MLB Player News

Asher (1-1) allowed the Red Sox to score three runs on six hits and a walk with four strikeouts over six innings in Tuesday's loss.

His two starts have both been solid, but Asher's been the beneficiary of a .208 BABIP; thanks to that, his ERA is a shiny 3.14, but his FIP is a hideous 5.08. Nonetheless, Asher will probably continue drawing any spot starts the Orioles need to fill, otherwise serving in a relief role.

Cobb (2-2) fired six scoreless innings in Tuesday's 3-1 win over the Marlins, giving up four hits and two walks while also recording a pair of strikeouts.

Cobb turned in his most encouraging performance to date, firing 61 of 92 pitches for strikes and allowing just one extra-base hit to the six batters that reached safely against him. He also avoided the long ball altogether for the second straight start after having surrendered at least one home run in his first four trips to the mound this season. Tuesday's effort brought the 29-year-old right-hander's ERA down to 3.86 and he'll look to continue his winning ways in a home start versus the Blue Jays next Sunday.

Nick Tepesch, and not Berrios, is the favorite to start May 6 against Boston when the Twins next need a fifth starter, the Minneapolis Star Tribune reports. "Unless we get into a situation where we have to have him," said manager Paul Molitor.

Berrios would seemingly have little left to prove at Triple-A as he has a 1.09 ERA and 35:8 K:BB in 33 innings after dominating at Triple-A last season as well (2.51 ERA and 10.1 K/9). However, the Twins want him to continue to work on his fastball command in the minors. It's also not official that Berrios won't be called up as Tepesch could end up being used out of the bullpen in a crunch or the team could change its plans.

Sale (2-2) allowed two runs on three hits and two walks while striking out 11 over eight innings in Tuesday's 5-2 win over Baltimore.

Sale was dominant yet again, reaching double-digit strikeouts for a fifth straight stars. It was also the third outing in a row where he lasted eight innings. He also put himself squarely in the middle of the brewing rivalry with Baltimore when his first pitch to Manny Machado was a 97-mph fastball behind his knees. The left-hander's message-sending pitch set off warnings to both teams and some jawing back and forth. Through it all, Sale remained focused and delivered an ace-like performance.

Paxton (3-0) allowed two runs (one earned) on five hits and five walks while striking out six over 5.1 innings but didn't factor into the decision in Tuesday's extra-inning loss to the Angels.

It's just the second time in six starts that Paxton has been scored upon, and the second time he's walked more than one batter. The left-hander's 1.43 ERA, 0.98 WHIP and 45:11 K:BB through 37.2 innings remain excellent, and he'll look to get back in the win column Sunday at home against the Rangers.

Rodon (biceps) remains on a throwing program but manager Rick Renteria remains vague about the left-hander's progress, Daryl Van Schouwen of the Chicago Sun-Times reports.

In a question-and-answer exchange with reporters Tuesday, Renteria replied to three questions about Rodon with a variation of the same answer: "He continues to be on his throwing program, and he's doing well. He's progressing well." Rodon did not meet with the media when he was back in Chicago last week and has since returned to Arizona. The White Sox won't say if he's thrown off a mound. Once he's ready to take the mound, Rodon will need a few turns through a rotation to build up strength and innings. A best-case scenario has Rodon returning in early June.

Kluber (back) has been battling issues for a few starts and may land on the 10-day disabled list to fully recover, Jordan Bastian of MLB.com reports.

After Tuesday's start, one in which Kluber was removed early due to back tightness, manager Terry Francona noted that the team's ace has been dealing with the ailment for a while now. Furthermore, the skipper said Kluber would be re-evaluated Wednesday to determine if the right-hander would need to be placed on the DL. With the new 10-day rule, he'd only miss one start if he did in fact need just a short stint to heal.

Quintana (2-4) scattered four hits and two walks over eight scoreless innings Tuesday while striking out seven in a 6-0 win over the Royals.

The lefty is quickly burying his rough start to the year, reeling off three straight quality starts with a 1.80 ERA and 23:7 K:BB in 20 innings over that stretch. Quintana will get a tough test in his next trip to the mound Sunday in Baltimore, however.

Gray (0-1) allowed four runs on five hits and two walks while striking out four over six innings in Tuesday's 9-1 loss to the Twins.

While there were some positive aspects to Gray's first outing of the season, including a fastball that topped out at 96.1 mph in the third inning, three of Minnesota's five hits off him left the yard and by the end of the right-hander's start his velocity was noticeably flagging. Gray will look to build on those positives in his next trip to the mound Monday at home against the Angels.

Verlander (2-2) allowed two runs on four hits and four walks across seven innings during Tuesday's win over the Indians. He struck out five.

Verlander loaded the bases and yielded a run on a wild pitch in the first, but he settled down and cruised through six more frames, allowing one more run in the sixth. He threw 118 pitches and induced 14 flyouts, which is a bit extreme, but he was able to keep them all in the yard. Verlander has now delivered back-to-back quality starts after two ugly outings in mid-April and will look to improve on his 4.21 ERA in Sunday's start against the Athletics.