MLB Player News

Velasquez got a no-decision against Tampa Bay on Friday, scattering four hits over 6.2 innings, giving up just one earned run, while recording seven strikeouts and walking one.

After he gave up four runs and lasted just 2.2 innings in his first start of the season against the Braves, Velasquez has bounced back with back-to-back sharp outings that have seen him give up just two earned runs, strike out 13 and walk two in 12.2 innings. Velasquez can be a frustrating case, as he's shown flashes like this current stretch before that make him seem like he's on his way to being a consistent fantasy option. He could still work his way into becoming one if he can build off this strong pair of starts, but the 4.48 ERA he's posted in his career suggests that he's a streaming option for the time being.

Lyles could make a spot start Monday against the Dodgers, Jeff Sanders of The San Diego Union-Tribune reports.

With Luis Perdomo opting to serve his five-game suspension immediately, Monday's start is up for grabs. Lyles used to be a starter, but has primarily served in the bullpen the past three seasons. He's produced a 1.93 ERA and a 0.86 WHIP through 9.1 innings pitched this season, so he certainly is making a case for a larger role. If he doesn't get the spot start, Robbie Erlin and Walker Lockett seem like the other logical candidates to fill the void.

Gore is on the 7-day disabled list with Low-A Fort Wayne due to a blister on his left middle finger, Jeff Sanders of The San Diego Union-Tribune reports.

Gore was apparently hampered by the injury during spring training, but he did manage to make a start this season even with the injury. It's unclear how long he'll be out of action, though blisters can prove to be troublesome for pitchers in some instances.

Darvish (0-1) lasted just 4.2 innings Wednesday against the Braves, allowing four runs on nine hits and four walks to take the loss. He struck out four.

The majority of the damage came on a three-run homer off the bat of Preston Tucker in the fifth inning, though a run also scored earlier in the frame on a wild pitch. Darvish has now allowed a home run in each of his three starts and has a 6.00 ERA and a 1.53 WHIP on the season, which is certainly not what Cubs fans hoped for when the team brought him in on a lucrative six-year deal over the offseason. He'll look to right the ship in his next scheduled start Wednesday against the Cardinals.

Smoker was optioned to Triple-A Indianapolis on Friday.

The southpaw made five appearances for the Pirates on the young season, but he was shelled in his most recent appearance, allowing four runs in 1.1 frames Wednesday. He'll head back to the minors with Clay Holmes to allow fresh arms to play in Pittsburgh. Smoker's big-league experience could have him returned to the big leagues soon, but for now, he'll be relegated to the Triple-A bullpen.

The Mets are listing Wheeler as their probable starter for Tuesday's game against the Nationals, Matt Kelly of MLB.com reports.

Though Jason Vargas (hand) tossed 85 pitches in a simulated game Thursday and looks to be closing in on a return from the 10-day disabled list, he won't claim a rotation spot just yet after Wheeler submitted a gem in his spot start Wednesday against the Marlins. Wheeler gave up just one run while allowing two hits and a walk and striking out seven across seven frames to claim the victory and boost the Mets to an MLB-best 10-1 record. The Mets will give Wheeler an opportunity to build on the performance, but he'll face a far tougher test Tuesday against a Washington offense that owns a .728 team OPS entering play Friday, a mark 131 points higher than the Marlins'.

Soroka gave up two runs on five hits over 5.2 innings while striking out eight for Triple-A Gwinnett in Thursday's loss to Rochester.

The right-hander came away with a no-decision, but otherwise it was another outstanding performance. Soroka threw 55 of 78 pitches for strikes and now has a 13:1 K:BB through his first 10.2 innings at Triple-A, showing the same sharp command he did at the lower levels of the minors. The Braves have no reason to rush him -- the 20-year-old isn't even on the 40-man roster yet -- so Soroka may have to content himself with dominating the International League for the next few months, but from a talent and skills standpoint he appears to be more than ready for his big-league debut.

Wacha (2-1) allowed three earned runs on five hits while walking three and striking out five across five innings to earn the win against the Reds on Thursday.

Despite a pedestrian line, Wacha flashed positive skill in his Thursday start, inducing 11 swinging strikes and keeping six of the 10 balls put in play on the ground. His control remains a concern as he has now surrendered 10 free passes in 14.2 innings pitched. Given the weakened Cincinnati lineup -- they were without Joey Votto as well as Eugenio Suarez and Scott Schebler -- it would have been nice to see more out of Wacha's final line, but this outing still has to be considered positive overall.

Cueto (ankle) reported Thursday that he's currently unsure if he'll be able to make his scheduled start Tuesday against the Diamondbacks, John Shea of the San Francisco Chronicle reports.

Cueto threw off flat ground Thursday but attested to feeling some lingering pain in his injured left ankle. He said he's been improving each day but can't say for sure if he'll be ready to take the mound Tuesday when he's eligible to come off the DL. Cueto is scheduled to throw batting practice Saturday, which will provide another update on how his ankle is holding up.

Hendricks (0-1) was a tough-luck loser Thursday against the Pirates, as he allowed just two earned runs over six innings of work. He gave up five hits and three walks while striking out seven.

Hendricks was good but Pittsburgh starter Trevor Williams was just a little better, holding the Cubs to a single run in his six innings of work. All of the damage against Hendricks came on a pair of solo home runs, and he's now given up four home runs through his first three starts. On a more positive note, the seven strikeouts more than doubled his season total. Hendricks will look to keep pitching well and hopefully get his first win of the season Tuesday against the Cardinals at home.