MLB Player News

Nationals pitcher Stephen Strasburg was dominant early, but faltered after one of Ryan Zimmerman's two errors and suffered his fifth straight loss Saturday afternoon against the Cubs.

Strasburg retired his first 11 batters -- including six by strikeout -- before surrendering a two-run double to opposing starter Edwin Jackson and a two-run single to Anthony Rizzo in the fifth inning. The right-hander permitted four unearned runs and five hits over five innings of work in an 8-2 defeat. He struck out seven and walked two on 95 pitches, 64 for strikes.

"I feel like I'm going out and pitching well. Just not happening on days I pitch right now," Strasburg (1-5) told reporters after his outing. "It's all going to change. It's still early."

Wilson Ramos, who caught Strasburg's game, told reporters that the 24-year-old lost his focus after giving up the two-run double to Edwin Jackson in the fifth.

Strasburg has not won a decision since opening day against the Marlins. He has a 3.10 ERA and a 1.18 WHIP through his first eight starts of the season. He is scheduled to make his next start Thursday at San Diego. He surrendered four runs and seven hits over four innings of work in his lone start against the Padres last season.

Starting pitcher Adam Wainwright became the second Cardinals' pitcher to flirt with a no-hitter in as many days Saturday. He did not allow a hit until the eighth inning against the Rockies.

After Shelby Miller retired the final 27 Rockies batters Friday, Wainwright sat down the first 13 he faced before a fifth-inning walk of Todd Helton. He finished a complete game with just two hits allowed, while striking out seven and walking just the one batter.

Wainwright earned a 3-0 win to push his record to 5-2. He is the first pitcher in the majors with two complete-game shutouts to his name this season. Wainwright ranks 10th in the National League with a 2.30 ERA, and ninth with a 0.99 WHIP. He has struck out 55 batters in 58 2/3 innings as well.

Wainwright is scheduled to take the mound next Thursday against the Mets at home.  

Dodgers starter Zack Greinke, on the 15-day disabled list, began his rehab assignment with Class A Rancho Cucamonga Friday.

Greinke ran into some trouble, as his defense committed three errors. The right-hander allowed eight runs -- three earned -- and six hits over 4 1/3 innings of work. He struck out four and did not issue a walk in 80 pitches, 54 strikes.

The 29-year-old remains hopeful of joining the rotation Wednesday against the Nationals at Dodger Stadium.

Diamondbacks starting pitcher Wade Miley is currently active in just 58 percent of CBSSports.com Fantasy leagues, despite sporting a solid 2.93 ERA and 3-1 record through his first seven starts. With a favorable schedule and two starts on the way in Week 7 (May 13-19), Fantasy owners will definitely want to get Miley into the starting lineup.

Miley will face the Braves' 12th-ranked offense Monday, and then gets a nice reprieve as he closes out the week Sunday against a Marlins squad that ranks near the bottom in every offensive category.

Miley's strikeout rate leaves a bit to be desired for a pitcher with his kind of ERA, but with two starts, that should not be a concern. There is little reason not to put Miley to use in Week 7. 

Pirates pitcher Charlie Morton, who underwent Tommy John surgery on his right elbow in June, reported no issues after throwing a bullpen session Friday, MLB.com reports. Morton was shut down from a rehab start with Triple-A Indianapolis May 3 after experiencing discomfort in his right shoulder.

Reds starter Johnny Cueto (strained lat, oblique) reported no issues following his rehab start with Class A Daytona Thursday night, MLB.com reports. Cueto allowed one run on four hits over three innings and finished with four strikeouts.

"I feel happy. I feel good," Cueto said via his translator.

Cueto is scheduled to make another rehab start for Daytona Tuesday and said he hopes to be activated off the disabled list sometime next week.

"I think I need another outing, and that's what we'll do," the right-hander added. "And after that, God willing, I will be activated."

If you were hoping to buy low on Zack Greinke, your time is running out. Set to make a rehab start Friday, he might be just two weeks away from returning, with some reports suggesting he's aiming for even sooner than that.

The initial timteable following surgery to repair his fractured collarbone was eight weeks, but at the time, the Dodgers thought he'd have to rebuild his arm strength. He's been able to continue throwing throughout his recovery.

When healthy, Greinke is a borderline ace, but with only two starts this year and injury concerns dating to spring training, his owner might view him as something of a headache. When he's back on a major-league mound, all bets are off, but right now you might still be able to land him with an Alex Rios or Austin Jackson type.

Braves starting pitcher Julio Teheran got off to a poor start Thursday against the Giants, but turned things around for one of his finest starts of the year.

He allowed three runs in the first three innings, blowing an early lead and looking well on his way to another poor outing. He shut the Giants down from then on, allowing just two hits while facing one batter over the minimum over his final four innings of work.

Teheran allowed three runs on seven hits and no walks, while striking out three batters. He lowered his ERA to 4.84 and improved his record to 2-0. He is scheduled to make his next start Tuesday against the Diamondbacks in Arizona. 

If Las Vegas 51s manager Wally Backman has his way, he might lose the services of his best starting pitcher in the next few weeks. That is because Backman manages the Mets' Triple-A affiliate, where big-time pitching prospect Zack Wheeler is trying to force his way to the majors.

"Personally, I think if he has a couple of more starts like his last start he'll be headed to the big leagues, and rightfully so," Backman said in a radio interview, via ESPN.com.

Wheeler struck out four batters and allowed just three hits in six shutout innings Monday against Sacramento. He has lowered his ERA in the hitter-friendly Pacific Coast League to 4.00, after allowing just one run in his previous two starts. Wheeler has 40 strikeouts and 17 walks in 36 innings at Triple-A.

Wheeler is expected to be called up some time after the team can ensure he does not reach Super Two eligibility, but there is no set date for that. He entered the season ranked No. 11 in Baseball America's prospect rankings and No. 8 in MLB.com's. 

Phillies starting pitcher Cole Hamels struggled badly with his control for the second time in three starts Thursday. He walked five batters in six innings against the Diamondbacks.

Hamels lasted six innings and allowed just two runs in the outing, despite walking five batters and allowing six hits. He struck out just three batters, his second-lowest total of the season. Despite the quality start, Hamels earned his fifth loss of the season, as the Phillies managed just one run in a 2-1 loss.

Hamels had more walks than strikeouts in the outing, the second time he has done that in eight starts; he only did it three times from 2010-2012, a stretch of 95 starts. He has 11 walks in his last 20 innings.

Hamels is 1-5 with a 4.18 ERA. He has a career-worst 7.49 K/9 and 3.83 BB/9 in 51 2/3 innings. He will try to get back on track in his next start, scheduled for Wednesday against the Indians.