MLB Player News

Hammel went 1-3 while posting an ugly 5.83 ERA and allowed six home runs over his five May starts.

Coming off a career-best season with the Cubs, Hammel has been nothing less than a major disappointment through 10 games as a Royal. Among qualified MLB starters this year, Hammel's 6.18 ERA ranks 89th out of 93. The 34-year-old's 4.1 BB/9 and 65 percent strand rate are his worst marks since 2007 with Tampa Bay.

Bundy went 3-2 with a 3.92 ERA and 26:14 K:BB through six starts in May.

The 24-year-old dropped off significantly from the first to the second month of the 2017 campaign. Bundy's 1.65 ERA in April was certainly unsustainable given his 3.54 career mark, but a two-plus point inflation in May was tough for owners to stomach. His K/BB rate nearly doubled compared to the season's opening month, and opponents hit Bundy much harder in May. The right-hander induced soft contact 26.9 percent of the time in April, but last month that number dropped to 17.5 percent. Even so, Bundy's 2.89 overall ERA and 1.14 WHIP through 11 games is more than what owners likely paid for, and the youngster is making encouraging strides in the early part of his sophomore season.

Miley failed to win any of his five May starts, posting a 3.97 ERA and a brutal 13:12 K:BB over 22.2 innings.

The southpaw's numbers took a big hit compared to his April marks. In the campaign's opening month, opposing hitters managed a paltry .185 BAA, but they tagged Miley for a .313 average in May. Furthermore, his strikeout rate dropped from 29.7 to 12.0 percent once the calendar flipped. Even so, the 30-year-old's 3.02 ERA and 8.6 K/9 through 10 games are career-best marks. Then again, Miley's 85.1 percent strand rate is significantly higher than his career 71.9 percent mark, and his 4.78 FIP is his worst since becoming a full-time starter in 2012.

Stroman wrapped up May with a perfect 4-0 record over six starts (32.1 innings).

Although he was perfect in May, Stroman's splits were actually down from the campaign's first month. The right-hander earned better marks in April for walk rate, WHIP and FIP. Still, owners can't complain with the 26-year-old's overall performance this season. His 93.5 mph fastball is up to its best average since his rookie year in 2014. Furthermore his 61.6 percent groundball rate is second best in all of MLB (behind Dallas Keuchel), and Stroman hasn't lost a game since April 18 (eight starts).

Groome (back) pitched two innings in an extended spring training game Tuesday, Ryan Hannable of WEEI.com reports.

Tuesday marked the first time Groome tossed in a game since injuring his back during his debut for Low-A Greenville on April 10. He apparently got through two innings without a hitch, bringing him one step closer to rejoining the Greenville rotation.

Gausman (3-4) navigated his way around 13 baserunners -- eight hits and five walks -- over 5.1 innings Wednesday, ultimately holding the Yankees to three runs (two earned) and striking out four.

Let's not sugarcoat this outing: It was bad. Gausman was highly inefficient, needing 106 pitches to record 16 outs, and he set a season high in walks. Still, he picked up his first win since May 8 because he worked out of nearly all his jams with relatively modest damage. Especially with his strikeouts way down this year, Gausman's become hard to trust in fantasy. Even using him as a matchup-dependent streamer is a risky, relatively low-reward proposition.

Verlander will now pitch Sunday against the White Sox, Evan Woodbery of MLive.com reports.

With an off-day coming for the Tigers on Thursday, Verlander will simply push his next scheduled start forward by two days so he pitches on regular rest. Verlander, who has compiled a 4.50 ERA and a 63:30 K:BB through 68 innings (11 starts) this season, will now face David Holmberg in his next start.

Clevinger (2-2) gave up three runs on five hits and two walks over 6.2 innings in a 3-1 loss against Oakland on Wednesday. He struck out seven.

He was burned by a pair of long balls by A's shortstop Chad Pinder, which accounted for all the runs against Clevinger. The rookie also gave up two home runs in his last start after opening his career with four homer-free appearances, so it looks like the league's adjusting to him a little, but he's remaining quite effective nonetheless. However, it's worth exercising caution with Clevinger in his next start, which will come Tuesday in the hitting paradise known as Coors Field.

Bridwell was optioned to Triple-A Salt Lake on Wednesday.

Bridwell pitched six strong innings in his major-league debut Tuesday, but the Angels needed outfield depth after a plethora of injuries struck, and with Alex Meyer (back) expected to return Thursday, Bridwell simply wasn't needed anymore. He'll head back to the minors to further his development in Salt Lake's rotation. Shane Robinson was called up to take his roster spot.

Rodon (elbow) is scheduled to throw a five-inning simulated game Thursday, Colleen Kane of the Chicago Tribune reports.

Rodon continues to gradually progress through his recovery process, though the White Sox still refuse to offer a timeline for the southpaw's possible return. He's already tossed multiple simulated games over the past couple weeks, so barring any setbacks, it would appear a rehab assignment could be around the corner for Rodon.