MLB Player News

Verlander struck out 11 Mariners over 5.2 innings while allowing three runs on four hits and a walk in a no-decision Wednesday.

That line doesn't properly reflect what happened in this outing. Verlander carried a perfect game into the sixth inning, lost it on Jarrod Dyson's bunt hit, and promptly fell apart, ultimately failing to escape the frame. Fortunately, he at least showed better control in this one after walking a dozen batters in his past three outings and 42 in 82 innings to start the year. Verlander's strikeout ability and history of dominance are tantalizing, but his decline in control has been a major liability, as it's resulted in hideous rate stats.

Berrios (7-1) struck out eight White Sox over eight innings Wednesday, allowing just two runs on four hits and a walk in a 4-2 win.

A disaster in his first taste of the majors last season, Berrios has been the exact opposite since being called up this year, living up to his prospect hype by posting elite numbers -- a 2.67 ERA, 0.91 WHIP and 53:15 K:BB in 54 innings. He's now gone eight innings in two consecutive starts, and he's only given up four homers (three of them in one game) in his eight outings for the Twins. There may be some regression coming his way, but it still looks like he's truly arrived as a major-league starter.

Gausman (3-7) allowed three runs on six hits and two walks while striking out nine batters during Wednesday's loss to Cleveland.

Considering the opponent, this was arguably Gausman's best start of the season. After all, the 26-year-old righty sports a disastrous 6.47 ERA and 1.88 WHIP. The nine strikeouts were a season high, and despite taking the loss, it was an encouraging outing. Gausman owns the potential to turn his season around, so he's worth monitoring. A road start against Toronto is up next.

Carrasco (8-3) pitched six scoreless innings with 10 strikeouts during Wednesday's win over Baltimore.

The dominant showing has Carrasco sporting a 2.99 ERA, 1.02 WHIP and 9.2 K/9 for the year. He's now allowed just three runs through 17.2 innings over his past three outings, and appears to have settled in as a high-end asset going forward. Carrasco projects to face Texas at home in his next start.

Bassitt (elbow) was able to throw two simulated innings Wednesday, Henry Schulman of the San Francisco Chronicle reports.

Although there is no date set for Bassitt to face live hitters, he appears to be progressing nicely in his recovery from Tommy John surgery after suffering multiple setbacks earlier in the season. A clearer timetable for his return should be available as he continues to ramp up his throwing program, while he could be back sooner if the Athletics choose to shift him to the bullpen for the rest of 2017.

Hamels (oblique) made his second rehab start with Double-A Frisco on Wednesday, tossing 5.1 innings and giving up one run on two hits and two walks while striking out five batters.

Aside from allowing a first-inning solo shot, Hamels looked strong during his 81-pitch outing, perhaps assuaging any concern the Rangers had about his strained oblique. It's expected that Hamels will rejoin the the big club to throw a bullpen session Friday or Saturday, and if all goes well, he'll likely come off the 10-day disabled list to start a game during the Rangers' series with the Indians next week.

Cloyd was designated for assignment Wednesday.

The 30-year-old's removal from the 40-man roster opens up a spot for Triple-A Tacoma right-hander Andrew Moore, who is expected to work in long relief with the big club. Cloyd made one relief appearance for the Mariners on June 9 before reporting back to Tacoma, where he's compiled a 1.40 ERA in 19.1 innings over five starts this season. Given the perceived lack of upside for a pitcher of Cloyd's age who works in the high-80s-to-low-90s, it's possible he'll pass through waivers unclaimed and stick around at Triple-A as organizational depth.

Bergman was optioned to Triple-A Tacoma on Wednesday.

With the Mariners preparing for Felix Hernandez's (shoulder) return from the 10-day disabled list Friday, Bergman will be dropped from the rotation to open up a spot for the former Cy Young Award winner. The Mariners called up Triple-A starter Andrew Moore in a corresponding move, but it's expected that he'll work in long relief initially. Bergman turned in three quality starts during his eight-start stint with the Mariners, but with nine- and 10-run blowups mixed in, he ended up submitting an ugly 5.70 ERA over that span.

Smyly (elbow) is set to face hitting Saturday after completing a successful bullpen Tuesday, Greg Johns of MLB.com reports.

Saturday will mark the first time Smyly faces live batters since being placed on the disabled list in late March. Smyly noted that his bullpen session Tuesday went "great," which could lead into the left-hander partaking in a rehab assignment before the end of the month. The plan remains for Smyly to join the club around the second week of July barring any additional setbacks.

Rodriguez (knee) executed a round of agility and cardiovascular drills on the field Tuesday, Chad Jennings of the Boston Herald reports.

Rordiguez has been throwing bullpen sessions for a week now but the Red Sox wanted him to get on the field and execute some change-of-direction and participate in pitcher's fielding practice. The left-hander came through it just fine is in line to face live batters Saturday. That puts him on schedule to begin a rehabilitation assignment by the middle or late part of next week.