MLB Player News

Musgrove was demoted to Triple-A Fresno on Saturday, Jake Kaplan of the Houston Chronicle reports.

This transaction did not come as a surprise. Musgrove had a 10.29 ERA over the three starts he made since returning from a stint on the disabled list due to shoulder inflammation. For the season, the 24-year-old right-hander's ERA (6.01) ranks 102nd out of 108 starters who have pitched at least 60 innings. He's expected to make his first start for the Grizzlies on Thursday. His length of stay in the minor leagues hinges on his progress at Fresno and the performances in the majors of prospects Francis Martes and David Paulino. He will be first eligible to return to the majors July 4.

Snell will make his return to the Tampa Bay rotation Wednesday in Pittsburgh, Roger Mooney of the Tampa Bay Times reports.

Snell got off to a rough start to the season, posting an 0-4 record in the majors with a 4.71 ERA. He was sent back to the minors to get back on track and did just that, winning five games for Triple-A Durham while posting a 2.66 ERA and 61:15 K:BB ratio. The 24-year-old lefty has now been deemed ready to return to the big leagues, where he'll take the rotation spot of Erasmo Ramirez.

Ramirez (7-5) tossed six innings of one-run ball while striking out five in a win over the Red Sox.

The 28-year-old threw 64 of his 95 pitches for strikes after walking four in his previous short outing, and the aggressive approach paid off against a potent Boston lineup. Ramirez carried an ugly 8.53 June ERA into Saturday's start, so this could be a sign that the he is getting back on the right track. The converted reliever draws another tough matchup against a red-hot Dodgers lineup Thursday, but if he comes out of that outing unscathed, then he may regain the trust of fantasy owners he built through his first nine starts (3.20 ERA and 1.10 WHIP).

McCullers (7-1) pitched five strong innings, allowing one run on four hits and no walks Saturday against the Mariners. He added eight strikeouts and earned the win.

McCullers had been activated earlier in the day after a DL stint to deal with lower-back issues. He pitched into the sixth inning, when Seattle finally broke through against him, and finished after throwing 76 pitches (51 for strikes). The right-hander picked up right where he left off before he hit the DL, and now owns an ERA of 2.53.

Smyly (elbow) successfully threw a 25-pitch simulated inning Saturday and is aiming for a return between July 17-19, Bob Dutton of the Tacoma News Tribune reports.

The session marked a key step in the overall recovery process for Smyly and, more importantly, established a firm timetable as to his rehab moving forward. "I thought he looked pretty darn good," said manager Scott Servais. "Very encouraged by what I saw today." Smyly is set to pitch two simulated innings next Wednesday before beginning a three-start rehab assignment with Triple-A Tacoma. The southpaw is seeking to make his first start with Seattle after posting a 4.88 ERA over 30 starts with the Rays last season.

Kluber (6-2) allowed two unearned runs on three hits and two walks while striking out 13 across seven innings, but received no decision Saturday against the Twins.

Kluber was the victim of limited run support, which likely kept him from earning his seventh win of the season. He's allowed just five earned runs over his last five starts to lower a 5.06 ERA to 3.24, and he's now looking like the fantasy ace he was drafted to be. He'll make his next start Thursday against the Rangers.

Gibson (4-5) allowed one run on four hits and four walks while striking out one over 4.2 innings in a no-decision Saturday against the Indians.

Gibson got away with walking four batters, and the only damage he incurred was a solo homer to Jose Ramirez, and although he left with a 2-1 lead, he didn't pitch long enough to qualify for the victory. With a 6.23 ERA on the season, he's a weak fantasy option. He'll make his next start Thursday against the Red Sox.

Bundy (8-6) allowed three runs on five hits and four walks while striking out eight across seven innings to earn the win Saturday against the Rays.

Bundy gave up a pair of homers in the third inning to blow a three-run lead, but the Orioles offense came up big in the seventh inning to help him earn his eighth victory of the year. After allowing 10 earned runs in his last 9.1 innings over his previous two starts, his quality start will hopefully end his brief skid and return him to being a strong fantasy option. He'll make his next start Saturday against the Rays.

McCullers (back) was officially activated from the disabled list to start Saturday's game against the Mariners, Brian McTaggart of MLB.com reports.

McCullers was confirmed as Saturday's starter earlier in the week, but now the corresponding moves have been clarified. Upon McCullers' return, the club optioned Joe Musgrove to the minors and also placed Brad Peacock on the paternity list. The 23-year-old was sharp on the mound prior to being placed on the disabled list and will look to continue that in his first start back Saturday.

Rodriguez is scheduled to throw 75-80 pitches in a rehab start for Double-A Portland on Thursday, Brian MacPherson of the Providence Journal reports.

President of baseball operations Dave Dombrowski stated Friday that he hopes Rodriguez will be ready to return by the All-Star break. His lengthy rehab outing would put him in line for a return after one or two starts in the minors, but a firmer timetable could surface following Thursday's start.