MLB Player News

Reds starting pitcher Michael Lorenzen is still penciled in to start Sunday against the Dodgers. However, given his recent string of poor outings, the Reds could bump the right-hander from his next start.

"We're trying to figure out what's the best way to manage these last innings that he has," Reds manager Bryan Price said Wednesday, per MLB.com. "We knew this going into the season based on whether he was pitching effectively and pitching here, that inevitably he would run out of innings if we just kept giving him starts. I think at some point in time, he'll need to transition into the bullpen."

The 23-year-old Lorenzen is in his second pro season as a starter. He totaled 120 2/3 innings in 2014. He is up to 109 2/3 innings between the majors and minors this season, and Price revealed they want to limit his innings to 150-155.

"It's a balancing act at this point in time right now," Price said. "He's got a lot of room for growth and need for growth. We've asked a lot out of this kid. … this is his second [season as a starter] and he's had some really good moments, even though he's in a bit of a down spell right now. … but he's got some work to do. There's a lot of development that needs to take place in order for him to become the pitcher we know he'll be."

Dodgers starter Zack Greinke returned to form in his outing against the Nationals on Tuesday. The right-hander fired six scoreless innings, scattering six hits, while walking one and striking out six. The Dodgers went on to win the game 5-0, with Greinke picking up his 12th win of the year.

Greinke (12-2) lowered his ERA to an MLB-best 1.65 with the fine outing. He was coming off an uncharacteristic six-run outing his last time out, but he was back to his normal, stingy self on Tuesday.

Reds starter Michael Lorenzen was hammered for seven runs over 1 1/3 innings in Tuesday's 11-6 loss to the Padres. Lorenzen was forced to throw 55 pitches, while recording just four outs.

Lorenzen (3-8) watched his ERA sky rocket to 5.46 with the disaster outing. He allowed three runs in the first, and another four in the second inning before the Reds could even get comfortable.

This was Lorenzen's shortest start of the season, and he has allowed at least three earned runs in five consecutive starts, posting a 12.60 ERA in that stretch.

Padres rookie starter Colin Rea was solid in his first career MLB start on Tuesday. Rea limited the Reds to three earned runs on seven hits over five-plus innings. He walked one and struck out four. He also recorded his first hit at the plate and scored a run in the 11-6 victory.

Rea threw 75 pitches on the night, and was pulled after allowing the first man he faced to reach in the sixth. It was an impressive outing for the 24-year-old, who figures to get at least another turn in the rotation, as the Padres look to see what they have for the 2016 season.

Cardinals pitcher Carlos Martinez improved to 12-4 on the year with a win over Pittsburgh on Tuesday. 

Martinez pitched eight innings for the second time in four starts. He allowed three runs on nine hits. 

He didn't walk a batter for the second time in three starts and struck out eight, his most since July 8.

Marlins pitcher Justin Nicolino made his first start since June 26, Tuesday against Boston. 

Nicolino made his third career start and allowed four runs on nine hits in 5 2/3 innings. He left trailing, but the Marlins rallied to send the game to extra innings, allowing him to escape with a no-decision.

Braves rookie starter Williams Perez posted a solid outing against the Rays on Tuesday, throwing his first career complete game. Perez tossed eight innings, allowing two runs on four hits. He walked four and struck out one. But the Braves were unable to solve the Rays pitching, as they were shutout 2-0.

Perez (4-3, 4.21 ERA) did a good job of limiting the damage, despite the poor walk-to-strikeout ratio. The only runs he allowed came on a two-run homer by Kevin Kiermaier in the seventh inning.

Perez needed just 92 pitches--58 strikes--to get through the eighth. But he was outpitched by Erasmo Ramirez, who shut down the Braves' offense in this one.

This was a much-needed bounceback for the 24-year-old hurler. He had allowed a total of 14 earned runs in 10 1/3 innings over his previous two starts.

Padres right-hander Colin Rea was officially promoted to make his Major League debut, as he will start Tuesday's game against the Reds. 

Rea was a 12th-round draft pick by the Padres in 2011. He posted a 80:23 K:BB ratio in 18 starts between Double-A and Triple-A this season. 

The Marlins officially recalled starting pitcher Justin Nicolino from Triple-A New Orleans to start Tuesday against the Red Sox in place of Jose Fernandez, who was placed on the 15-day disabled list due to a right biceps strain.

Following his demotion to the minors in early July after a two-start stint with Miami, the left-hander went 3-4 with a 4.91 ERA in seven starts with New Orleans.

Rockies rookie pitcher Jon Gray is learning as a fledgling major leaguer. What he learned Monday night was that his bullpen is not very good.

Gray left after six innings of one-hit ball against the Mets in which he allowed one run with two walks and five strikeouts. He departed with a lead that the relievers turned into a no-decision and team defeat.

Only a Travis d'Arnaud home run in the second inning prevented Gray from hurling no-hit baseball in his second-ever start. He retired the Mets in order in the first, fourth and sixth.

Gray has yielded just three runs in 10 innings since his promotion, but has neither a loss nor a win on his ledger.