MLB Player News

Hamels (8-1) whiffed eight Reds over six innings of one-run ball Wednesday, allowing just five hits and two walks in a 6-4 win.

The bullpen made this game closer than it needed to be, but Hamels gave them more than leeway to work with by way of his fifth straight quality start. He may not be quite as dominant as the good old days -- his 1.40 HR/9 and 3.44 BB/9 are both easily career worsts -- but the 32-year-old lefty has given fantasy owners precious little to complain about. That said, he's never had peripherals this ugly (4.57 FIP) before, so the baseball gods may send some painful regression Hamels' way soon. He'll head to New York for a road start against the Yankees on Tuesday.

Rodriguez allowed four runs (three earned) on four hits and a pair of walks while striking out seven over six innings Wednesday against the White Sox.

He left with the lead, but ended up with no decision thanks to Koji Uehara getting blown up in the eighth. This was a much-needed improvement after three consecutive ugly starts by Quintana, but it was still well short of spectacular. The 23-year-old lefty has tons of upside, though, and it seems the Red Sox are inclined to see what he can do over an extended period of time in the rotation. He'll start again Monday against the Rays.

Quintana put a slew of men on base Wednesday in Boston, as he allowed eight hits and six walks in 5.1 innings, resulting in six runs on his ledger. He struck out just one and didn't factor into the decision.

Fortunately for the lefty, his offense pulled this one out against the Red Sox bullpen. following what was certainly his worst start of the season. This was wholly unlike the Quintana we've been seeing, as Wednesday represents only the third time in 15 starts that he's allowed more than three runs. It's also the first time all year that he's had more walks than strikeouts -- you certainly don't expect a one-strikeout, six-walk performance from a guy who comes into the game with an 87:18 K:BB. Give the guy a mulligan on this one and look forward to a rebound when he draws the much lighter-hitting Twins on Tuesday.

McCullers (3-2) allowed just one runs on six hits over 5.2 innings but took a no-decision in the victory over the Angels on Wednesday. He also struck out six and walked three.

He threw 61 of his 97 pitches for strikes and induced 17 swing-and-misses. It's the second straight outing that McCullers allowed two or fewer runs in 5-plus frames but took a no-decision. He has a 3.91 ERA, 1.67 WHIP and 56 strikeouts in 46.0 innings. His next scheduled start will be Tuesday versus the Angels again.

Kopech will join High-A Salem in the coming days, where he should pitch for the foreseeable future, the Boston Globe's Alex Speier reports.

He has had a tumultuous calendar year, getting suspended for taking a banned substance and then fracturing his throwing hand in an altercation with a teammate, but Kopech remains one of the Red Sox's top pitching prospects. The 20-year-old righty allowed four hits and four walks while striking out four over 4.1 scoreless frames in a rehab start with Short-Season Lowell last week, and figures to stick at Salem for the remainder of the 2016 season.

Darvish (shoulder) could progress to throwing a bullpen session Saturday, but he won't be ready for a simulated game for another week, Jeff Wilson of the Fort Worth Star-Telegram reports.

Darvish has been making progress towards a return from some shoulder tightness, and it seems that a major step forward could be on the horizon with a bullpen possibly in the offing. Still, expectations should be tempered a bit as Darvish remains at least a week away from facing live batters, whether it's in a simulated game or in a minor league rehab game. A further update on Darvish's progress figures to be made available later in the week if he is indeed able to throw a bullpen.

Manager Scott Servais said Wednesday that he believes Walker (foot) will be ready to go next week, Shannon Drayer of 710 ESPN Seattle reports.

This echoes the team's sentiment from earlier in the week that, despite Walker being scratched from Friday's start, he should be able to avoid the disabled list. Walker is dealing with posterior tibial tendinitis, which stems from the right-hander having extremely flat feet, and the issue is aggravated every time he pushes off the pitching rubber.

Worley (groin) remains on track to return from the disabled list when he's eligible on Jun. 28, Jon Meoli of the Baltimore Sun reports.

The long reliever has already begun throwing bullpen sessions and he is set to throw another Thursday. According to MASN's Roch Kubatko, Worley could set out for a brief rehab assignment in the coming days, but the plan is still to have him activated by June 28 provided he doesn't suffer a setback.

Hill (groin) will make a rehab start at High-A Stockton on Monday, Jane Lee of MLB.com reports.

If everything goes smoothly, Hill could rejoin the Oakland rotation for his next start. The 36-year-old owns a 2.25 ERA and 1.13 WHIP through 11 starts this season and will look to help improve the A's pitching staff, which ranks 27th in the MLB with a 4.65 ERA, upon his return. More information regarding his timetable for return should be released following his start.

Aiken pitched two scoreless innings, allowing no hits and striking out three in his professional baseball debut for the ALZ Indians on Monday.

The long-awaited debut for the left-hander Aiken was a success as he continues on his road to recovery from Tommy John surgery. Aiken, the 17th overall pick in the 2015 draft, will be brought back slowly by the Indians' organization. Look for him to spend most of his time in the Arizona League for the remainder of the 2016 season.