MLB Player News

Carrasco (back) will start one game of the Indians' doubleheader Thursday against the Blue Jays, Zack Meisel of The Athletic Cleveland reports.

Meisel's report doesn't specify which of the two contests Carrasco will start, though MLB.com lists the right-hander as the probable pitcher for Game 1, with Adam Plutko in line to come up from Triple-A Columbus to start the nightcap. In any event, it looks like Carrasco will be cleared to start on his normal four days' rest after a bout with back tightness in his last outing over the weekend against the Mariners put his status into question. Carrasco will presumably throw a normal pre-start bullpen session Tuesday and should face no restrictions with his pitch count come Thursday.

Whitley (suspension) is throwing at the Astros' facility in Florida, preparing for an expected placement at Double-A Corpus Christi, Chandler Rome of the Houston Chronicle reports.

Astros general manager Jeff Luhnow said the organization is "taking it slow" with Whitley, Houston's top prospect per many outlets. By taking it slowly with the right-hander, the Astros are conserving his innings for when he eventually joins a minor-league affiliate.

Lynn (0-3) allowed six runs on seven hits and five walks over five innings to take the loss Monday against Toronto.

Lynn served up six runs for the second straight start and has now allowed at least five runs in four of his five outings this season. Lynn has now walked a whopping 23 batters in 23.2 innings. He threw just 10 first-pitch strikes to 27 Blue Jays hitters on Monday and served up his fourth and fifth home runs of the season to Justin Smoak and Russell Martin respectively. Lynn has an 8.37 ERA and has yet to build any sort of rhythm with the Twins whatsoever.

Gray (1-2) took the loss Monday night despite holding the Astros to two runs on four hits and three walks with four strikeouts over six innings.

Gray was much better than in two no-decisions his past two times out, in which he walked a combined nine batters over seven innings, but the Yankees offense couldn't support him against Houston's Charlie Morton. It was refreshing that Gray was able to find his control somewhat, but it was still shaky and has been suspect all season long. Gray now has walked 19 batters in just 27 innings, a 6.3 BB/9 that won't cut it over the long haul. But Gray worked around the walks Monday night against one of the best lineups in the American League, and considering his struggles to date, the Yankees and their fans have to feel pretty good about that despite the loss.

Morton (4-0) held the Yankees to just one run on two hits and two walks with 10 strikeouts through 7.2 innings to pick up the win Monday night.

Morton proved his last time out against the Angels (four innings pitched, four runs allowed on two home runs) was just a hiccup, as he recorded his fifth quality start in six outings. It wasn't until the Yankees pushed up Morton's pitch count over 100 and the Astros were forced to go to the bullpen that New York could scratch a run across thanks to a Brett Gardner single off Chris Devenski in the eighth inning. Morton reached double-digit strikeouts for the second time this season and now has 45 in just 36.2 innings. He will look to keep his hot start going Saturday on the road against the Diamondbacks.

Hamels gave up two runs (one earned) on four hits over five innings, striking out eight and walking three while picking up a no-decision in the Rangers' 7-5 defeat to the Indians on Monday.

It's been a bit of an uneven start to the season for the lefty but he seems to have been putting it together of late and he's now given up two runs or fewer in three of his last four outings despite not picking up a victory in any of those starts. He'll carry a 4.08 ERA and a 1.39 WHIP along with 47 strikeouts into a tough matchup against the Red Sox in his next start on Saturday.

Rodriguez allowed five runs on five hits and three walks across four innings in a no-decision Monday against the Royals. He struck out six.

Rodriguez got off to a poor start in this one, allowing three runs on two hits, three walks and a hit batsman in the first inning. He settled down for a couple of frames but struggled again in the fourth, when he allowed a pair of runs on another hit batsman ahead of back-to-back doubles. Luckily the Boston offense took off at that point, but the lefty didn't go deep enough into the game to be credited with a win. Rodriguez, who had allowed three runs or fewer in each of his four starts this season heading into Monday, will look to get back on track Saturday against the Rangers.

Hammel (0-3) allowed eight runs on eight hits and three walks across 4.2 innings while taking the loss Monday against the Red Sox. He struck out two.

Hammel was battered by a potent Boston lineup and especially so in the third inning, when he walked in a run before allowing a grand slam to Xander Bogaerts. All in all he was scored upon in four different frames, sending his ERA jumping nearly two full runs to 4.91. Hammel had allowed just seven earned runs over 27 total innings over his last four starts, and he'll look to bounce back in a much more favorable matchup with the Tigers this weekend.

Perez was diagnosed with elbow inflammation Monday, Jeff Wilson of the Fort Worth Star-Telegram reports.

Perez is without a timetable for his return, as the Rangers plan on having the southpaw rest his arm while receiving treatment. An approximate date for his eventual activation should surface when he resumes throwing. After five starts (22.1 innings), Perez owns a 9.67 ERA and 2.37 WHIP.

Lynn (ankle) will start Monday's game against the Blue Jays, Dan Hayes of The Athletic Minnesota reports.

The veteran starter injured his ankle in his previous start, but it doesn't appear to be bothering him at all anymore. Lynn will take on Aaron Sanchez in the series opener in Minneapolis.