MLB Player News

Marlins rookie starter Justin Nicolino was impressive Monday night against the Mets, but was ultimately left with a no-decision in the 4-3 loss. Nicolino allowed three runs on six hits over six innings.

Nicolino pitched well, but the Mets' power was on display as home runs by Yoenis Cespedes (solo) and Travis d'Arnaud (two-run shot) accounted for all of the damage against the young left-hander. 

Though he did not get a win, Nicolino showed improvement over his last start, when he allowed five runs in 4 1/3 innings to the Brewers. Aside from that outing however, Nicolino has been a pleasant surprise for the Marlins, as he posted a 1.98 ERA in four starts prior to last week's start against Milwaukee.

The Padres have scratched rookie Colin Rea from his Sunday start with soreness in his forearm and elbow, per MLB.com. Odrisamer Despaigne will take the mound instead.

Rea is winless in his last five starts, but has recorded a respectable 4.22 ERA.

When the Phillies search for bright lights in this season of darkness, perhaps one of them will be rookie starter Jerad Eickhoff.

The right-hander managed his fourth quality start in five outings with an excellent performance against the tough Cubs on Saturday. He yielded one run on three hits in seven innings and would have gained the victory had the bullpen not blown a four-run lead. Eickhoff walked three and whiffed a career-high eight.

His lone hiccup wound up over the fence in the third inning, courtesy of fellow rookie Kyle Schwarber.

Eickhoff lowered his ERA to 3.90 with his fine effort.

Brewers rookie pitcher Zach Davies couldn't find the plate Saturday in Pittsburgh. The result was predictable.

Davies, who was coming off a no-walk effort in Miami, allowed five free passes in just 3 2/3 innings against the Pirates. He also surrendered six runs on six hits to absorb his first career defeat.

The right-hander survived two doubles in the first two innings, then lost it in the third as the first six batters he faced reached base and five runs scored. An RBI double by Aramis Ramirez in the fourth doomed him to an early exit.

Davies now owns a 6.60 ERA in three starts.

Braves starter Williams Perez posted his second consecutive quality outing, as he allowed three runs on eight hits over six innings in a loss to the Mets on Saturday. Perez walked three and struck out three, throwing 54 of 86 pitches for strikes.

Perez was handed a 1-0 lead in the first inning, but he allowed the Mets to scratch across two runs in the fourth--thanks in-part to a pair of wild pitches. The Mets tacked on another in the sixth to take a 4-1 lead.

But the Braves rallied to tie the game, only to wind up losing the affair by a score of 6-4. Perez did not factor in the final decision.

Over his last six starts, Perez is 1-3 with a 7.94 ERA.

Mets rookie starter Noah Syndergaard looked awfully sharp in his outing against the Braves on Saturday. The big right-hander allowed one run on two hits over seven strong innings. He walked one and struck out eight, but was left with a no-decision in the 6-4 win.

Syndergaard, who lowered his ERA to 3.20, gave up a run the first inning. But he was superb the rest of the way, retiring 11 batters in a row at one point. He departed the game with the Mets leading 4-1, but the bullpen allowed the Braves to tie up the score.

The Mets skipped Syndergaard's previous turn in the rotation in an effort to keep his innings down. It seemed to work, as he looked refreshed and recharged on Saturday. 

Cardinals starter Lance Lynn rebounded from a dreadful effort his last time out to post a quality start against the Reds on Saturday. 

Lynn held the Reds to three runs on four hits over six innings. He walked three and struck out three and pitched very well for much of the game. He held a 1-0 lead heading into the fifth inning. But he served up a three-run home run to former Cardinal, Skip Schumaker. The Cardinals went on to the 5-1 loss.

Lynn (11-10, 3.17 ERA) was rocked for six runs in 2 1/3 innings in his previous start, so this was a sure sign of relief for the Cardinals. 

Reds starter Anthony DeSclafani was terrific in his outing against the Cardinals on Saturday. The rookie right-hander struck out 10, allowing one run and four hits over six innings. He walked just one batter and threw 64 of his 100 pitches for strikes in the 5-1 victory.

DeSclafani (9-10, 3.67 ERA) allowed a run in the top of the first, but was superb the rest of the way, as he was able to handle the top team in baseball. 

Over his last four starts, DeSclafani is 2-2 with a 2.08 ERA. 

Diamondbacks starter Robbie Ray went his typical five innings Friday against the Dodgers, but didn't have to sweat out the rest of the game. Leads of 11-0 tend to take the tension away.

Ray pitched shutout ball on two hits and three walks. He struck out a pair. He escaped jams in the second and third in breaking a personal seven-game losing streak.

The left-hander has not made it through the sixth inning in any of his last four outings.

Who would like to have his Friday night start back? Alex Wood would.

The Dodgers left-hander was absolutely mashed at Arizona. He surrendered eight runs in 1 2/3 innings before his merciful removal. He walked one and fanned one.

Wood faltered from the start and never recovered. He allowed a three-run homer to Welington Castillo and RBI trible to Chris Owings in the first and two-run homer to Paul Goldschmidt in the second. The two runners he left on base also crossed the plate.

He had allowed no more than three runs in any of his previous six starts. But his Friday dud lowed his record to 10-10 and raised his ERA from 3.51 to 3.81.