MLB Player News

Verlander struck out 14 in eight scoreless innings Tuesday, issuing no walks and three hits in a no-decision.

Verlander was dominant Tuesday and still hasn't lost since joining Houston last year, going 9-0 across 12 starts with a 1.10 ERA. The 14 strikeouts were a season high, and it marked the second time this year Verlander recorded double-digit strikeouts. He'll look for his fifth win of the year when he takes on the Diamondbacks in Arizona for his next start.

Sale (2-1) allowed two runs (one earned) on five hits and two walks over seven innings in Tuesday's loss to the Royals. He struck out six.

Sale didn't rack up a whole lot of strikeouts against an exploitable Royals' lineup, but the ace did put together another strong performance and has worked his ERA down to a shiny 2.14 mark. He was in line to pick up his third win of the season, but closer Craig Kimbrel gave up a solo shot to Alex Gordon in the ninth, sending the game to extra innings. Fantasy owners' only concern with Sale could be the fact that he has tallied a double-digit strikeout total in just one of his first seven starts this season, whereas he had already accumulated six such games in his first seven outings in 2017. The strikeouts will likely begin piling up sooner than later.

German could start Sunday's game against the Indians if Jordan Montgomery (elbow) is placed on the disabled list, Bryan Hoch of MLB.com reports.

Jordan Montgomery exited Tuesday's game against the Astros after one inning with left elbow tightness. German came on in relief and tossed four shutout innings, allowing four hits and a walk while striking out four. After the game, manager Aaron Boone announced that German would be the most likely candidate to fill Montgomery's spot in the rotation if his injury requires a trip to the disabled list. Montgomery is scheduled to undergo further testing on his elbow Wednesday.

Clevinger (2-0) did not factor into the decision during Tuesday's loss to the Rangers. He allowed three runs on seven hits and one walk while striking out seven over 6.2 innings.

Clevinger was able to work around three hits and a walk in the first four innings to keep the Rangers off the scoreboard but struggled in the fifth inning, allowing a home run to Delino DeShields followed by back-to-back doubles from Shin-Soo Choo and Jurickson Profar. The 27-year-old has allowed seven total runs in his last two starts but still owns an impressive 2.82 ERA. Things won't get easier for Clevinger in his next start, as he travels to New York to take on the Yankees on Sunday.

Boyd (1-2) picked up the win Tuesday against the Rays, allowing just one run over six innings. He gave up seven hits and a walk while striking out seven.

This was a good rebound effort for Boyd, who gave up four runs across 3.2 innings in his last start. Tampa Bay ace Chris Archer gave up just two runs in his six innings of work, but Boyd was sharper in this one as he lowered his season ERA to a stellar 2.48. The seven strikeouts were also a season high. The 27-year-old will look to build on this strong start his next time out Sunday against the Royals, which projects to be another good matchup.

Montgomery exited Tuesday's game against the Astros early with left elbow tightness, Erik Boland of Newsday reports.

Montgomery suffered the injury during his tidy seven-pitch first inning Tuesday. He'll return to New York on Wednesday to undergo further testing on his irritated elbow. A more concrete diagnosis of his injury should become available following those tests.

Montgomery exited Tuesday's game against the Astros after one inning with an apparent injury, Bryan Hoch of MLB.com reports.

Montgomery breezed through the first inning on just seven pitches but was replaced on the mound by Domingo German in the second inning. The reason for his early departure has not been announced, but it's almost certainly injury-related.

General manager Rick Hahn said Rodon (shoulder) will likely make two more starts at extended spring training before heading out on a minor-league rehab assignment, Scott Merkin of MLB.com reports.

Rodon, who is on the 60-day disabled list while recovering from September shoulder surgery, is still targeting a late-May or early-June return. A more concrete timetable for his return should emerge once he's cleared to begin a rehab stint.

Chirinos was placed on the 10-day disabled list Tuesday with a right forearm strain, Marc Topkin of the Tampa Bay Times reports.

Chirinos had issues during his bullpen session Tuesday after lasting just two innings in his most recent start, prompting the Rays to shut him down and send him to the shelf. While the team is optimistic the ailment isn't serious, forearm issues are often linked to Tommy John surgery, so Tampa Bay will proceed cautiously with the 24-year-old. Ryan Yarbrough was recalled from Triple-A Durham in a corresponding move and is a leading candidate to fill in for Chirinos in the rotation for the time being.

Bieber was transferred to Triple-A Columbus on Tuesday.

The pitching prospect is off to a stellar start with Double-A Akron, producing a 1.16 ERA and a ridiculous 30:1 K:BB in 31 innings pitched. For now, Bieber will replace the injured Shawn Morimando (shoulder) in the Clippers' rotation, though he could stick in Triple-A if he continues this strong performance.