MLB Player News

Hamels (12-3) pitched seven innings, allowing three runs, four hits and four walks while striking out six Orioles in Wednesday's loss.

Entering the game, Hamels was 7-1 in his previous 11 starts and 3-0 with a 0.84 ERA since the All-Star break. On Wednesday, the lefty showed that he's still locked in at that high level, but just lost focus in one costly inning. Hamels yielded three runs and three hits in a rocky first inning, then retired 13 of the next 14 batters without allowing a hit. Surprisingly, Orioles starter Kevin Gausman, who entered the game with just two victories, outdueled Hamels in this one. Despite his hot arm, owners may want to use caution before deploying Hamels in his next start Monday at Coors Field.

Gausman (3-8) pitched seven innings, allowing two runs, seven hits and one walk while striking out seven Rangers in Wednesday's win.

Gausman has tallied five quality starts in his last seven outings, and earned the win in three of those five. The 25-year-old right-hander has made it to his most successful part of the season. In his three previous MLB seasons, Gausman posted a 4.74 ERA prior to the All-Star break, and a 3.92 mark post Midsummer Classic. Almost all of his career numbers suggest he is about to hit stride as we near the fantasy playoffs. Gausman's next start will come Monday in Oakland.

Sale (14-5) took the loss in an eight-inning complete game Wednesday against the Tigers. He allowed two runs on six hits and one walk while striking out 10.

Through Sale's first 17 starts of the year, the White Sox went 14-3; however, in the southpaw's last four outings, the team is 0-4. Of course not all of this can be put on Sale, but he hasn't exactly helped the cause throughout the losing streak. Over his last four games, the 27-year old has averaged three walks per nine, solidly above his BB/9 average on the season, and holds a 4.00 ERA during the skid. In his defense, Sale had one major blow up against the Braves (eight runs on ten hits over five innings) that skew the numbers, and he's actually lowered his ERA despite going 0-3 since July 8. In addition, Sale put together a string of three straight quality starts with nothing to show for his efforts. When you dissect all of this, you'll see the diagnosis doesn't have as much to do with the pitcher as it does with the White Sox anemic offense that has been a bottom-feeder in the AL for runs scored since June. Sale remains a Cy Young candidate in every sense of the term. He ranks in the AL's top five for wins, strikeouts, complete games, WHIP and innings pitched.

Severino (1-6) worked 4.1 innings of one-hit relief, allowing one walk and an unearned run while striking out five and earning the win Wednesday against the Mets.

The young fireballer's been a new man since getting moved to the bullpen, having pitched 8.1 innings with zero earned runs, one hit and a 10:3 K:BB. Severino impressed after his call-up last year, but has been alternately ineffective (6.02 ERA even after Wednesday) and injured at the MLB level this season. The 22-year-old's been better in Triple-A, though, with a 3.25 ERA. It doesn't seem like he's primed to offer much fantasy value down the stretch because he's in the bullpen and not in the mix for holds or saves, but Severino's showing positive signs that should ensure fantasy owners remember his name for next year.

Alvarez (shoulder) will start a throwing program this week after discovering no nerve damage to his shoulder, John Hickey of the Bay Area News Group reports.

Alvarez has yet to pitch in a game this season, but could be ready to return to the field soon. He has experienced a few setbacks over the course of this season, most recently being shut down for three weeks back in June, and has visited Dr. James Andrews on a few occasions. Alvarez should now be able to begin taking steps forward, but the team may decide to proceed cautiously due to his past history.

Walker (foot) will get the start for Saturday's game against the Angels, Kevin Shockey of Seattle Sports Radio 950 AM reports.

Walker has been out since July with a foot injury that will require surgery during the offseason. He recently reached the last step in his recovery, joining Triple-A Tacoma for a rehab assignment Monday, and going 4.1 innings on the mound without a setback. Walker's start will push James Paxton's back to Sunday, giving him an extra day of rest.

McCullers was diagnosed with a mild elbow sprain, Brian T. Smith of the Houston Chronicle reports.

McCullers isn't expected to throw for at least two weeks, so he'll likely be out until at least the latter end of August. The team will want to be careful with McCullers, as he'd been drastically improving in recent starts and owned a 2.57 ERA and 12.9 K/9 over his last five outings.

Musgrove will join the Astros' rotation on Sunday with Lance McCullers landing on the DL with elbow discomfort, the Houston Chronicle's Angel Verdejo reports.

He is likely already owned in deeper/serious leagues after making a very impressive debut Tuesday, striking out eight over 4.1 one-hit innings of relief, but if he is still available on waivers, now is the time to grab him in mid-sized leagues. Musgrove is one of the Astros' top prospects and a top-100 prospect in the game. He uses plus-plus control and mid-90s fastball to get ahead of hitters early, and can rack up strikeouts while maintaining efficient pitch counts. McCullers is out indefinitely and Musgrove should get at least a handful of starts as long as he can keep his head above water.

McCullers was placed on the 15-day DL on Wednesday with elbow discomfort.

One of the Astros' top prospects, Joe Musgrove, will take McCullers' spot in the rotation and start against the Rangers on Sunday. This is a major blow for the Astros, as McCullers has as much talent as anyone in that rotation. The term "discomfort" doesn't provide much for owners to work with, and his official status could change in the coming days. It's safe to say he could be headed for a lengthy absence.

Severino will remain in the bullpen for the time being despite the Yankees' trade of Ivan Nova on Monday, the Westchester Journal News reports.

Chad Green is replacing Nova in the Yankees' rotation, while Severino is a candidate to continue being used as a multi-inning reliever. In a pair of two-inning outs since being recalled from Triple-A, Severino has fanned five and walked two without allowing a hit or a run.