MLB Player News

Bassitt (elbow) will throw 45 pitches in a simulated game Monday in Arizona, Jane Lee of MLB.com reports.

Bassitt continues to stretch out as he gears up for a rehab assignment. He threw 30 pitches in his last simulated game, and once he starts to near a typical starter's workload, the Athletics will feel comfortable enough with his progress to send him on a rehab assignment. He remains on pace for a late-May return.

Meyer was recalled from Triple-A Salt Lake and will start Friday against the Blue Jays, Maria Guardado of MLB.com reports.

Friday's start will be the seventh of Meyer's career at the major-league level. It's expected to just be a spot start for Meyer, but depending on how he fares, there's a chance he could push JC Ramirez back to the bullpen. Meyer has given up eight runs on 19 hits with 18 strikeouts to five walks in three starts for Salt Lake so far this season (15 innings).

Odorizzi (hamstring) is expected to throw a bullpen session Saturday, Roger Mooney of the Tampa Bay Times reports.

The right-hander seems to be progressing nicely after leaving his April 15 start with hamstring tightness. It's unclear when Odorizzi will be ready to face hitters again, but more details should emerge after he completes Saturday's session.

Paxton didn't factor into the decision in Thursday's start against the Athletics despite racking up eight strikeouts, as he gave up five earned runs on nine hits, a walk and a wild pitch over 4.1 innings.

After looking like one of the most dominant pitchers in baseball over his first three starts, Paxton finally looked human against a rather unlikely opponent in the A's. The Mariners lefty fired 91 pitches and did notch 14 swings-and-misses, but ran into trouble in both the third and fifth innings. Paxton powered his way through the former, limiting the damage to two runs by striking out Jed Lowrie, Khris Davis and Trevor Plouffe. However, he had no such luck in his final frame, getting only one out and surrendering two earned runs on three hits, a walk and wild pitch before exiting. Despite the stumble, the 28-year-old still stymied plenty of hitters, and will look to bounce back in a road start against the struggling Tigers next Tuesday.

Miley struck out 11 over eight superb innings against the Reds on Thursday night, allowing just one run on two hits and a walk, though he didn't receive a decision.

It's early, but Miley has been awfully hard to hit, compiling a stunning 24:8 K:BB while allowing only eight base knocks over his first 19 innings. Obviously, there's some BABIP luck at play there, but the advanced stats like this version of Miley; if he keeps striking batters out like he has in his last two starts, he could experience a lot of success. Of course, he is 30 years old and has never shown any sign of being this kind of stud pitcher, so don't plunge headlong in fantasy.

McCullers (2-0) allowed three hits and three walks while striking out eight over 6.2 innings in Thursday's 2-1 win over the Angels.

McCullers generated 13 swings and misses and had his secondary stuff working Thursday. He held the Angels hitless until the fifth and ceded just three singles before leaving the game. The 23-year-old right-hander has punched out 31 batters while walking just six over 24 innings.

Sale allowed four hits and a walk while striking out 13 over eight innings in Thursday's 4-1 extra-inning win over Toronto.

A potential win was negated when closer Craig Kimbrel allowed a game-tying run in the ninth. What Sale has done through four starts with his new team is remarkable. The Red Sox have supported him with a mere four runs over the 29.2 innings he's pitched -- Sale has yet to pitch with a two-run cushion -- and he took the mound with a lead in just six of the 30 innings he's started. The left-hander has handled the pressure of a tight game flawlessly, putting the Red Sox in position to win three of his four starts.

Asher will head to the bullpen and will not start Saturday against the Red Sox, Roch Kubatko of MASN reports.

Despite registering a quality start in his only start of the season, Asher will head to the bullpen as Jayson Aquino gets the nod to start Saturday. He'll likely serve as a long reliever out of the bullpen for the time being, though the possibility of him making another spot start still remains.

Asher remains an option to start Saturday against the Red Sox, MASN's Roch Kubatko reports.

The Orioles have announced that Dylan Bundy will pitch on normal rest Friday, meaning either Asher or Jayson Aquino will start Saturday. Both pitchers were available out of the bullpen, but were not used Wednesday. If one of them comes in as a reliever Thursday or Friday, it should become clear who will get the chance to continue as the fifth starter while Chris Tillman (shoulder) is out. Asher has a career 5.43 ERA in 63 innings as a starter, but gave up just one run on three hits with five strikeouts in 6.1 innings in his lone start this year.

Bundy's next start was moved up to Friday against the Red Sox, MASN's Roch Kubatko reports.

His normal turn would have come Saturday, but the Orioles will take advantage of Monday's off day and move him up to pitch on normal rest Friday. This means either Jayson Aquino or Alec Asher will get the start Saturday. Bundy will face Drew Pomeranz instead of the Red Sox's Saturday starter, Steven Wright.