MLB Player News

Kluber (neck) is listed as the probable starter for Sunday's matinee tilt with the Blue Jays.

Kluber has been dealing with a stiff neck over his past few starts and was already bumped from his previously scheduled appearance Friday, but it appears he'll still make an outing this week, barring any setbacks. The right-hander owns an outstanding 2.86 ERA and 0.96 WHIP over 15 starts this season and ranks ninth in the majors with 135 strikeouts.

The Mariners acquired Gonzales from the Cardinals on Friday for outfielder Tyler O'Neill.

Seattle continues to rebuild its pitching staff, this time giving up a noted prospect instead of the less heralded package the Mariners sent to the Marlins for David Phelps. Gonzales' destination within the M's organization wasn't known at the time of the report, but if Seattle calls him up, the left-hander may grab at least a temporary rotation spot, considering Hisashi Iwakuma (shoulder) is at least a few weeks away from returning. Gonzales showed fleeting signs that he could act as a serviceable back-end starter during his St. Louis days, has delivered a decent velocity increase this year, and spun a 2.90 ERA in 11 starts for Triple-A Memphis. Still, positive reviews he garnered in his early prospect days have waned, especially as his strikeout rate dipped while facing tougher competition. He's under team control through the 2023 season, though, so Seattle wouldn't mind seeing if the 25-year-old can reach another level. As for 2017, AL-only players could scrape some value out of him, and maybe he'll earn streamer appeal.

The Rangers are reaching out to teams who may be interested in trading for Darvish, Jeff Passan of Yahoo Sports reports.

The Cubs appear to be among those intrigued organizations, according to Jon Morosi of MLB Network. Texas continues to fade in the race for a wild-card spot, and the team's clearest way to start a rebuild would be to trade their ace for a useful group of prospects. Darvish will become a free agent this offseason, so teams may not be willing to part with highly regarded farm pieces unless they can lock in an extension. Switching to the league without the designated hitter -- in a friendlier home park like Wrigley Field -- could at least buoy Darvish's already dazzling season (3.45 ERA, 9.4 K/9, 3.0 BB/9 over 20 starts) and improve on his 6-8 record. NL-only fantasy players who've hoarded their FAAB and need pitching help are crossing their fingers that this will happen.

The Athletics recalled Montas from Triple-A Nashville on Thursday.

Montas will provide length in the bullpen. He's fared decently with the Sounds, producing a 4.22 ERA but striking out 31 in 21.1 innings (including six starts), though he's scuffled more in the majors with a 6.91 ERA over 28.2 frames. It seems as if the 24-year-old's future profiles as a reliever, despite the possibility that he could perform as a wild but often dominant starter.

Severino (6-4) scattered eight hits and a walk across seven scoreless innings while recording six strikeouts during Thursday's win over Seattle.

There are a few poor outings in the game log for Severino, but with a 3.21 ERA, 1.11 WHIP and 10.1 K/9, he's establishing himself as a high-end fantasy asset. His 3.02 FIP also reinforces the lofty status. Additionally, considering how well he's pitched, there is probably positive regression ahead in the wins column. Severino projects to make his next start at home against Cincinnati.

Miley allowed five runs on seven hits and four walks while striking out just three batters through five innings during Thursday's win over Texas. He didn't factor into the decision.

The southpaw entered with a 10.19 ERA through his previous eight starts, and things didn't get much better Thursday. Miley now sports a 5.58 ERA and 1.82 WHIP for the season, so outside of helping in the strikeouts column (8.0 K/9), he provides very little fantasy value. The lefty projects to face the Rays at Tropicana Field in his next start.

Hamels (4-1) allowed seven runs on nine hits and two walks while striking out just three batters through 5.1 innings during Thursday's loss to Baltimore.

Hamels also allowed seven runs June 26 in his first start back from a lengthy stint on the disabled list, but had rebounded with a streak of 24 consecutive scoreless innings before surrendering a run to the Orioles in the bottom of the fourth. The flood gates opened soon after that, bloating the veteran's ERA to 3.78 on the season. Hamels' FIP is up to an alarming 4.84 for the year and his 5.0 K/9 isn't moving the needle much either, so things may only get worse for the lefty from here on out.

Stephens has 37 strikeouts in eight starts (47.1 innings) with an ERA of 1.33 with Double-A Birmingham this season.

Stephens got a late start to the season, being held out until June 3 with tendinitis in his right elbow, Josh Norris of Baseball America reports. While the strikeout numbers are pretty low, Stephens has shown his ability to control his pitches as he's holding hitters to a .228 average and is only walking 6.4 percent of batters.

Meyer (4-5) fired seven scoreless innings in Wednesday's 7-0 win over the Nationals, allowing just a single hit -- a sixth-inning double by Brian Goodwin -- and a walk while striking out seven.

It was some sweet revenge for Meyer, who was drafted in the first round by the Nats back in 2011 before heading to the Twins in the Wilson Ramos deal a year later. The right-hander has now shut down two dangerous offenses in his last three big-league starts, also one-hitting the Dodgers over six shutout innings back on June 28, and while his control remains erratic Meyer is beginning to justify that draft pedigree. He'll take the mound again next Wednesday in Cleveland.

Hammel allowed only one run on four hits and a walk over 6.1 innings but had to settle for a no-decision in Wednesday's 4-3 win over the Tigers. He struck out two.

Kelvin Herrera was battling a fever and blew the save in the top of the ninth inning, denying Hammel his fifth win of the year despite a strong effort. After a rough start to the season the veteran righty has turned things around, producing quality starts in six of his last nine outings while posting a 3.56 ERA and 1.19 WHIP over that stretch. He'll get a rematch with the Tigers in Detroit on Monday.