MLB Player News

Ramirez was diagnosed Monday with a torn UCL in his right elbow and was advised to undergo season-ending Tommy John surgery, Maria Guardado of MLB.com reports.

This is a tough blow for Ramirez. The 29-year-old exited his last start after just two innings with forearm tightness, and a subsequent MRI confirmed the right-hander was dealing with ligament damage. This diagnosis comes after he missed the final six weeks of the 2017 season recovering from a partially torn UCL. While the Angels haven't confirmed Ramirez's plans, it seems likely that he'll go under the knife in the coming weeks, leaving the team shorthanded in the rotation.

Cobb will start Saturday's game against the Red Sox, Roch Kubatko of MASN Sports reports.

Cobb has been cleared to make his 2018 big-league debut after tossing six innings in a game at extended spring training Monday. The 30-year-old allowed two runs (one earned) on six hits and one walk while striking out eight batters on 93 pitches. He'll look to pick up where he left off in 2017, as the veteran right-hander posted a 3.66 ERA across 29 starts.

Heaney (elbow) gave up one run over six innings with six strikeouts in a rehab start Friday for High-A Inland Empire. He'll next throw a bullpen session and could join the Angels rotation this week, the L.A. Times reports.

Heaney could be activated from the DL and start Thursday at Kansas City, but the Angels haven't announced their plans.

Opposing batters are hitting .636 against Hamels' four-seam fastball over the first three starts of the season, per BrooksBaseball.net.

Hamels' four-seamer is down a few ticks on the gun, averaging 89.7 mph this season and responsible for four of the five home runs allowed. In three starts so far, two of the leadoff batters faced have homered. In the other start, he gave up a hard double to the second hitter. As Evan Grant of the Dallas Morning News reports, MLB's Statcast system indicated all three hits came against four-seamers, up in the strike zone at 88.9 to 90.3 mph. It looks like we're witnessing a 34-year-old pitcher that needs to change how he attacks hitters -- from power lefty to crafty lefty. It worked well for him against Oakland last week, when his two-seamer had good movement. The two-seamer didn't have the same sharpness Sunday, and he was tagged for two first-inning home runs and seven runs overall. He eventually settled down over his final four frames, but for the third time this season, the left-hander failed to get through six innings.

Rodriguez gave up three runs on five hits and two walks over 3.2 innings in a no-decision Sunday against the Rays.

Rodriguez's first start of the season was a tough one, as he threw 92 pitches (55 strikes) over just 3.2 innings. However, amid his struggles, Rodriguez managed to strike out seven batters. Rodriguez will look to get on track and rebound from his rocky season debut when he takes the mound Friday against the Orioles.

Morton (2-0) allowed one unearned run on four hits and three walks while striking out seven over six innings in Sunday's 4-1 win over San Diego.

Morton has come out of the gate showing no signs of let up from his 14-win campaign in 2017. He hasn't allowed an earned run in two starts while striking out 13 and inducing 16 groundball outs over 12 innings. "Ground Chuck" lived up to his nickname in the fifth when, with the score tied and a man on third base, he induced a groundball from slugger Eric Hosmer to get out of the jam. His next start is Friday at home against the Rangers, who rank 24th in OPS (.656) after Sunday's action.

Hamels (1-2) allowed seven runs (five earned) on eight hits and two walks across 5.1 innings while taking the loss Sunday against the Blue Jays. He struck out five.

Hamels was touched up for four runs on a pair of home runs in the first inning and allowed another run before two more in the sixth chased him from the game. He threw an impressive 66 percent of his pitches for strikes but simply missed over the plate too often and was made to pay for his mistakes. Hamels whiffed 11 in his last start against the Athletics and owns a 12.9 K/9 through three turns, but his unsightly 6.19 ERA and 1.63 WHIP leave a lot to be desired. The ERA and WHIP could get more unsightly after his next start scheduled Friday on the road against the world champion Astros.

Montgomery allowed four runs on 10 hits and two walks over 4.1 innings in a no-decision Sunday against the Orioles.

Montgomery struggled to keep the Orioles off the bases, which resulted in his pitch count's quick climb. Over 4.1 innings, he threw 86 pitches, 57 going for strikes. He also surrendered his first home run of the year, as Danny Valencia got hold of a curveball in the fifth inning and logged a two-run shot. Montgomery will look to get back on track and earn his first win of the season when he takes the mound Friday against the Tigers.

Hammel gave up three hits and struck out five batters over six shutout innings but didn't factor into the decision Sunday against the Indians.

Coming off a rough season debut, Hammel tossed a great game Sunday. In addition to giving up three hits, Hammel walked just two batters over his six frames work. Although he left the game while Kansas City had a 1-0 lead, the Royals' bullpen allowed three runs over the outing's last two innings, keeping Hammel from earning his first win of the season. His next start projects to be Friday against the Angels.

Clevinger gave up one run on nine hits and two walks over 7.1 innings Sunday but didn't factor into the decision in Cleveland's 3-1 victory over the Royals.

Although Kansas City regularly had baserunners, Clevinger managed to hold the opposition to just one run. Clevinger's control was solid again, as 73 of his 110 pitches were strikes. While he managed to strike out just four batters Sunday, bringing his total up to nine for the year, Clevinger has gotten off to a great start this season and has allowed just a single run over two games (12.2 innings). His next start figures to come Friday when the Indians host the Blue Jays.