MLB Player News

Mets rookie pitcher Steven Matz overcame a blister issue to make the start on Friday against the Braves. The young left-hander lasted five innings and allowed a run on six hits while earning his third win of the season.

Matz (3-0, 1.88 ERA) walked two and struck out two, and gave up a solo home run to Daniel Castro for the only damage done against him.

It was a grind for Matz, as he had baserunners on in each of his five innings. But he was able to get timely double plays while avoiding any big trouble.

Matz left his last start on Sunday due to a blister. But it was never thought to be a serious problem and Matz should be fine to go for the rest of the season.

Cubs starter Kyle Hendricks earned his seventh win of the season in Game 2 of Friday's doubleheader against the Phillies. Hendricks allowed three runs on four hits over 6 2/3 innings. He walked two and struck out five in the 7-3 victory.

Hendricks (7-6, 4.08 ERA) scattered the three runs across the fourth, fifth and seventh innings. But he was backed by plenty of offense as the Cubs coasted to the sweep of the twinbill.

Phillies rookie starter Alec Asher was hammered for six runs on seven hits over five innings in a 7-3 loss to the Cubs on Friday. Asher was starting the second game of a doubleheader and was unable to contain a dangerous Cubs offense in this one.

Asher (0-3, 10.67 ERA) has now made three starts in his young career and has given up at least four runs in all of his outings. 

A fourth consecutive defeat seemed quite possible for Pirates starter Charlie Morton when Brewers slugger Adam Lind slammed a two-run homer off him in the first inning Friday night.

Morton, however, settled down and ended up with his ninth victory instead. He pitched shutout ball over the next five innings and finished having given up just three hits with two walks and two strikeouts.

The right-hander did not yield a hit after Logan Schafer singled to lead off the second.

Despite the three-game losing streak, Morton now has five quality starts in his last six outings and has shrunk his ERA to 4.02.

The Phillies and Cubs will play a doubleheader Friday to make up Thursday's contest, which was postponed because of rain, the teams announced.

With Friday featuring a doubleheader, the Phillies will start pitcher Adam Morgan in Game 1 on and Alec Asher in Game 2, the team announced.

Meanwhile, the Cubs will turn to Jake Arrieta for Game 1 on Friday and Kyle Hendricks for Game 2, reports MLB.com. They will be followed by Dan Haren, who will draw Saturday's start.

Mets pitcher Zack Wheeler has not suffered a setback in his recovery from arm surgery and remains on progress to pitch next season, reports ESPN.com.

Wheeler is on pace to return in June or July of 2016. Wheeler had Tommy John surgery in March, but he has been able to throw off flat ground from 70-75 feet recently.

Mets manager Terry Collins said Thursday the team will not skip pitcher Jacob deGrom when it is his turn to pitch in September, reports ESPNNewYork.com.

However, deGrom may have one of his starts pushed back, but he is scheduled to start Tuesday's game against the Marlins.

Mets starter Jacob deGrom was locked in a pitcher's duel with Stephen Strasburg and came out on top in a critical start for New York. 

deGrom gave up five hits over seven innings of work, with his lone mistake a first-inning home run to Bryce Harper. He settled down after that and finished with nine strikeouts. 

The Mets starter is 4-1 over his last 10 starts and has maintained his ERA at 2.40. 

Stephen Strasburg has arguably his best start of the season in one of his team's biggest games, but wound up receiving a tough loss as the Nationals suffered a sweep at the hands of the Mets. 

Strasburg (8-7) returned from a back injury and was sharp, going 7 1/3 innings of strong work, striking out 13 batters while walking just one. His only mistakes were two solo home runs, the last of which tied the game at 2-2. The last inherited runner came around to score, giving Strasburg the defeat. 

When the Dodgers open their three-game series Friday at Arizona, they will do so with pitcher Alex Wood on the mound, reports TrueBlueLA.com.

The team will then turn to Mike Bolsinger on Saturday, with Zack Greinke concluding the series Sunday. As a result, Brett Anderson had his start pushed back to Tuesday's game against the Rockies. Clayton Kershaw will open the Colorado series Monday.