MLB Player News

Gray (10-8) picked up the win in Game 2 of Saturday's doubleheader against the Orioles, allowing just three hits and one walk across 6.1 scoreless innings. He struck out seven.

Gray was terrific in his first start since Aug. 1, firing 48 of his 79 pitches for strikes en route to his third scoreless start of the season. The right-hander has allowed just three runs across 15.2 innings since he was removed from the rotation. Despite Gray's impressive outing, manager Aaron Boone indicated Gray would likely stick in the bullpen for the time being, according to Coley Harvey of ESPN.com.

Kluber (16-7) allowed five earned runs on nine hits and two walks while striking out six across 5.1 innings to take the loss to the Royals on Saturday.

This was a surprisingly poor effort from Kluber, as he allowed the subpar Royals offense to score in three separate innings. Despite the setback, Kluber remains among the American League leaders in nearly every major statistical category. He'll look to bounce back in his next start, likely to come Friday against the Rays.

Giolito (10-9) picked up the win Saturday against the Tigers, allowing one run on three hits and one walk while striking out six across seven innings.

Giolito was locked in Saturday, firing 76 of his 106 pitches for strikes in what was one of his best outings this season. The right-hander has now compiled four quality starts in five appearances this month, lowering his ERA to 5.85. The right-hander was blown up for seven runs in his other August start -- which came against the Yankees -- but he's proven serviceable when the matchup is favorable. Giolito is probably best left on the bench with his next start coming against the Red Sox on Thursday.

Perez (2-6) took the loss to the Rangers on Saturday, giving up four runs on five hits and a walk over five innings while striking out four.

San Francisco jumped on the southpaw for four runs in the bottom of the first inning, punctuated by Brandon Crawford's three-run blast, but Perez was able to settle down and keep things from getting worse before hitting the showers after 79 pitches (44 strikes). Despite Perez's 6.95 ERA, the Rangers have no better options for their rotation, so he'll get the ball again next Saturday at home against the Twins.

Paxton (forearm) will throw another bullpen session Tuesday before returning from the disabled list, Ryan Divish of The Seattle Times reports.

Paxton completed his first bullpen session Friday since suffering a forearm bruise from a line drive Aug. 14. Tuesday's bullpen session puts the Mariners' left-hander on track to return next Friday or Saturday in Oakland.

Bassitt will be recalled from Triple-A Nashville to start against the Twins on Sunday, Susan Slusser of the San Francisco Chronicle reports.

Bassitt will rejoin the Athletics for the spot start as the team looks to give the rotation an additional day of rest. The 29-year-old has a solid 3.38 ERA and 1.31 WHIP in six starts for Oakland this season but is likely to return to the minors after Sunday with the recent reliability of the Athletics' starting rotation.

Rodriguez (ankle) will make a rehab start for Double-A Portland on Monday, Pete Abraham of The Boston Globe reports.

Rodriguez was expected to make an additional minor-league rehab start after last Monday's 63-pitch effort, and it will again come with the Sea Dogs. The rehab start this Monday could allow the 25-year-old to return to the Red Sox starting rotation Sept. 1 against the White Sox.

Manning was promoted to Double-A Erie on Friday.

Manning earned his second promotion of the season after pitching even better for High-A Lakeland than he did for Low-A West Michigan. He cut his ERA from 3.40 to 2.98 and lowered his walk rate from 11.8 percent to 9.3 percent without suffering a meaningful drop in strikeouts (32.1 percent to 31.7 percent). Manning will be able to make a start or two for Erie before the end of the Double-A season and should open 2019 at the same level, pushing for a promotion to Triple-A sometime next year.

Sale (shoulder) could begin throwing soon, Jason Mastrodonato of the Boston Herald reports.

Manager Alex Cora said the inflammation in Sale's shoulder has subsided, and the left-hander is feeling better. "I don't know if he's going to throw this weekend, but he's getting close," said the manager.

Odorizzi (5-8) gave up two runs (one earned) on five hits in a loss to the A's on Friday, recording four strikeouts and one walk in seven innings.

Odorizzi kept the Twins in the game with a quality start but was outmatched by Sean Manaea and the A's bullpen. This was the first time in 27 starts this year that Odorizzi has pitched through the seventh inning, and it's the first loss he's taken in his last five starts. The right-hander has a 4.38 ERA, 1.36 WHIP and a 140:54 K:BB in 137.2 innings. He will take on the Indians in Cleveland for his next start.