MLB Player News

Diamondbacks starter Chase Anderson gave up one run on three hits over 5 1/3 innings, but he settled for a no decision in a game Arizona eventually lost to Philadelphia on Friday.

Anderson walked three and struck out three, throwing 104 pitches, 59 strikes.

Anderson lowered his ERA to 2.81. His next start is Wednesday, at Miami. 

Cubs starter Kyle Hendricks didn't blow a 7-1 lead Thursday against visiting Pittsburgh. But he sure blew enough of it to allow his relievers to complete the job and saddle him with a no-decision.

Hendricks allowed just one run - a solo homer by Pedro Alvarez - and three hits through five while his team was building a six-run lead. But he collapsed in the sixth after two outs, giving up two singles and three-run double. He finished having allowed five runs on eight hits with one walk and seven strikeouts.

With just one quality start under his belt this season and a 5.15 ERA, Hendricks will try again Thursday in San Diego.

Could the Cubs and Mets be trade partners in the near future? The two do seem to be a perfect pair for a deal this summer, as the Cubs have a plethora of young hitters and they really like the Mets' stock of young pitching.

And, as CBSSports.com Baseball Insider Jon Heyman reports, the Cubs were supposedly watching the Mets' minor league teams recently. The Cubs are particularly interested in Noah Syndergaard, who made his MLB debut on Tuesday at Wrigley Field. 

It remains to be seen if the two teams are able to strike a deal prior to the July 31 deadline. 

Pirates pitcher Charlie Morton will be leaving his current rehab assignment and will throw a bullpen session on Saturday in Chicago, manager Clint Hurdle said. The team will discuss next steps following the session, according to the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette

Morton is working his way back from labrum surgery and pitched well in his rehab start on Thursday, throwing his fastball between 88-92mph, according to the Pittsburgh Tribune-Review. 

Morton could be nearing a return to the rotation. He hasn't thrown a big-league pitch since September 16.

Rockies pitcher Jordan Lyles underwent multiple treatments on his injured hand Thursday and hopes to make his next scheduled start, MLB.com reports.

"If they [doctors and trainers] say long-term it's going to cause damage or I'm just not effective enough to pitch in a major league game, I'll change my mindset," Lyles said.

Lyles suffered the injury on a comebacker in the first inning of Wednesday's game against the Angels. He owns a 4.30 ERA and 21:17 K:BB ratio in 37 2/3 innings.

Reds starter Johnny Cueto struck out nine in seven innings but ended up with a no decision on Thursday against San Francisco. 

"He found his game, and he was tough. I don't think we took full advantage of him early," Giants manager Bruce Bochy said, per MLB.com.

Cueto allowed two runs on five hits, while walking three. He threw 114 pitches, 71 for strikes and was called for a balk. 

Cueto's ERA stands at 2.93. His next start is scheduled for Wednesday, at Kansas City. 

Pirates pitcher Charlie Morton allowed two runs (one earned) on 11 hits in seven innings while striking out eight in his rehab debut with Triple-A Indianapolis on Thursday.

Morton threw 96 pitches (68 strikes) in the start, his second straight lasting seven innings after doing so with Double-A Altoona last week. The pitcher is on his way back from labrum surgery and could factor into the major-league rotation as early as next week.

Nationals pitcher Stephen Strasburg had a bullpen session on Thursday, to work on mechanics. 

In his last start, Strasburg was rocked for eight runs--seven earned--on eight hits in 3 1/3 innings. After the bullpen session, Strasburg blamed the start on poor pitch selection and bad mechanics, per MLB.com. 

"There are some things I'm working through. I think in the long run, I'm going to look back on this, I'll think of it as a blessing," Strasburg said. "I go through times like this. You do your best to stay positive, to be at peace in all situations. ... I'm trying to keep getting better. I know there is light at the end of the tunnel. I will continue to work hard to help this team win as many games as we can.

"The thing is, you have to go out there and execute the pitches, and even then you have to have a game plan. These are good hitters, and they are going to try and think with you. You just have to be on top of your game in that department. At the same time, I know the ability and the stuff that I have. As long as I go out there and execute pitches the way I know I can, I'll be OK."

Cardinals stud starter Michael Wacha pitched like one Thursday in Cleveland. But he didn't pitch like one for long enough.

The Indians used patience at the plate to make Wacha throw 105 pitches in five-plus innings, after which he was removed in a no-decision.

Wacha worked out of jams to keep the Indians down to one run on five hits. He walked two and struck out seven. He allowed a home run to Michael Brantley and double to Brandon Moss to start the sixth, forcing his removal.

He was saved from his first defeat when his team took the lead in the eighth.

Wacha will try to raise his record to 6-0 and lower a fine 2.06 ERA next Tuesday against the host Mets.

Pirates pitcher Vance Worley allowed three runs — one earned — during Thursday afternoon's 4-2 loss to the Phillies. 

Worley went only four innings and two of the runs allowed were due to errors. However, he tossed 81 pitches over those four innings while striking out zero. He gave up eight hits and one walk. 

Worley has had a tough time striking out batters of late as this is his second consecutive start without a strikeout. He now holds a 4.38 ERA. 

His next start is projected for May 20 against the Twins.