MLB Player News

Ramirez (6-4) allowed four runs on 10 hits and a walk while striking out four batters over five innings during Thursday's win over Detroit.

Ramirez was blasted for seven runs and three home runs during his past outing against Minnesota, so while this still wasn't a strong showing, it was certainly a step in the right direction. The 28-year-old righty boasts a mid-90s fastball and has shown flashes of fantasy upside since converting to a starter. However, he's still a little too inconsistent to count on outside of cushy matchups. Ramirez lines up to face the Yankees in his next start. It will be a telling test.

Smyly (elbow) will throw off the mound Thursday for the first time since his injury this spring, MLB.com's Greg Johns reports.

After playing catch in the outfield, Smyly took to the mound for the first time since spring training for a brief bullpen outing. Manager Scott Servais said that the southpaw has been "picking up the intensity" recently, but there is still no timetable for his return. It is likely that Smyly won't return until around the All-Star game, but Thursday's progress is a positive step after being placed on the 60-day DL to start the season.

Verlander (groin) is still in line for pitching Saturday after throwing a side session Thursday, MLB.com's Jason Beck reports.

The Tigers are optimistic that Verlander will be able to go Saturday, but Drew VerHagen is likely to take his place in the event that he can not. Another option for Detroit would be to move Daniel Norris up a start, but VerHagen seems to be the best bet. The right-hander also threw off flat ground Wednesday, and there were no red flags from either completed session. With positive results stemming from his MRI, there should be no reason for serious concern even if Verlander misses a start or lands on the disabled list.

Keuchel (neck) will head back to the disabled list Thursday, Brian McTaggart of MLB.com reports.

Keuchel takes a place on the disabled list for the second time in the last two weeks, with more discomfort stemming from his neck, which was the reason the southpaw hit the DL in the first place. After being scratched due to an illness for his expected start Wednesday, it seems as though Keuchel has still failed to completely recover from the pinched nerve in his neck, with this move retroactive to June 3. The 29-year-old saw doctors in Houston on Thursday morning, and there is no timetable on his return at this moment.

Meyer (2-3) allowed just an unearned run on three hits and four walks while striking out nine over six innings in Wednesday's 4-0 loss to the Tigers.

The nine strikeouts were a career high for the right-hander, but a third-inning error by Yunel Escobar doomed Meyer to a loss in a pitcher's duel with Buck Farmer. Meyer will next take the mound Monday at home against the Yankees.

Mejia gave up three runs with five strikeouts over five innings, but got a no-decision in Wednesday's loss at Seattle. He allowed just two hits, but both were home runs and he walked three batters.

Mejia has a 3.52 ERA and 19:9 K:BB since returning to the rotation in May. He needs to limit the long ball as he's given up five home runs in his last four starts. However, he's pitching well enough to remain in Minnesota's rotation for the foreseeable future.

Montas (1-1) gave up three earned runs on two hits over two-thirds of an inning in Wednesday's 7-5 extra-inning loss to the Blue Jays.

Montas was charged with protecting a 4-4 lead in the 10th inning but couldn't come close to accomplishing that goal, getting touched up for a go-ahead two-run home run by Josh Donaldson and a solo shot by Justin Smoak later in the frame. The 24-year-old's June has been disastrous thus far, as he's given up eight earned runs across the one inning encompassing his last two appearances and has surrended a pair of round trippers in each of those outings.

Clevinger will be recalled to start June 17 when the Indians play a doubleheader in Minnesota, Brent W. New of The Associated Press reports.

The right-hander was optioned to Triple-A Columbus after allowing five runs over four innings Tuesday, but manager Terry Francona said that Clevinger's poor outing was not an issue. "We have three off days in eight days, that's why [he was demoted]," Francona said. "It's not a reaction to last night's game. He knows he's going to start one of those games (on June 17). He'll pitch once in between in Columbus." Through six starts in 2017, Clevinger is 2-2 with a 4.13 ERA with 37 strikeouts through 32.3 innings.

Miley (2-3) gave up four runs on eight hits and two walks while striking out four over 2.2 innings but escaped with a no-decision in Wednesday's 9-6 win over the Pirates.

He threw just 46 of his 83 pitches for strikes before being lifted in the third inning with runners on first and second, but long reliever Mike Wright was able to prevent any further damage being added to Miley's ledger. The veteran hurler has been alternating solid starts with bad ones over the last few weeks, but he could have trouble keeping that pattern going Monday on the road against a White Sox team that leads the league in wOBA against left-handers at .357.

Darvish struck out nine batters over 7.1 innings against the Mets on Wednesday, allowing three runs on three hits (two homers) and a walk. He didn't factor into the decision.

The Mets could barely touch Darvish -- with the lone major exception of Jay Bruce, who tagged him for two homers that drove in all three runs off the Japanese righty. Darvish has now allowed 12 homers over 82 innings this year, a career-worst rate. On the bright side, he's kept the walks under control in his last two starts and he's still striking batters out at an impressive clip. Despite his long-ball proclivities, Darvish's 3.18 ERA and 1.13 WHIP don't leave much room for complaint, and it wouldn't be surprising to see him improve on those numbers as the season wears on.