MLB Player News

Darvish (5-6) pitched eight innings of one-run ball to earn the win Tuesday against the Mets. He allowed five hits and a walk while striking out seven.

This is what the Cubs were hoping to get when they invested $126 million into Darvish before the 2018 season. The only blemish against the righty was a solo home run by Pete Alonso in the fourth inning, but he was otherwise excellent in a big game against a New York team that is chasing Chicago for a possible wild-card spot. Darvish did walk his first batter since July 23, though he generally exhibited great control once again and navigated his eight innings efficiently on 104 pitches (73 strikes). The 33-year-old will look to keep rolling in his next start, which is slated for Sunday in another pivotal game against the Brewers.

Houser allowed one run on four hits and two walks over five innings Tuesday versus the Cardinals. He struck out two and did not factor in the decision.

Houser was pulled after only 74 pitches before facing the order a third time as he struggled with his command Tuesday, throwing only 39 strikes. The 26-year-old has a 2.43 ERA, 1.08 WHIP and 33:9 K:BB in six starts since rejoining the starting rotation at the end of July, and he lines up for a tough matchup Monday versus the Astros.

Soroka (10-3) allowed two earned runs on eight hits and no walks while striking out one across six innings to take the loss Tuesday against the Blue Jays.

Soroka allowed two runs in the first inning, surrendering four of his eight hits in the process. However, he settled in from there to throw five scoreless frames while letting the Blue Jays collect only four hits. It is worth noting that the Braves pulled Soroka after just 79 pitches, likely in an effort to keep his workload in check. Nevertheless, Soroka extended his quality start streak to six outings and now has a terrific 2.44 ERA and 1.09 WHIP across 147.2 innings for the season. He'll look to keep things going in his next start, currently scheduled to be a rematch against Toronto on Monday.

Urias (suspension) will pitch for High-A Rancho Cucamonga on Thursday, Bill Plunkett of The Orange County Register reports.

Urias will make his first appearance since being handed a 20-game suspension Aug. 17 for violating Major League Baseball's Joint Domestic Violence, Sexual Assault and Child Abuse Policy. The southpaw is scheduled to throw 45 pitches or three innings as Los Angeles looks to stretch him out so that he is an option to be used as a starter in the playoffs. The 23-year-old is eligible to return to the Dodgers on Sept. 2.

Hill (forearm) completed a 30-pitch bullpen session Tuesday that included about 10 curveballs, Jorge Castillo of the Los Angeles Times reports.

Hill threw his first bullpen session Saturday since going down with the forearm strain, and his quick progression to breaking balls is a good sign for his recovery. The veteran left-hander is expected to take the mound again Friday or Saturday as he continues to ramp up his rehab work for a return in September.

Cueto (elbow) will make his final rehab appearance Saturday with Triple-A Sacramento, Andrew Baggarly of The Athletic reports.

Cueto made his first start with Sacramento on Monday -- his fifth rehab outing overall -- and threw 60 pitches over 4.1 innings. Manager Bruce Bochy previously said Cueto was tentatively set to return from the 60-day injured list around Sept. 8, and Saturday's outing will put him on track with that timeline.

Gore is starting for Double-A Amarillo on Tuesday, Jeff Sanders of The San Diego Union-Tribune reports.

Gore has not pitched since Aug. 2 as the Padres decided to limit his workload after injuries held him to only 60.2 innings in 2018. He has been throwing on the side, however, in anticipation of possibly participating in the Double-A playoffs. The Padres' top pitching prospect has compiled a 9-2 record along with a sterling 1.72 ERA, 0.84 WHIP and 130:27 K:BB while holding batters to a .166 average in 19 minor-league starts this season.

Hamels was placed on the paternity list Tuesday, Jesse Rogers of ESPN.com reports.

Hamels is expected to be away from the team for the next few days, but he'll remain on track to start Saturday's game against the Brewers. James Norwood was recalled in a corresponding move.

Urena (back) shifted his rehab assignment from High-A Jupiter to Triple-A New Orleans on Monday.

Urena gave up one run in 3.2 innings across three appearances with Jupiter in what marked his first competitive action since landing on the 60-day injured list in June with a herniated disc on the left side of his back. The Marlins are preparing to bring Urena back from the IL in a relief role, with the 27-year-old potentially getting a look as a closer in the final few weeks of the season. He'll likely make an appearance or two with New Orleans before presumably rejoining Miami when rosters expand Sunday.

Cueto (elbow) worked 4.1 innings Monday in his first rehab start at Triple-A Sacramento, giving up four runs (three earned) on six hits and no walks. He struck out three batters in the 65-pitch outing.

The start was Cueto's fifth overall in the minors after the Giants cleared him to begin the rehab assignment Aug. 4. According to Henry Schulman of the San Francisco Chronicle, Cueto said he wasn't satisfied with the results and doesn't feel ready to rejoin the Giants, though he noted that he felt "strong" physically. The 33-year-old, who is just under 13 months removed from Tommy John surgery, will presumably push up his pitch count in his next outing at Triple-A before potentially returning from the 60-day injured list in the second week of September.