MLB Player News

Hill, who was activated off the disabled list to start Saturday, will be on a pitch count, Joe Stiglich of CSN Bay Area reports. He had missed the last month due to a groin injury.

A's manager Bob Melvin said he expected Hill to be on a similar pitch count as Sean Manaea was in his first start off the disabled list earlier this week. Manaea threw 83 pitches against the Giants on Wednesday.

Verlander was solid Saturday against the Rays, allowing just four hits and one walk while striking out eight in a 3-2 win. He gave up two runs (one earned) in seven innings.

It was a nice rebound for Verlander who had been hit hard his last time out. Both runs came on sacrifice flies, but he was his own worst enemy on the first run because of an errant pickoff throw. Verlander is 8-6 with a 1.10 WHIP.

Hill (groin) was activated from the 15-day DL on Saturday.

With Hill's groin injury behind him, hopefully he will pick up where he left off before landing on the DL. He has a 2.25 ERA that is backed up by a 74:24 K:BB in 64 innings, and he's going to be one of the top trade targets among contending teams looking to add an impact arm at the deadline. Hill will face rookie Chad Kuhl and the Pirates on Saturday. Andrew Triggs was optioned to Triple-A in a corresponding move.

Eovaldi (6-6) lasted just 4.1 innings Friday, allowing six runs on seven hits in the loss to the Padres.

The long ball continues to plague Eovaldi, as he served up two more Friday to bring his year-long total to a whopping 19 home runs allowed. He's now allowed at least four runs (and one home run) without going deeper than six innings in six consecutive starts, ballooning his ERA to 5.54 in the process.

Perez (7-4) allowed two runs on five hits and three walks while striking out four over seven innings, but received no decision Friday at the Twins.

Perez shut down the Twins for six innings before getting a two-run lead in the top of the seventh inning. Unfortunately, he then gave up a game-tying homer to Trevor Plouffe in the bottom of the frame to keep him from earning his eighth win of the year. He's now posted six quality starts over his last eight outings, and he has a 3.39 ERA on the year. He'll make his next start Wednesday at the Red Sox.

Smyly (2-9) allowed six runs, four of which were earned, on six hits and four walks while striking out eight to take the loss Friday against the Tigers.

Smyly held the Tigers in check for three innings before struggling to handle them the second time through the batting order. He's only been able to post one quality start over his last seven starts, and he now has a 5.33 ERA on the season. He'll make his next start Wednesday against the Angels.

Stroman received a no-decision in Friday's 2-1, 19-inning loss to the Indians. He surrendered five hits, an earned run and a walk over 6.2 innings while striking out six.

After an extended stretch of mostly poor pitching, Stroman ironically got his act together against the hottest team in baseball. He threw 65 of 96 pitches for strikes, notched first-pitch strikes on 17 of 28 hitters, and induced 11 swings-and-misses. The 25-year-old finished June with a 1-3 record and 7.76 ERA over five outings with only one quality start during that span, so Friday's effort was certainly a sight for sore eyes in every sense. Stroman will attempt to continue steering the ship in the right direction next Wednesday versus the Royals.

Cobb (elbow) threw a two-inning, 35-pitch live batting practice session Thursday, Marc Topkin of the Tampa Bay Times reports.

The 28-year-old fired away at Steven Souza (hip) and Nick Franklin, and came away pleased with the results. Cobb threw 20 pitches during the first inning, and logged 15 more in the second and final frame. He's currently scheduled for a bullpen session Sunday, after which he'll be evaluated for a minor league rehab assignment.

Darvish (shoulder) will make a rehab start at Double-A Frisco on Monday.

After he threw a successful sim-game on Wednesday, the Rangers feel comfortable with sending Darvish out to begin his rehab assignment Monday. He's expected to throw roughly 45 pitches or three innings during his outing at Double-A Frisco. Given that pitch count, he'll likely need at least one more rehab start to push his pitch count up towards a more normal workload.

O'Sullivan is scheduled to start Sunday's game against the Angels, Evan Drellich of the Boston Herald reports.

O'Sullivan, whose Triple-A start on Thursday was skipped in preparation for this move, made 11 starts for Triple-A Pawtucket this season and sparkled, posting a 6-2 record with a 2.79 ERA over 71 innings. He'll now have a chance to carry over his minor league production Sunday as he faces off against Matt Shoemaker and the Angels.