MLB Player News

Nolasco (2-2) gave up an earned run on three hits and two walks over 5.2 innings in Thursday's 2-1 win over the Athletics. He struck out four.

Nolasco saw his turn delayed by a couple of days as he worked through reported mechanical issues, and the extra time to hone his craft appeared to pay off. The 34-year-old fired 61 of 98 pitches for strikes and recorded 11 swings-and-misses overall, notching a second consecutive strong start. The veteran righty also avoided the long ball altogether for the first time in five trips to the mound this season, while the sole earned run he surrendered marked his lowest figure in that category thus far this season. Nolasco will look to keep the momentum going in a road start against the Mariners next Tuesday.

Sale (1-2) allowed three runs (two earned) on eight hits and struck out 10 over eight-plus innings in Thursday's 3-0 loss to the Yankees.

Manager John Farrell let Sale go out for the ninth inning but the left-hander tired and was tagged for two additional runs and three hits. Meanwhile, the Red Sox bats have gone silent, managing just 13 runs and a .202 batting average over the last seven games, including a mere one run in 18 innings against the Yankees. A paucity of offense has been a recurring theme for the team with Sale being its special victim. He has a 1.19 ERA over five starts but has been given four runs of support while he's been on the mound (37.2 innings). Sale will hope Boston's bats are improved by the time he makes his next start Tuesday at home against the Orioles.

Gray (back) was dominant in his rehab outing Thursday and could rejoin Oakland's rotation as soon as Tuesday, Susan Slusser of the San Francisco Chronicle reports. He allowed two hits and no walks while striking out seven batters over 6.0 innings.

Perhaps the most important takeaway from Thursday's outing was Gray sitting at 94 mph with his fastball and locating it extremely well. His seven strikeouts in 6.0 innings back up that notion, as does the fact that he didn't register a walk. Gray is now lined up to start Tuesday in Minnesota, but Slusser notes that the team's off-day Monday affords the A's the luxury of waiting until Wednesday to activate him.

Bundy isn't too worried about the slight dip in his fastball velocity this season, Eduardo Encina of The Baltimore Sun reports.

Despite his effective start to the season -- registering a quality start in each of his first five games -- Bundy has seen a dip in his fastball velocity. He averaged 90.2 mph with his four-seamer Wednesday night after averaging 92.4 mph through his first four starts and 95 mph throughout last season. Manager Buck Showalter said it is definitely something he will keep an eye on moving forward, especially given Bundy's injury history. When asked about his drop in velocity, Bundy seemed unfazed. "Yeah, a quality start is a quality start," the 24-year-old said. "I'm not too worried about the numbers. I don't think you guys need to be worried either... Overall I felt good when I left the game, so I'm happy about it."

Bundy (3-1) allowed two runs on four hits and two walks while striking out three over 6.2 innings but came away with a no-decision in Wednesday's 5-4 extra-inning win over the Rays.

Both runs scored on solo shots by Tim Beckham, as Bundy held the rest of the Rays lineup in check. The right-hander has now delivered five quality starts in five trips to the mound with a 1.65 ERA and 0.98 WHIP, but his 23:6 K:BB through 32.2 innings suggests he may be pitching a little over his head at the moment. The 24-year-old gets a potentially tough test in his next outing Monday on the road against the Red Sox.

Cobb (1-2) allowed three runs (two earned) on eight hits and two walks while striking out three over five innings to come away with a no-decision in Wednesday's 5-4 extra-inning loss to the Orioles.

After giving up at least four runs in each of his previous three starts, Wednesday's effort represents progress of a sort for Cobb. He was still inefficient, throwing only 54 of 94 pitches for strikes, but his solid 21:6 K:BB through 29 innings isn't reflected in his 4.66 ERA and 1.52 WHIP. He'll look for a better result Tuesday on the road against the Marlins.

Paxton (3-0) allowed just four hits and a walk over seven scoreless innings Wednesday in Detroit, striking out nine en route to an 8-0 victory.

He had a five-run misstep in his last start, but Paxton hasn't been scored on in any of his other four outings, leaving him with a 1.39 ERA and 0.84 WHIP to end his April. That's accompanied by a spectacular 39:6 K:BB in 32.1 innings, so Paxton's showing every sign that at age 28, he's finally realizing his potential, becoming the stud lefty we've been hearing about for so long.

Hamels (2-0) allowed three runs on seven hits and three walks across 6.2 innings in Wednesday's win over the Twins. He struck out one.

Hamels cruised after allowing a two-run homer in the second inning, with the only other run on his ledger coming after the bullpen let an inherited runner score with two outs in the seventh inning. He induced 10 ground balls, including a pair of double plays, as he delivered his fourth quality start in five tries. Hamels has been a consistent performer through the opening weeks of the season and will carry a 3.03 ERA to go along with a 1.13 WHIP into Tuesday's start against the Astros.

Severino (2-1) scattered three hits and two walks while striking out six over seven scoreless innings in Wednesday's 3-1 win over the Red Sox.

It's the first time this season Severino has avoided serving up a homer in a start, but the two walks actually doubled his total on the year and he now has an eye-popping 33:4 K:BB through 27 innings. He'll look to stay locked in Monday at home against the Blue Jays.

McCullers (2-1) gave up five runs on seven hits and three walks while striking out five over five innings in Wednesday's 7-6 loss to Cleveland.

The right-hander struggled to command the strike zone in this one, throwing 55 of 90 pitches for strikes, and it was the first time this season McCullers didn't strike out at least twice as many batters as he walked. His next start will come Monday at home against the Rangers.