MLB Player News

Martinez tossed a perfect ninth inning Saturday to record his first save of the season in a 7-4 win over the Cubs.

Jordan Hicks worked two innings the night before, and Cards manager Mike Shildt used the opportunity to give Martinez some high-leverage work. The right-hander hasn't been particularly sharp in a relief role since coming off the IL, posting a 3.86 ERA, 1.14 WHIP and 5:4 K:BB through seven innings, but he's averaging 96.5 mph -- nearly three ticks better than last year's velocity -- and should settle in as one of the team's top setup options.

Flaherty didn't factor into the decision in Saturday's 7-4 win over the Cubs, giving up two runs on four hits over five innings while striking out eight.

Solo homers by Anthony Rizzo and Jason Heyward accounted for all the damage against Flaherty, and a three-plus-hour rain delay ended his night after 77 pitches (56 strikes). The right-hander will take a 3.76 ERA and 73:20 K:BB through 64.2 innings into his next start Friday -- a road rematch with the Cubbies.

Quintana didn't factor into the decision in Saturday's 7-4 loss to the Cardinals, allowing two runs on four hits and a walk over four innings while striking out six.

The score was tied 2-2 when the game was suspended for more than three hours due to rain, squelching any chance Quintana might have had at picking up his fifth win of the year. The southpaw will carry a 3.78 ERA and 62:20 K:BB through 66.2 innings into his next start Thursday, at home against the Rockies.

Greinke pitched four innings in a no-decision against the Mets on Saturday, allowing four runs on seven hits and a walk. He struck out two as Arizona won 6-5 in extra innings.

Greinke needed 80 pitches to get through the start, in which he was unusually generous with baserunners. It's the first time since April 9 the right-hander has allowed four or more runs. For the year, Greinke has a 3.09 ERA, 0.93 WHIP and 75 strikeouts over 81.2 innings. He will look to get back on track against the Blue Jays on Friday.

Irvin pitched 3.2 innings, allowing two runs on four hits and a walk and striking out five batters in Saturday's 4-3 loss to the Dodgers.

Irvin was on the hook for the loss until Bryce Harper's two-run homer in the eighth inning tied the game at 3-3. Irvin has a 5.48 ERA and 1.27 WHIP with 18 strikeouts over 21.1 innings this season. It's unclear if Zach Eflin (back) will make his next projected start Friday versus the Reds -- if Eflin is unable to go, the rookie Irvin may be given the nod in his place.

Urias (3-2) allowed two runs on one hit over two innings but picked up the win in Saturday's 4-3 victory over the Phillies.

Urias got into trouble when he plunked Jean Segura and then allowed a game-tying home run to Bryce Harper on his very next pitch. He kept things clean in the ninth inning and was bailed out by catcher Will Smith's walkoff solo shot. Urias has 36 strikeouts, a 3.78 ERA and 1.11 WHIP over 33.1 innings this year.

Kershaw allowed one run on six hits while striking out six over seven innings in a no-decision against the Phillies on Saturday.

Kershaw turned in a vintage performance before reliever Julio Urias gave up a two-run homer to Bryce Harper to deny Kershaw the win. The 31-year-old left-hander has allowed two or fewer runs in five of his nine starts this year, posting a 3.20 ERA and 1.05 WHIP in 59 innings. Kershaw carries a 5-0 record into Friday's start in San Francisco.

DeGrom was removed from Saturday's start against the Diamondbacks with an apparent hip injury, Mike Puma of the New York Post reports.

DeGrom was visited by an athletic trainer during the seventh inning and initially stayed in the game, but he exited accompanied by said trainer after giving up a double to the next hitter. The 30-year-old allowed one run on five hits across 6.2 innings and had seven strikeouts with one walk. The specifics and severity of the injury are not yet known.

Woodruff allowed six runs on 10 hits with five strikeouts and two walks across four innings in a no-decision against the Pirates on Saturday.

While Woodruff managed to avoid the loss, the Brewers spotted him a five-run lead, so it was rather disappointing he wasn't able to hold it. The 26-year-old started slowly at the beginning of the season, but he hadn't yielded more than two runs in any of his previous six starts before Saturday. The 10 hits Woodruff allowed was a season high too. Overall, he remains 7-1 and now owns a 3.82 ERA, 1.20 WHIP and 80 strikeouts in 68.1 innings this season. Woodruff will have another shot against the Pirates on Friday in his next start.

Soroka (6-1) earned the win Saturday versus the Tigers by allowing four runs (three earned) on seven hits over 6.2 innings. He struck out five and walked none.

It's the first time Soroka has allowed more than one earned run in a start this season. He likely would have been able to finish seven innings, but he was pulled after giving up an unearned run on a triple from Niko Goodrum with two outs in the seventh. The 21-year-old has a 1.41 ERA, 0.91 WHIP and 51:15 K:BB through 57.1 innings and lines up to pitch Friday at Miami.