MLB Player News

Carrasco (2-1) pitched eight scoreless innings with just three hits and a walk allowed and eight strikeouts during Saturday's win over the White Sox.

It's always encouraging when an ace takes care of business against an inferior opponent, and Carrasco did just that Saturday. He's now sporting a 1.65 ERA, 0.80 WHIP and has struck out 27 batters through 27.1 innings to start the campaign. Carrasco lines up to face the Mariners next.

Groome (back) was on the field soft tossing with the rest of the Low-A Greenville pitchers prior to Saturday's game, John Calvagno of NotesFromTheSally.com reports.

Groome, who was shelved after his first start due to a latissimus strain, does not have a firm timetable for a return to action.

Gray threw five shutout innings in his rehab outing at High-A Stockton on Saturday, Jane Lee of MLB.com reports.

Gray was very efficient during Saturday's game, as he threw a mere 47 pitches over five innings and allowed just a single hit without walking any batters. It wouldn't come as a surprise if Gray made one or two more rehab starts before rejoining Oakland's rotation, but Saturday's effort certainly indicates that he's on the right track and that his return isn't too far away.

Snell allowed three runs on three hits and five walks while striking out four over five innings in a no-decision against Houston on Saturday.

The sophomore wasn't sharp Saturday, and he's lucky the Astros didn't do more damage. Snell currently sports a 5.43 FIP and has just 15 strikeouts through 21.1 innings for the campaign, so he's fortunate to be sporting a 3.38 ERA. Command also continues to be a problem, and he'll need to improve on his 13.9 walk percentage. Snell projects to face the Blue Jays at Rogers Centre next.

Morton (1-2) allowed five runs on eight hits and two walks while striking out six batters over five innings during Saturday's loss to Tampa Bay.

This was an underwhelming outing, and Morton's ERA climbed to 4.29 in the loss. His ability to induce groundballs (49.3 percent for the year) and respectable 8.14 K/9 make him a low-end starter for mixed leagues, but avoiding him against tough opponents isn't out of the question, either. He lines up to face Oakland next, so that will be a telling start, as the Athletics don't project as a daunting matchup.

Meyer was optioned to Triple-A Salt Lake on Saturday, Pedro Moura of the Los Angeles Times reports.

Meyer made a spot start Friday and gave up two runs over 3.2 innings, his first major league outing of the season. He'll return to Salt Lake, where he has a 4.80 ERA and 1.60 WHIP for the year.

Mejia was optioned to Triple-A Rochester following Saturday's game, Mike Berardino of the St. Paul Pioneer Press reports.

The 23-year-old labored through 2.2 innings Saturday against Detroit, needing 70 pitches to record eight outs. It's uncertain who will replace Mejia in the rotation the next time the Twins need a fifth starter, but Jose Berrios is off to a strong start with Rochester, compiling a 1.42 ERA, 0.79 WHIP and 18:3 K:BB in his first 19 innings.

Mejia allowed three runs on five hits and three walks while striking out six over 2.2 innings in a no-decision against the Tigers on Saturday.

Mejia gave up homers to Nick Castellanos and Justin Upton in the third inning, and had his day cut short despite fanning six Tigers. Mejia has been on the mound for a total of 9.1 innings over three starts while posting a 5.79 ERA, making it extremely difficult to count on him as a fantasy option. He'll make his next start Friday against the Royals.

Cobb will get the start Wednesday against the Orioles, Marc Topkin of the Tampa Bay Times reports.

The right-hander has been uneven through four starts this season, allowing four earned runs in each of his last three outings after getting the win in his first start. His ERA has ballooned to 4.88 and his WHIP has risen to 1.42. He'll be opposed by Dylan Bundy on the mound Wednesday at Camden Yards.

Odorizzi (hamstring) threw a bullpen session and took part in some running drills Saturday, Roger Mooney of the Tampa Bay Times reports.

It appears that Odorizzi cleared a major hurdle Saturday as he threw a 36-pitch bullpen without incident and his hamstring held up to the increased activity. Odorizzi is eligible to return from the disabled list Wednesday in Baltimore, which lines up with when Alex Cobb is set to start. If Odorizzi does come off the DL on Wednesday, he very well could be a candidate to start that night if Tampa opts to push Cobb back a day.