MLB Player News

Nola allowed three runs -- just two earned -- on seven hits and two walks while striking out eight batters through 5.1 innings during Thursday's loss to Washington. He didn't factor in the decision.

After turning in a sterling 10-game stretch with a 1.71 ERA and 10.3 K/9, Nola had allowed 19 runs through 23.1 innings over his past four starts for a 7.33 ERA. It's probably wise not to overreact to his recent inconsistency because the 23-year-old righty's 148 innings are well above any number he's thrown in any other season as a professional. In fact, rebounding with this strong showing against a contender should be the focus -- especially for keeper/dynasty owners. Nola projects to make his next start against the Marlins at Citizens Bank Park.

Syndergaard (lat) allowed three runs on three hits over two innings in a rehab start for short-season Brooklyn on Thursday, Marc Carig of Newsday reports.

The results weren't great, but Syndergaard built up to 36 pitches -- doubling his pitch count from his first rehab outing -- with no reported issues. Chances are, the Mets will wait and see how Syndergaard responds in the coming days before announcing the next step. He would seem to stand a chance to return for a start or two this season, but the team has not said definitively that it will deploy Syndergaard in the rotation late in the year.

Walker (9-7) scored the win over the Dodgers on Wednesday, giving up one run on four hits and three walks over six innings while striking out four.

The right-hander has now won three straight starts and put together a stellar 0.79 ERA, 1.15 WHIP and 21:8 K:BB over his last four outings and 22.2 innings. As is typical for Walker, 2017 has been something of a roller coaster ride -- he hadn't won a game since June 21 prior to his current streak -- but there's been more peaks than valleys, and his 3.33 ERA on the year would be a career-best mark if he can maintain it. He'll next take the mound Tuesday at home against the Rockies.

Flaherty allowed one run on three hits and four walks over five innings Wednesday while striking out four but came away with a no-decision in a 3-1 win over the Padres.

The rookie had trouble finding the strike zone at times, but this was still a better outing for Flaherty than his debut last Friday. The Cardinals have a couple of days off coming up in their schedule, and with Adam Wainwright set to rejoin the rotation Monday, the 21-year-old will likely be shuffled back into the bullpen over the final weeks of the season. Expect Flaherty to make a strong case for a regular spot in spring training next year, however.

Freeland (11-10) took the loss against the Giants on Wednesday, giving up five runs (three earned) on seven hits and two walks over 3.1 innings while striking out four.

The unearned runs were the result of a rare defensive miscue by Nolan Arenado, and the Giants eventually won the game 11-3, so Freeland was hardly alone in his struggles. The left-hander has had a rough second half, posting a 4.95 ERA, 1.68 WHIP and 33:15 K:BB in 36.1 innings over eight games, and he hasn't recorded a win since the end of July. He'll be a risky fantasy play Monday on the road against the Diamondbacks.

Cueto (7-7) gave up one run on five hits and a walk while striking out seven over five innings, picking up the victory over the Rockies on Wednesday.

Fantasy owners may have understandably shied away from starting Cueto at Coors Field in just his second outing back from the disabled list, but those bold enough to activate him were rewarded with a solid showing. The 31-year-old's season has been marred by injuries and underwhelming results (4.43 ERA), but his excellent track record and healthy return from the DL (2.61 ERA and 4.5 K/BB ratio in two starts) make Cueto an intriguing asset down the stretch.

Maeda held the Diamondbacks to one run (zero earned) on four hits while walking one and striking out eight over five innings. He did not receive a decision in Wednesday's 3-1 loss.

Maeda fared much better against the Diamondbacks at home after getting shelled for seven runs in his previous start in Arizona. The 29-year-old's eight punchouts matched his high watermark for the year. He has been providing excellent strikeout totals over his last seven starts (11.1 K/9), despite carrying a pedestrian 3.86 ERA over that span. The Dodgers have been deploying a six-man rotation since Clayton Kershaw and Yu Darvish returned from the disabled list, so it is unclear if Maeda will stay on schedule with another start early next week, or if the club will revert to a traditional five-man setup as they lineup their starters for the postseason, according to J.P. Hoornstra of The Orange County Register.

Cole allowed two hits and four walks across eight scoreless innings Wednesday against the Cubs. He struck out eight and didn't factor into the decision.

Cole has been somewhat inconsistent as of late, but he fired his best start of the second-half Wednesday. The right-hander has now posted two scoreless outings in his last four starts, but he's conceded five runs in each of his other two outings. Cole did consistently strike batters out over that span, fanning 27 opponents in 27.1 innings. The 26-year-old, who owns a 3.93 ERA and 1.22 WHIP through 29 starts this season, is lined up for two starts next week, with his first start coming Monday against the Brewers.

Quintana allowed six hits and a walk while striking out six batters in six scoreless innings Wednesday against the Pirates. He didn't factor into the decision.

It was a strong start to the month for Quintana, who is coming off a disappointing August that saw him post a 5.73 ERA across six starts. He's now posted two straight quality starts -- both against the Pirates -- allowing three runs and striking out 15 batters over 12 innings during that stretch. Wednesday's outing, which was Quintana's first shutout since July 16 (eight starts), lowered his ERA to 4.32 through 28 starts this season. With an off-day Monday, Quintana will make his next start against the Mets on an extra day of rest.

Teheran (10-11) gave up five hits and issued five walks over just five innings Wednesday against Texas, though he was able to limit the damage to three runs and pick up the win.

Teheran's third consecutive win won't spruce this outing up at all, as he offered no ratio help whatsoever. The 26-year-old righty has utterly failed to build on last season's fine results, as he's on pace to post easily his worst ERA and WHIP since his rookie year.