MLB Player News

Stroman (shoulder) is throwing another bullpen session Friday, Jordan Bastian of MLB.com reports.

Stroman will toss another bullpen session as he continues ramping up his activity following right shoulder inflammation. He'll likely start a rehab assignment in the next week and could return to the Cubs close to the All Star-break.

Musgrove (8-2) took the loss against the Dodgers on Thursday, allowing three runs on five hits and one walk while striking out 10 over seven innings.

Musgrove would have likely encountered a better fate if not for Justin Turner's presence in the lineup. The Dodgers' third baseman took the veteran hurler deep twice to account for all three runs against him. Despite that obstacle, Musgrove pitched well, earning a quality start and racking up 15 swinging strikes along with a season-high 10 punchouts. The right-hander began the campaign with a win in each of his first eight decisions but has now dropped two straight. He's been the Padres' best starter, however, posting a 2.25 ERA, 0.95 WHIP and 92:19 K:BB over 92 innings overall.

Ashcraft (4-2) took the loss against the Cubs on Thursday, allowing seven runs on seven hits and two walks while striking out one batter over 2.1 innings.

Ashcraft allowed a run in the first inning, but that turned out to be his best frame of the contest. The rookie yielded four hits and a walk that resulted in five runs in the second inning and allowed three of the four batters he faced in the third to reach base before he was mercifully removed for a reliever. This was easily his worst start as a major leaguer, as he failed to pitch into the fifth inning for the first time and surrendered a season-worst seven runs. Ashcraft has allowed two or fewer runs in five of his eight starts this season, but the three other outings have been so poor that his ERA sits at an unsavory 4.53.

Ashcraft (4-2) took the loss against the Cubs on Thursday, allowing seven runs on seven hits and two walks while striking out one batter over 2.1 innings.

Ashcraft allowed a run in the first inning, but that turned out to be his best frame of the contest. The rookie yielded four hits and a walk that resulted in five runs in the second inning and allowed three of the four batters he faced in the third to reach base before he was mercifully removed for a reliever. This was easily his worst start as a major-leaguer, as he failed to pitch into the fifth inning for the first time and surrendered a season-worst seven runs. Ashcraft has allowed two or fewer runs in five of his eight starts this season, but the three other outings have been so poor that his ERA sits at an unsavory 4.53.

Hendricks (4-6) earned the win over Cincinnati on Thursday, pitching six innings and allowing two runs on six hits and one walk while striking out seven.

The Cubs built an early lead that ballooned to seven runs through three innings, so Hendricks faced little stress in earning his fourth victory. Still, the veteran was more deceptive than usual, notching 15 swinging strikes and a tying a season high with seven punchouts. Hendricks has had his share of poor performances this season, but he's registered consecutive quality starts during which he's allowed just two runs while striking out 13 across 13.2 innings.

Anderson (6-5) allowed seven earned runs on seven hits and one walk while striking out one across two innings to take the loss Thursday against the Phillies.

Anderson had a disastrous second inning, as he allowed the first five batters he faced to reach base -- accounting for four earned runs. After finally getting an out, Anderson served up a three-run homer to Nick Castellanos to cap off the seven-run inning. Anderson has allowed at least four earned runs in six of his last eight outings, which has inflated his ERA to 5.31 on the campaign.

Nola (5-5) allowed four earned runs on seven hits and one walk while striking out eight across seven innings to earn the win Thursday against Atlanta.

Nola was given an 11-run lead by the fourth inning, so he was able to pound the strike zone -- 83 of his 110 pitches went for strikes. However, that did lead to him serving up a pair of homers, marking only the third time he's been taken deep multiple times in an outing this season. Otherwise, Nola has been in excellent form, as he entered Thursday's start having allowed fewer than two earned runs while working at least seven innings in each of his last four starts. Overall, he has maintained a 3.13 ERA and an impeccable 117:14 K:BB across 103.2 frames on the campaign.

Houser will be placed on the injured list after suffering an elbow injury during Thursday's start against Pittsburgh, Todd Rosiak of the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel reports.

Houser exited Thursday's outing after only 2.1 innings due to tightness in his right elbow. There's no further information currently available, though manager Craig Counsell said Houser will return to Milwaukee to have his elbow examined. The move has not yet been made official, but Houser will be out until at least mid-July.

Brubaker (2-7) earned the win Thursday over Milwaukee, striking out six in six innings while allowing four runs on seven hits and two walks.

Even though he was hit hard and gave up six extra-base hits, Brubaker managed to get the victory as the Pirates offense scored eight runs. After starting the season 0-7, the 28-year-old has won two of his last three starts and has a 3.50 ERA, 17:5 K:BB and no homers allowed over18 innings in that span. His next start will likely be in the middle of next week against the Yankees.

Houser exited Thursday's start against the Pirates with right elbow tightness, Todd Rosiak of the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel reports.

Houser left the start after just 2.1 innings. While there are no further details, the diagnosis suggests Houser could be in danger of missing at least his next start -- currently projected to come July 5 against the Cubs. Chi Chi Gonzalez appears to be the likeliest candidate to take that turn through the rotation.