MLB Player News

Hamels (oblique) made a rehab start for Double-A Frisco on Friday, covering three scoreless innings and giving up one hit and no walks while striking out three.

Hamels, who was making his first start since April 26 after being sidelined with a right oblique strain, needed only 35 pitches to navigate through the three frames. The Rangers initially planned to let the left-hander toss 55-60 pitches during the outing, but since he worked through the three innings more efficiently than expected, he tossed some more pitches in the bullpen once he was removed from the contest. Hamels' velocity topped out at 93 mph, but the Rangers are optimistic that he'll be able to pick up a few ticks as he builds up his endurance. He's expected to cover five or six innings in his second rehab start next Wednesday, and will likely require one more start after that before the Rangers bring him off the disabled list.

Groome (back) has been named the Opening Day starter for Short-Season Lowell on Monday, Rich Thompson of the Boston Herald reports.

Groome, Boston's 2016 first-round draft pick (12th overall), will get a 2017 debut do-over after he suffered a strained latissimus muscle during his debut for Low-A Greenville in April. He said the back is fine, and that he's ready to get back into game action. The 6-foot-6 left-hander has a repertoire consisting of a fastball, curveball and changeup, although the change remains a work in progress.

Severino did not factor into the decision Friday against the A's, allowing four runs over six innings. He struck out six and walked four.

One start after coasting against the Orioles, Severino had to battle during this one, needing 109 pitches to get through the sixth. Still, the 21-year-old has a 2.99 ERA this season and has allowed just nine runs over his last 39.1 innings (2.06 ERA).

Carrasco (7-3) picked up the win against the Twins on Friday, allowing one earned run over 6.1 innings. He struck out seven and walked three.

A sixth-inning home run from Eddie Rosario served as the only blemish on Carrasco's line Friday night. He usually struggles with Minnesota, as evidenced by his 3-7 lifetime record against the Twins. The right-hander lowered his ERA to 3.21 on the season and has won his last two starts.

Quintana (3-8) allowed two runs on five hits and two walks while striking out five batters through seven innings during Friday's win over Toronto.

The veteran lefty owned a career 3.41 ERA and 1.24 WHIP through 1,025.2 innings entering this season, and he left Friday's outing with a 5.07 ERA and 1.37 WHIP for 2017. To say it's been a disappointing campaign would be an understatement, and this was just the sixth start of the year that Quintana has allowed two runs or fewer. While he's currently difficult to trust, the potential is there, and a rebound stretch could be right around the corner. He projects to make his next start on the road against the Twins.

Paxton (5-2) coughed up seven runs on seven hits and three walks while striking out four over 3.2 innings in Friday's 10-4 loss to the Rangers.

He threw only 52 of 91 pitches for strikes, and the left-hander has now walked exactly three batters and given up at least three runs in each of his last three starts, sending his ERA soaring to a still-strong 3.23. Paxton will look to turn things around Wednesday at home against the Tigers.

Gausman (3-6) surrendered five runs on nine hits and three walks while striking out seven batters over 5.2 innings during Friday's loss to St. Louis.

Gausman has now allowed 16 runs over 15.2 innings through his past three starts, and he's up to a ratio-killing 6.60 ERA and 1.92 WHIP for the campaign. Those are crippling fantasy numbers, and despite showing flashes this year and owning plenty of pedigree, Gausman currently cannot be viewed as a reliable starter against the majority of opponents. He projects to make a home start against Cleveland next.

Bassitt (elbow) will throw off a mound Saturday, Joe Stiglich of NBC Sports California reports.

This is big news, as it marks the first time he'll hit a mound since he was shut down in mid-May. It's unclear how much throwing Bassitt will do in Saturday's session, although if all goes well, he could head back out on his rehab assignment in the next week or two.

Smyly (elbow) threw a 40-pitch bullpen session Friday, Ryan Divish of The Seattle Times reports.

The best news from this development is that 10 of the tosses were offspeed pitches. Smyly seems to be ramping up the intensity of his workouts at a good pace, and if all goes well, he could begin throwing simulated games after just one more bullpen session.

Mejia will start the second game of the Twins' doubleheader with the Indians on Saturday, Rhett Bollinger of MLB.com reports.

Mejia was clobbered for nine runs (eight earned) in his last start, but with Hector Santiago (shoulder) on the shelf and a doubleheader on tap, he'll remain in the rotation for Minnesota. The 23-year-old will face off with Mike Clevinger in the nightcap of Saturday's twin bill, with Adam Wilk and Ryan Merritt throwing in the afternoon bout.