MLB Player News

Marlins starting pitcher Nate Eovaldi didn't have his best stuff Wednesday against the Phillies, but pitched well enough in spite of it in a 14-5 win.

Eovaldi stumbled out of the gate, allowing two runs in the first inning, though neither was charged to him thanks to a fielding error. He would allow just one more run in his final five innings of work, limiting the Phillies to three runs -- one earned -- on 10 hits in six innings. Eovaldi also struck out one batter and walked two on 110 pitches en route to the win.

Eovaldi was coming off his worst start of the season, so it was good to see him bounce back with a quality start. He is 3-2 with a 3.41 ERA in 10 starts heading into his next outing, set for Monday against the Nationals. 

The Marlins optioned pitcher Anthony DeSclafani to Triple-A New Orleans Wednesday, one day after he struggled in his second career start. A corresponding move is set to come Thursday.

DeSclafani pitched twice in Jose Fernandez's place after the latter's elbow injury, but had little experience above Class A before his callup, so this isn't much of a surprise. He allowed seven runs in 11 1/3 innings of work, and will be replaced in the rotation by veteran Randy Wolf.

Mets pitcher Jacob deGrom had trouble keeping the ball in the yard Wednesday, in a 4-3 loss to the Dodgers.

Though he managed to record his second quality start in as many attempts, deGrom still took the loss thanks to three solo home runs. He allowed  three runs on just four hits in six innings of work, while walking three batters and striking out four.

deGrom has been mostly solid since joining the rotation, though he has two loss in two starts to show for it. He should get at least one more turn in the rotation, set for Monday against the Pirates. 

Dodgers pitcher Hyun-Jin Ryu hardly looked like he missed a beat Wednesday against the Mets, in his return from the disabled list.

Ryu pitched six quality innings in the outing, and really only made one mistake in allowing a two-run home run in the sixth inning. He surrendered just two earned runs on nine hits and a walk, and added a season-high nine strikes on just 89 pitches.

Ryu has tossed a six innings or more in five of eight starts this season, and is now 4-2 with a 3.00 ERA. With his shoulder injury behind him, Ryu is set to make his next start Monday against the Reds.  

Cardinals pitcher Michael Wacha was the victim of some terrible luck Wednesday, as he was hit on the right elbow while in the dugout.

Wacha was hit by a foul ball on the elbow, and was pulled from the game as a precaution, the team announced. He has been diagnosed with a right elbow contusion, and no further details are known as of this point.

Wacha's injury derailed one of his best starts of the season, as he ha tossed six shutout innings on 88 pitches. He allowed two hit and three walks, while striking out four before exiting with a 1-0 lead.

Wacha's next start is set for Monday against the Yankees, though it remains to be seen if he will be able to take the mound. 

The Dodgers activated pitcher Hyun-Jin Ryu from the disabled list Wednesday, in time for his scheduled start against the Mets.

Ryu has been out since late April due to a shoulder injury, but had a 3.00 ERA in seven starts before hitting the DL. 

Looking ahead to Thursday, the Diamondbacks and Cardinals will close out their series with a pitching matchup that won't likely turn the heads of many Fantasy players. Lance Lynn has cooled off after a strong mid-April run, while Wade Miley and his near-5.00 ERA are starting in fewer than 20 percent of the leagues on CBSSports.com. Despite outward appearances, both pitchers should be on the radar of daily leaguers.

I featured both Lynn and Miley in my recent blog post on pitchers with lopsided home/road splits, and because the game will take place at pitcher-friendly Busch Stadium, both are worth considering as starts in daily leagues for this upcoming matchup. Though Lynn has not been a great source of ERA overall, he has a career 3.14 ERA at home to go along with a rate of a strikeout per inning. Miley probably won't provide as many Ks, but he can go deep into games and has a career 3.33 ERA away from Chase Field.

Neither is a reliable option for weekly leaguers, but in the right spots, each can be profitable for owners, both in weekly and daily formats.

Cubs pitcher Jason Hammel is dealing with a deep bone bruise, according to the Daily Herald.

Hammel was hit in the hand by a line drive during Tuesday's game, but managed to continue pitching. Though he said he thought his hand "exploded" when it was hit, Hammel is certain he'll make his next start. Hammel is set to start Sunday's game against the Padres.

Cubs pitcher Jason Hammel isn't worried about trade rumors, according to MLB.com.

Hammel is well aware of the team's tendency to flip veterans for prospects at the trade deadline, but he's only concerned about his current status. "I could care less," Hammel said. "I’m wearing blue pinstripes right now and I’m excited to be here. I don’t think about that kind of stuff." 

He added that he's happy to be in Chicago now, and just wants to win games with the team. "For right now, that’s all that matters to me," he said.

Hammel has a 2.91 ERA over 58 2/3 innings.

Cardinals starting pitcher Adam Wainwright twirled his finest start of the season Tuesday, downing the Diamondbacks in a 5-0 win.  

Wainwright tossed his second complete-game shutout of the season, and was even better this time around. He allowed a double with two out in the top of the fourth inning, but got out of the inning without trouble, and the Diamondbacks wouldn't touch him otherwise.

Wainwright faced just one more batter than the minimum in his complete game, allowing one hit. He also matched a season-high nine batters while striking out none on 115 pitches in the win.

Wainwright ranks in the top-5 in the National League in nearly every statistical category, including ERA (second; 1.85), WHIP (third; 0.86) and wins (first). He is 7-2 with a 1.85 ERA heading into his next start, Sunday against the Reds.