MLB Player News

Hammel (5-9) allowed three runs on six hits and a walk with three strikeouts over 6.1 innings in a loss Friday to the Mariners.

Hammel has now recorded quality starts in three of his past four appearances, but he has picked up just one win in that stretch. He owns an uninspiring 4.73 ERA and has struck out more than four batters just once in his last five outings, giving him limited fantasy utility even at his best.

Paxton (12-3) allowed two runs on four hits and a walk with seven strikeouts over six innings in a win Friday over the Royals.

Paxton has now rattled off seven straight wins and has struck out at least seven batters in each of his last six starts. The win pushed the Mariners back over .500 as Paxton is trying to put this team on his back and make them contenders single-handedly. His ERA is down to 2.70, and Paxton is more and more looking like the ace of this Seattle staff.

Odorizzi (back) racked up six strikeouts and surrendered two earned runs on three hits over three innings in High-A Charlotte's loss to Dunedin on Friday, Roger Mooney of the Tampa Bay Times reports.

Odorizzi missed plenty of bats and looked solid overall while firing 54 pitches, 36 of which he got into the strike zone. Assuming the right-hander doesn't experience any setbacks, he's expected to return for the Rays' series against the Red Sox that kicks off next Tuesday.

Gibson was called up after Friday's game and will start Saturday against Texas, Rhett Bollinger of MLB.com reports.

Gibson will get the first shot at replacing the recently traded Jaime Garcia in the rotation. He owned a terrible 6.08 ERA in his first 18 starts before getting the boot, but Gibson was excellent in three turns for Triple-A Rochester, where he struck out 23 and allowed just four runs in 17.1 innings.

Rodriguez (4-3) allowed two runs on four hits and two walks while striking out five across six innings, but received no decision Friday against the White Sox.

Rodriguez was solid the first time through the White Sox lineup but gave up a pair of runs in the fourth inning and left the game with a one-run deficit, before the offense came up with a run in the bottom of the sixth inning to take him off the hook for a potential loss. His solid outing broke a string of four straight games in which he failed to post a quality start, and an ERA that was once at 2.77 is now at 4.08. Hopefully, he can string together a few more solid performances and regain the trust of fantasy owners. He'll make his next start Friday against the Yankees.

Rodon (1-4) allowed two runs on six hits while striking out 11 over 7.2 innings, but received no decision Friday against the Red Sox.

Rodon had a two-run lead before giving up single runs in the fifth and sixth innings to keep him from earning his second victory of the season. Not only has he lowered his ERA from 6.29 to 4.66 with a pair of strong starts he's also fanned 31 hitters over his past 18.1 innings, and if he can continue to build on his recent performances he could be a fantastic fantasy option down the stretch. He'll make his next start Thursday against the Astros.

Verlander (7-7) allowed two runs on six hits while striking out 10 across seven innings to earn the win Friday against the Orioles.

Verlander allowed solo homers in the second and third innings but otherwise was masterful, and though he left the contest with a 2-1 deficit, the offense came up with four runs in the top of the eighth inning to help him earn his seventh victory of the season. He's now held opponents scoreless in back-to-back starts while firing quality starts in each of his last four outings to lower his ERA to 4.20. He could be rounding into top form just in time to help fantasy owners for the stretch run. He'll make his next start Wednesday against the Pirates.

Gausman tossed seven innings of one-run ball, allowing just three hits and one walk while striking out eight Tigers in Friday's no-decision.

Gausman turned over a 2-1 lead to the O's bullpen that was immediately squandered in a four-run eighth inning by Detroit. Despite the disappointing no-decision, the right-hander continued his impressive turnaround after a miserable first half. He's 5-0 with 57 strikeouts in his last eight starts (48 innings). Over Gausman's last four outings, the 26-year-old has allowed just two earned runs through 27.2 innings, dropping his ERA to its lowest point since April 13. Although his next start is listed for Thursday in Oakland, it may be bumped to Wednesday in Los Angeles if Chris Tillman is moved to the bullpen as expected.

Snell was optioned to Triple-A Durham on Friday, Marc Topkin of the Tampa Bay Times reports.

The southpaw has followed a dynamic rookie season with a disappointing 2017 campaign, in which he's racked up a 4.98 ERA over 14 starts and lasted just four innings in his last outing. Although Snell exhibited some improvement by posting a 3.80 ERA in four starts last month, the Rays appear to have lost patience and will search for alternative starters while he works things out in the minors. It's unknown as to who will take the vacant rotation spot, though Jake Odorizzi -- currently sidelined with a back injury -- may be an option.

Meyer (shoulder) started throwing Thursday, Pedro Moura of the Los Angeles Times reports.

The Angels have yet to provide a timetable for his return, so it will most likely be a couple weeks before Meyer is back on a mound. The 27-year-old's history of shoulder injuries likely means the Angels will be more cautious in bringing Meyer back too quickly.