MLB Player News

Martinez (illness) is expected to make his scheduled start Thursday against the Reds, the St. Louis Post-Dispatch reports.

The Cardinals sent Martinez home last Sunday, as they did not want the flu-like bug he was dealing with to spread. Manager Mike Matheny provided an update Tuesday, saying Martinez has already improved and will join the team in Cincinnati to start on schedule. Martinez struggled against the Cubs his last time out, and he's had a tough time with the Reds in two starts this season, allowing nine earned runs on 10 hits over 11.1 innings. Regardless, most owners will want to keep him active.

Marquez allowed three runs on eight hits and a walk over six innings Tuesday while striking out five but didn't factor into the decision in a 4-3 loss to the Giants.

It's the rookie righty's first quality start in four outings and he's been showing signs of fatigue in September, posting a 5.95 ERA and 1.78 WHIP on the month. With the Rockies clinging to a one-game lead over the Brewers for the second wild-card spot in the NL, however, the team can't afford to give Marquez any extra rest. He'll next take the mound Sunday in San Diego.

Cueto held the Rockies to two runs on seven hits over 6.2 innings Tuesday. He walked four and struck out six while receiving a no-decision in a 4-3 walkoff win.

Cueto danced around trouble all night, needing three double plays to escape with his first quality start in September. The 31-year-old issued four walks for the second straight outing, but he was far more efficient this time around, throwing 71 of his 105 pitches for strikes. This was a rare bright spot in a season filled with disappointment, so fantasy owners should tread lightly in Cueto's next start on the road against a dangerous Arizona lineup Monday.

Flaherty went only two-plus innings in Tuesday's start against the Reds, allowing two runs on three hits and a walk with two strikeouts. He didn't factor into the decision.

Manager Mike Matheny pinch hit for him in the top of the third, showing a distinct lack of faith in the rookie right-hander. Of course, Flaherty hasn't earned it, having posted a 6.46 ERA and 1.70 WHIP over his first four big-league starts -- a far cry from his impeccable work in the minors this season (2.18 ERA, 1.04 WHIP, 8.9 K/9 in 25 starts split between Double-A and Triple-A). His future's bright, but it doesn't look like owners will get much of anything from Flaherty in what remains of this season even if he continues to hold a rotation spot.

Despaigne gave up three runs on six hits and a walk while striking out just two over six innings in Tuesday's no-decision against the Mets.

The Marlins ended up winning in 10, but Despaigne was long gone by then -- and surely grateful to his offense for bailing him out from a 3-1 deficit. All the damage against the Cuban righty came on a pair of homers by the Mets: one by Jose Reyes to lead off the game, then a two-run shot by Travis d'Arnaud in the fifth. Despaigne had given up just a single long ball over his first 39.1 innings this season, but with a hideous 22:23 K:BB, he's not exactly showing signs of developing into a meaningful fantasy asset.

Darvish didn't factor into the decision Tuesday in Philadelphia despite allowing just one unearned run on four hits with one walk and seven strikeouts over 5.1 innings.

The only damage against Darvish came after a Cody Bellinger error opened the door for a Rhys Hoskins RBI single in the sixth inning that put runners on first and second while ending the right-hander's night. He was bailed out by the bullpen in that inning, but Philadelphia struck for four runs in the next inning to erase the possibility of a Darvish win. Darvish's next start Monday against the league-worst Padres offense could be a dominant one.

Lugo gave up just a single run on four hits and a walk while striking out three over five innings Tuesday against Miami. He didn't factor into the decision in what turned out to be a 10-inning loss.

After getting blown up at Wrigley his last time out, Lugo needed a positive outing. After all, he's had precious few of those this season, as he's managed just five quality starts in 16 tries. Incredibly, despite his horrendous ratios, Lugo actually has a better FIP now (4.13) than last season (4.33). His 2016 rookie debut included a run of great luck, and now we've seen him get quite unlucky; what lies in the middle is a mediocre pitcher who can only be used selectively in fantasy.

Nola (12-10) got the win Tuesday against the Dodgers after allowing two runs on five hits with two walks and eight strikeouts over seven innings.

Nola has now posted quality starts in 13 of his past 17 outings while adding a fabulous 128:31 K:BB over 111 innings in that span. He fell behind 2-0 through four innings, but Nola's ability to work deep into the contest paid off when Philadelphia's four-run seventh put him in position for the victory. The 24-year-old ace next takes the mound Monday against Washington, and should be a solid option despite the tough matchup considering he's 8-2 in his last 10 home starts.

Williams (6-9) allowed one run across five innings while taking a loss Tuesday against the Brewers, yielding three hits with two walks and six strikeouts.

Williams was able to scatter baserunners effectively, but he was victimized for a solo home run by Domingo Santana in the fourth inning. Unfortunately, Chase Anderson delivered a gem on the other end, sinking Williams to his ninth loss. Still, he's gone at least five innings while allowing two earned runs or fewer in four of his last five starts ahead of his next turn, which lines up for Tuesday against the Orioles.

Anderson (11-3) tossed six scoreless innings to earn the win Tuesday against the Pirates, allowing five hits with no walks and eight strikeouts.

Anderson was in the strike zone at a 66 percent clip, including first-pitch strikes to 15 of 23 batters faced. He induced just two goundball outs, but he consistently induced weak contact, which he supplemented with his second-best strikeout total of the season. Anderson has been particularly sharp of late, allowing just one earned run across 16.1 innings over his last three starts. He will take a sterling 2.74 ERA into Sunday's start against the Cubs.