleheader nightcap against the Twins.

Nolasco (1-2), who made his fifth start of the season, nearly blew a four-run lead as he surrendered three in the third inning, including a run-scoring single to Joe Mauer. The right-hander was charged with three runs -- two earned -- and six hits in five innings of work in an 8-5 victory. He struck out four and walked one on 99 pitches, 66 for strikes.

Nolasco has a 3.81 ERA and 1.27 WHIP. He is scheduled to start Sunday at home against the Cubs. He allowed three runs and eight hits in 5 1/3 innings in his lone appearance against the Cubs last season. Nolasco has allowed five runs in 12 innings of work at Marlins Park this season.

Phillies starting pitcher Cole Hamels turned in another solid start Tuesday against the Pirates, but was charged with his third loss of the season.

Hamels (0-3), who made his fifth start of the season, surrendered a run-scoring double to Brandon Inge in the fourth and a solo home run to Gaby Sanchez in the eighth for his only damage of the night. The left-hander was charged with two runs and seven hits in eighth innings of work in a 2-0 defeat. He struck out six and walked one on 118 pitches, 82 for strikes.

Hamels has a 5.40 ERA and a 1.33 WHIP. He is slated to start Sunday against the Mets at Citi Field. The 29-year-old is 2-3 with a 3.86 ERA in his last eight starts at Citi Field.

Dodgers pitcher Clayton Kershaw lasted fewer than six innings for the second straight start on Tuesday night against the Mets. He allowed two runs on three hits with four walks over five innings of work.

The left-hander surrendered all of his damage in the third when, after putting two men on, he gave up back-to-back RBI singles. He cruised after that and left with the score tied at 2-2.

Kershaw, who threw 111 pitches, also struck out five in a no-decision.

His next start is scheduled for Sunday against the Brewers. In one start against Milwaukee last season, Kershaw allowed five runs over 5 2/3 innings in a loss.

Marlins starting pitcher Henderson Alvarez, on the 15-day disabled list with right shoulder inflammation, threw a live batting practice session Tuesday, the Sun Sentinel reported. He is scheduled to throw another one by the end of the week, barring any setbacks.

If his sessions go well, he'll be moved to the minors to start his rehab assignment. General manager Mike Hill told the Sun Sentinel that Alvarez could make his debut at some point in early May.