MLB Player News

Braves starter Julio Teheran turned in a solid outing but suffered the loss Friday night against the Nationals.

Teheran (3-2) surrendered a sacrifice fly in the first inning, allowed a run to score on a fielder's choice in the second and a sacrifice fly in the sixth. He was charged with three runs on seven hits and a walk while striking out nine in 6 2/3 innings of a 3-2 loss.

Teheran has allowed three runs or fewer in each of his last seven starts. He has a 2.49 ERA over that span. The right-hander is scheduled to make his next start Wednesday at home against the Pirates.

Nationals manager Davey Johnson told reporters after Friday's game that starter Stephen Strasburg has a strained right oblique.

Strasburg told The Washington Post that his oblique has been "nagging" him for the past couple of starts. The 24-year-old was unable to make it past two innings Friday against the Braves. He is scheduled to fly back to Washington D.C. to be examined by a team doctor, according to Comcast SportsNet Washington.

Phillies starter Cole Hamels suffered his ninth loss of the season Friday night against the Brewers.

Hamels (1-9) had a hard time retiring catcher Jonathan Lucroy, who had a run-scoring double in the second, an RBI single in the third and a solo home run in the fifth. The left-hander surrendered seven runs -- six earned -- on 12 hits while striking out three in five innings of an 8-5 defeat.

Hamels had just six losses last season and has not lost more than 11 games in a season. He is scheduled to make his next start Wednesday at home against the Marlins. He is 0-2 with a 2.25 ERA in three starts against Miami.

Reds starter Johnny Cueto threw eight shutout innings, allowing one hit while striking out six and walking one in a 6-0 victory Friday over the Pirates. He is 13-4 against the Pirates in his career.

Cueto (3-0) has allowed four runs combined over his first three starts (20 innings) since returning from the disabled list. His next start is Wednesday at home against Colorado. He is 1-0 with a 2.25 ERA in three starts at home.

Nationals starter Stephen Strasburg left Friday's start against the Braves after two innings with a muscular issue in his back, a source told The Washington Post.

Strasburg surrendered a solo home run to Freddie Freeman in the second inning. He permitted the run on two hits while striking out two in two innings. The Nationals have not provided specific details regarding the injury. His status for Thursday's start at home against the Mets is unknown.

Diamondbacks starter Wade Miley fell to 3-5 with a loss Friday against the Cubs.

Miley served up seven runs in the first three innings, but he recovered enough to finish seven innings. He allowed seven hits and two walks. One positive from the start: Miley struck out seven. His ERA rose to 5.01.

By now, you shouldn't even have to debate whether or not to pick up the Cardinals' Michael Wacha. For players with his upside, it's automatic. They don't always meet their potential right away. In fact, they usually don't. But you'll benefit so much from that one in six times they do (completely unsubstantiated statistic there) that you won't even care about the times you whiffed.

And unlike the Kevin Gausmans and Yasiel Puigs of the world, Wacha now has some data that suggests he may meet his potential right away. In his major-league debut, he two-hit the Royals over seven innings. Like I said on Fantasy Baseball Today, as long as he's pitching like this, it's his job to lose. Granted, it was the Royals and just one little start, but it's more revealing than nothing. And compared to Gausman's line so far, it's attractive to potential competitors who'll be flocking to the waiver wire for the next big pickup. Isn't that the ultimate indicator of who most deserves a roster spot?

Other than talent, of course, which is already assumed with him.

Cardinals starter Michael Wacha turned in a stellar performance in his big-league debut Thursday night against the Royals.

Wacha, ranked as the team's No. 4 prospect according to MLB.com, pitched four scoreless innings before allowing a run-scoring single to Elliot Johnson in the fifth inning for his only damage of the night. The right-hander had his outing spoiled by a three-run rally from the Royals in the ninth inning. He yielded one run and two hits while striking out six in seven innings pitched as he settled for a no-decision.

Wacha is scheduled to make his next start Tuesday at home against Arizona.

Rockies starting pitcher Juan Nicasio was knocked around as he suffered his second loss of the season Thursday night against the Astros.

Nicasio (4-2) allowed a run-scoring single to J.D. Martinez and Carlos Pena in the sixth inning before getting pulled for Wilton Lopez with two runners on. Lopez surrendered a three-run shot to Chris Carter. Nicasio was charged with five runs on seven hits and three walks while striking out three in five innings of work in a 7-5 defeat.

Nicasio has allowed five runs in two of his last four starts. He is scheduled to make his next start Tuesday at Cincinnati. He is 2-1 with a 4.94 ERA in six starts away from Coors Field.

Marlins starting pitcher Ricky Nolasco turned in a decent outing but suffered his sixth loss Thursday night against the Rays.

Nolasco (3-6) pitched five scoreless innings before allowing a two-run home run to Matt Joyce in the sixth and a solo shot to James Loney in the seventh. The right-hander surrendered three runs on four hits and four walks while striking out five in 6 2/3 innings of a 5-2 defeat.

Nolasco has allowed five runs combined in his last three starts (22 1/3 innings). He is scheduled to start Tuesday at Philadelphia. He is 0-1 with a 3.75 ERA in two starts against the Phillies this season.