MLB Player News

Despaigne allowed three runs on three hits and three walks in 2.1 innings Monday while taking the loss against the Dodgers.

Despaigne had location issues and may have been rattled when the Dodgers moved up the eventual tying run on a balk. Before Monday's outing, Despaigne had allowed just one earned run since being recalled in mid-June. He has likely earned the right to stick around, though the Orioles are known for juggling things at the All-Star break to keep fresh pitchers on the roster.

O'Sullivan will start Friday's game against the Rays, Brian MacPherson of the Providence Journal reports.

It came down to O'Sullivan or Clay Buchholz, and O'Sullivan earned a second start after he carried a shutout into the sixth inning of Sunday's win over the Angels. An additional factor was that manager John Farrell liked the idea of having Buchholz available out of the bullpen a day earlier than O'Sullivan would be available. We're taking this one day at a time with O'Sullivan as the fourth starter, but presuming he pitches well Friday, he'll remain in the rotation following the All-Star break.

Nolasco gave up three runs over six innings with four strikeouts and three walks in a no-decision against Oakland on Monday.

Nolasco bounced back after giving up seven earned runs in his last start and ended a poor stretch (21 earned runs in 31 innings) to post his first quality start since June 18. While Nolasco gives up too many hits, he's not getting any help from his bullpen, as they've allowed multiple inherited runs to score in his last two starts.

Darvish (shoulder) gave up three runs (two earned) over two-plus innings with five strikeouts in his first rehab start Monday for Double-A Frisco.

As shaky as he was, the five strikeouts are a great sign that his arm is healthy and all his pitches are moving like normal. Darvish threw just 42 pitches as the Rangers are easing him into the rehab assignment, which will include at least one more start before he returns to the majors. Expect him to rejoin Texas's rotation shortly after the All-Star break.

Clevinger was recalled from Triple-A Columbus on Monday.

Clevinger made three starts for the Tribe back in May, but was shelled to the tune of 14 earned runs over 14.1 innings. That led to him getting optioned to Triple-A, where the right-hander owns a respectable 2.70 ERA and .217 opponent batting average this season. Cleveland currently doesn't have any major holes in their rotation, so look for Clevinger to serve in long relief.

Cobb (elbow) will make his first rehab start Wednesday for High-A Charlotte, Marc Topkin of the Tampa Bay Times reports.

Cobb reported no issues while facing hitters in recent days, so the Rays will advance him to the final step of the arduous rehab process from Tommy John surgery. Wednesday's start will mark the first of several for Cobb, who will need to build up his arm strength and pitch count after having not pitched since the 2014 season. His rehab stint could last up to a month, or longer if he suffers any setbacks along the way, making it likely that we won't see Cobb with the Rays until late July or early August at the soonest.

Eovaldi will have his scheduled start Friday against the Indians skipped and serve in a bullpen role through the All-Star break, Brendan Kuty of the Newark Star-Ledger reports.

Though the move seems to suggest Eovaldi's rotation spot is being put on notice, manager Joe Girardi acknowledged that it was just a temporary arrangement, and that Eovaldi is still being viewed in the organization as a starter long term. Even if that's true, he still doesn't make for an appealing fantasy option at present, as he's surrendered at least four earned runs in each of his last six starts, while failing to go more than six innings in any of those contests. Outside of deeper leagues, it's unlikely many fantasy owners would have wanted to keep him active anyway for a matchup with the red-hot Indians lineup, but Eovaldi should have a better chance at delivering strong ratios during his run in the bullpen this week thanks to his premium fastball, a pitch that will likely play up in relief.

McCullers (hand) has been cleared to start Monday's game against the Mariners, Angel Verdejo of the Houston Chronicle reports.

McCullers had his previous turn skipped after developing a blister on his pitching hand, but the wound seems to have healed well enough for the right-hander to feel comfortable using all of his pitches. The youngster has been very consistent over his last seven outings, tossing between five and seven innings and striking out at least six batters in each outing. On the flip side, he's also walked at least three batters in each of those starts.

Rodriguez, making his first start for Triple-A Pawtucket since being demoted from Boston, pitched seven scoreless innings Sunday, allowing two hits and two walks while striking out four, reports Brian MacPherson of the Providence Journal.

The two hits yielded were singles and Rodriguez gave up little loud contact in an outing that stands in stark contrast to the beating he took at the hands of the Rays a week ago, when he allowed nine runs and two homers in 2.2 innings. The left-hander introduced some adjustments to fix what's bedeviled him in Boston. He threw more sliders, through it remained effective only on occasion, and he unveiled a tweak to his delivery from the stretch position designed to alleviate his pitch-tipping.

O'Sullivan allowed two runs on four hits and three walks while striking out two in Boston's win over the Angels on Sunday.

The Red Sox were in tatters following Saturday's embarrassing 21-2 loss. Apart from Saturday's ignominy, Boston's starters have pitched poorly of late and the bullpen has been taxed. So it was the journeyman O'Sullivan, called up from Triple-A to make a spot start, given the responsibility of stabilizing the team, and he did just that. It was an effort that earned him the adulation of Fenway Park and most likely another start this coming Friday against the Rays. Beyond the top three in the rotation -- David Price, Rick Porcello and Steven Wright -- the Red Sox are looking for someone, anyone, to grab hold of the final two spots.