MLB Player News

Scherzer (thumb) built up to 75 pitches in a rehab start for Triple-A Buffalo on Wednesday, allowing one hit and two walks over 4.1 scoreless innings while striking out eight.

The workload was arguably more important than the numbers in the box score, as the 40-year-old right-hander had trouble getting past about 50 pitches in prior rehab outings earlier in the season without having issues with his thumb. Assuming Scherzer doesn't experience any soreness with the digit following the outing, his next start seems likely to come with the Blue Jays. He could make his return from the 60-day injured list early next week during Toronto's series in Cleveland.

Houck (elbow) allowed one run on two hits and one walk over one-plus innings for Triple-A Worcester on Wednesday.

Houck worked around a couple of singles for a scoreless first inning and was removed after walking the first batter faced in the second. He threw 32 pitches (18 strikes), and the short pitch count appears to have been by design. Houck told Chris Cotillo of MassLive.com that he was pain-free. He said his next rehab start will come Tuesday for the WooSox and that he'll then make a third the following Sunday.

The White Sox placed Houser on the paternity list Thursday.

By rule, Houser will miss the next 1-to-3 games. According to Jack Ankony of SI.com, Houser is still expected to pitch this weekend in Toronto when his next turn through the rotation comes up, though it's not yet clear which day he'll start.

The Yankees selected Sandridge's contract from Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre on Thursday.

A 26-year-old lefty reliever, Sandridge will be making his MLB debut when he gets into a game. After beginning the season on Scranton/Wilkes-Barre's 60-day injured list, Sandridge has been effective since he was cleared to return to action for the affiliate in late May. Over his six appearances prior to his call-up, Sandridge allowed one earned run on four hits and four walks while striking out 13 over seven innings.

Rogers didn't factor into the decision Wednesday against Tampa Bay, giving up three runs on five hits and three walks in 2.1 innings. He struck out four.

Summoned from Triple-Norfolk to replace the injured Cade Povich (hip) in the Orioles' rotation, Rogers' second start of the season wasn't nearly as impressive as his first. After firing 6.1 shutout innings in his season debut back on May 24 in Boston, the 27-year-old southpaw exhibited poor control while issuing three walks but did manage to whiff 10 during his abbreviated outing. Rogers' next turn in the rotation tentatively projects for next week versus the Rangers, who have scuffled to the tune of a .604 OPS against lefties since May 1.

Severino (2-7) completed five innings against Houston on Wednesday, allowing two runs on nine hits and one walk while striking out five batters in a loss.

Though the Astros' offense exploded for 11 runs in the contest, most of the scoring came against the A's bullpen. That's not to say Severino had an impressive performance -- he needed 97 pitches to complete five frames and gave up nine hits -- but he mostly managed to work his way out of trouble, and the only extra-base hit he surrendered was a solo homer by Mauricio Dubon in the third inning. Severino began June with two rough outings during which he yielded 13 earned runs across 11.1 frames, but he's bounced back in his subsequent two starts, giving up just three earned runs over 12.2 innings in the latter span.

Valdez (8-4) earned the win over the Athletics on Wednesday, allowing two runs on five hits and five walks while striking out three batters over six innings.

Valdez didn't have his best stuff Wednesday -- he issued a season-high five walks and notched just three strikeouts -- but he admirably managed to mostly work out of trouble to register a quality start. The southpaw trailed 1-0 after two innings, though Houston's offense kicked into gear after that, helping Valdez cruise to a relatively comfortable win. The 31-year-old held a 1-4 record through seven starts this season, but since then he's collected seven victories in eight outings, posting a 2.13 ERA, 1.02 WHIP and 62:18 K:BB over 55 frames during the latter span. He'll look to keep rolling in his next start, which is projected to be a home tilt against the Phillies.

Ober (4-4) was saddled with the loss Wednesday against Cincinnati, giving up four runs on nine hits and no walks in 5.2 innings. He struck out five.

Wednesday's first pitch was delayed by rain for about two hours, and Ober was not at his best during a truncated game that was called in the sixth inning following another delay. The right-hander did generate 10 whiffs, but it was discouragingly his third consecutive start where he yielded at least four runs. Ober owns a 4.54 ERA and 1.40 WHIP for the season, and his next start lines up as a home outing versus the Mariners.

Allen (5-4) earned the win over San Francisco on Wednesday, allowing two runs on four hits and two walks while striking out four batters over 5.1 innings.

Allen cruised through four scoreless frames before giving up a two-run homer to Heliot Ramos in the fifth. The lefty hurler finished that inning and was brought out for the sixth but faced just one batter -- whom he retired -- before being lifted at 95 pitches. Though that prevented him from notching consecutive quality starts for the first time this season, the outing as a whole was a positive one for Allen, who has picked up two straight wins for the first time on the campaign while giving up just four runs across 11.1 innings in those outings. Allen will look to keep that momentum in his next start, which lines up to be a home matchup versus Toronto.

Bradley allowed seven runs (six earned) on six hits and one walk while striking out two across 1.1 innings Wednesday against the Orioles. He did not factor into the decision.

Bradley made it through the first inning with relative ease, but his start spiraled out of control in the second frame. He allowed six of the first eight batters he faced to reach base -- and one additional reached via error -- including a pair of home runs before being removed from the outing. Bradley is in the midst of a disastrous stretch, as he's allowed 19 total runs across his three starts and 9.1 innings, although only 13 of those have been earned. The lone positive from his outing Wednesday was the fact that the Rays rallied to win, so Bradley wasn't charged with a loss.