MLB Player News

Hamels was traded to the Cubs on Friday in exchange for Eddie Butler, Rollie Lacy and a player to be named later, Jay Cohen of the Chicago Daily Chronicle reports.

Hamels has struggled mightily throughout the 2018 campaign, posting the worst ERA of his career (4.72) over 20 starts this season. The Cubs are hoping the veteran lefty can improve their depleted rotation, as Yu Darvish (shoulder) and Drew Smyly (elbow) are still a ways off from a return to action. Hamels figures to slot in as the No. 4 starter until Chicago's pitching staff manages to become healthy.

Kershaw (4-5) picked up the win Friday, allowing one run on six hits over 7.2 innings while striking out eight as the Dodgers downed the Braves 4-1.

The southpaw was dominant on the mound, but he also made an impact at the plate, walking three times and driving in two runs with a single in his only official at-bat. Kershaw's now delivered five straight quality starts, posting a 1.95 ERA, 0.93 WHIP and 28:5 K:BB in 32.1 innings over that stretch with three of his four wins on the year. He'll look to continue his impressive run Thursday at home against the Brewers.

Wainwright (elbow) threw off a mound Friday, Jenifer Langosch of MLB.com reports.

The veteran right-hander's return to a mound was a long time coming, and it follows multiple weeks of playing catch on flat ground. Wainwright had originally hoped to make his return shortly after the All-Star break, but he ultimately didn't come close to meeting that goal. A minor-league rehab assignment is likely in the works at some point in the first half of August if he remains free of setbacks.

Wacha (oblique) is set to resume throwing Saturday, Jenifer Langosch of MLB.com reports.

While the news is naturally positive after Wacha was shut down for over a month, his potential return to action is still multiple weeks away. Langosch reports that Wacha will need at least a month to rebuild sufficient arm strength and stamina to take back his role in the starting rotation, and that's assuming there are no setbacks along the way.

Martinez (oblique) completed a planned bullpen session Friday and remains on target to start Monday against the Rockies, Jenifer Langosch of MLB.com reports.

While Martinez apparently got through the session without setbacks, a more definitive outlook of his status figures to be gleaned from how he feels over the weekend. The right-hander has been targeting Monday as a return date for several days, with the understanding that he'd have to be free of any residual soreness or discomfort in the 24-48 hours following bullpen work in order to be activated.

Davies (shoulder) will make a rehab start with Low-A Wisconsin on Friday night.

Things looked ominous for Davies when it was announced earlier this week he had suffered another setback in his recovery, but the latest issue was apparently nothing major. Davies won't prove he's out of the woods health-wise until he gets back on the mound, but assuming things go well Friday and moving forward, he could be back with the Brewers at some point in mid-August.

Darvish (shoulder) altered his mechanics in Friday's bullpen session and was reportedly throwing like he did in spring training, Sahadev Sharma of The Athletic Chicago reports.

He said he felt pain on the first 10 pitches he threw, but after changing his mechanics, the pain went away and the Cubs brass said he looked a lot better after the mechanical change. This is believed to be a positive step in his recovery. He threw 23 pitches Friday and will throw a couple more bullpen sessions before advancing to a simulated game. There are a lot of hurdles for him to clear before he returns to the big-league rotation.

Marquez was activated from the paternity list Friday, Jenny Cavnar of AT&T SportsNet Rocky Mountain reports.

He will start Sunday's game at home against the A's. Marquez should be avoided in most formats in his home starts, but his 3.15 ERA, 1.08 WHIP and 62 strikeouts in 60 innings on the road will play in almost any format.

Miley tossing five innings Thursday, taking the no-decision while yielding two runs on six hits and two walks while striking out one in the 7-5 win over the Giants.

The 31-year-old southpaw allowed both runs in the second frame, but threw a pretty clean outing besides that. Miley now owns an ugly 12:13 K:BB but a shiny 2.01 ERA alongside it. He'll look for his second win of the season Tuesday against the Dodgers.

Milone allowed three earned runs on eight hits and no walks while striking out six across five innings Thursday against the Marlins. He did not factor into the decision.

Milone made his first appearance of the season at the major-league level and limited damage by not allowing a home run or a walk. He managed to scatter eight hits -- including three extra-base hits -- and stranded three runners in scoring position. Even if injuries to Erick Fedde (shoulder) and Stephen Strasburg (neck) keep a rotation spot open for Milone, he has struggled extensively across the last two seasons, which makes it unlikely that he will be fantasy relevant in most formats.