MLB Player News

Cardinals starter Carlos Martinez struck out eight, but allowed three runs on 10 hits over five innings in a no-decision against the Cubs on Wednesday. The young right-hander walked just one, but was fortunate to not let the game get out of hand with the high amount of baserunners.

All three runs Martinez allowed came within the first two innings. But he was forced to throw a lot of pitches, totaling 99 over his five innings of work. The Cardinals went on to beat the Cubs 4-3.

Martinez has now given up at least three earned runs in seven of his last eight starts following Wednesday's performance.

Mets starter Steven Matz threw a bullpen session on Wednesday, and has been declared good to go for his start on Friday against the Braves, according to ESPN.com.

Matz had to leave his previous start last weekend due to a blister on his finger. But he is reportedly fine and ready to make his fourth big-league start on Friday.

Dodgers pitcher Clayton Kershaw continued to show why he is one of the best pitchers in the major leagues during Tuesday's 6-4 win over the Angels.

Kershaw allowed two runs (one earned) over seven innings of work. He also struck out eight and walked two. His lone mistake was giving up a solo home run to Kole Calhoun in the first inning.

He improved to 13-6 with a 2.15 ERA. The last time Kershaw lost a start was on June 27.

The Cubs activated relief pitcher Neil Ramirez from the 15-day disabled list and recalled pitcher Yoervis Medina from Triple-A Iowa on Tuesday, the team announced.

Mets right-hander Noah Syndergaard is scheduled to start Saturday's game at Atlanta, reports ESPNNewYork.com. Syndergaard did not make his last start to give him some rest.

The Marlins recalled reliever Scott McGough and claimed first baseman Tommy Medica off waivers from the Padres on Tuesday, according to the Miami Herald.

Miami also transferred starting pitcher Henderson Alvarez to the 60-day disabled list.

The Reds activated outfielders Brennan Boesch (ankle) and Billy Hamilton (shoulder) from the 15-day disabled list Tuesday. 

They also recalled Tony Cingrani, Brandon Finnegan, Josh Smith and Kris Negron from Triple-A Louisville.

An effort to limit innings will keep Pirates ace Gerrit Cole from making his scheduled start Thursday, per the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette. A.J. Burnett, who is returning from a stint on the disabled list, will pitch instead.

Cole has thrown a career-high 180 2/3 innings. But they have, for the most part, been wonderful innings. He is 16-8 with a 2.54 ERA and 175 strikeouts.

The right-hander will likely start next Tuesday in a doubleheader against the Cubs.

After making it through a bullpen session Sunday without any issues, the Nationals announced Monday that Stephen Strasburg will pitch Wednesday in the series finale against the Mets, per The Washington Post. 

Strasburg left his last start on Aug. 30 with tightness in his back, and after treatment, rest and the bullpen throwing, the Nationals have proclaimed the pitcher ready to go. 

"He's slated to pitch Wednesday, barring some kind of setback or feeling something," manager Matt Williams said. 

Cardinals starting pitcher Adam Wainwright threw a light bullpen session on Monday, according to the St. Louis Post-Dispatch.

Wainwright is on the 60-day disabled list with an Achilles and ankle injury.