MLB Player News

Snell will be recalled to start Saturday against the Yankees, Marc Topkin of the Tampa Bay Times reports.

Erasmo Ramirez was needed in relief Thursday, creating an opening for Saturday, and it will be the prospect Snell who draws the assignment. Snell hasn't been especially efficient in three starts with Triple-A Durham this season, failing to go more than five innings in any outing, but he does have a 21:7 K:BB, and the lefty was virtually unhittable for stretches last season. If he performs well, Snell could stick in the No. 5 spot, keeping Ramirez in the bullpen.

Nolasco (1-0) threw 6.1 innings Thursday, allowing one run on five hits while walking one and striking out seven in a win over the Brewers.

The 32-year-old right-hander is off to a nice start in 2016. Through his first three starts, Nolasco has a 2.66 ERA and an impressive 0.98 WHIP. It's unlikely that he will continue outpacing his career averages at such an extraordinary rate, but Nolasco has proven throughout his 10-year career that he is more than capable of being a solid fantasy contributor at times.

Keuchel (2-2) had his worst outing of April, yielding six runs on 13 hits over six innings in a loss to the Rangers on Thursday. He also struck out five and walked none.

Through his first two starts, Keuchel struck out 13 and walked 10, so it's definitely good to see him find the zone more often, as he has just one walk in his last 14 innings, but the Rangers hitters just took advantage of his strikes Thursday night. Keuchel hadn't given up 13 hits in one game since July 4, 2014. He will look to get back on track Tuesday against Seattle.

Hill (2-2) struck out 10 over six innings Thursday against the Yankees, allowing two runs (one earned) on three hits and four walks in a winning effort.

That's two 10-strikeout games for Hill in his first three starts, which will certainly help put the bad taste of a horrendous spring training behind him. He's gone from looking like he couldn't get anyone out to striking out the world -- we're talking 29 whiffs in 19 innings over his first four starts. He'll next draw the Tigers on Tuesday.

Severino allowed two runs on seven hits Thursday in a no-decision against the Athletics. He struck out four without a walk over six innings.

After he turned in spotty work over his first two starts, it's nice to see Severino finish out six solid frames. There are high expectations for the young righty after he posted a 2.89 ERA over 11 starts for the Yankees last year, and he may be a bit less consistent than fantasy owners would like as the league adjusts to him, but there's obviously tons of upside here.

Odorizzi (0-1) pitched four innings, allowing five runs, eight hits and one walk while striking out three against the Red Sox on Thursday. He did not factor in the decision.

Luckily for Odorizzi, his counterpart, David Price, put on an even worse performance than he did. Thursday's game marks the first time this season (four starts) that the right-hander did not make it into the sixth inning. Through 22.2 innings, Odorizzi sports a 3.97 ERA with an attractive 23:4 K:BB. It won't get any easier for the 26-year-old as he takes the hill next against the Orioles, who knocked him around pretty good early this month.

Alvarez will make his next rehab start Monday with Triple-A Nashville, Jane Lee of MLB.com reports.

Alvarez fired three innings in his first rehab appearance with High-A Stockton, giving up a run on three hits while striking out one batter. He's making steady progress through his rehab program, and it appears he's staying on schedule for a return in late-May or early-June.

Darvish (elbow) threw a bullpen session Thursday and remains on track to begin a rehab assignment early next week, Evan Grant of the Dallas Morning News reports.

Darvish threw 47 pitches without issue in Thursday's session. The Rangers will wait until Friday to determine the next step in his recovery, but if all checks out, he is lined up to kick off an official rehab assignment Tuesday.

Cobb (elbow) has progressed to throwing off the top of a mound in his rehab, Marc Topkin of the Tampa Bay Times reports.

The 28-year-old right-hander, recovering from May 2015 Tommy John surgery, took the latest step in his recovery on Tuesday in St. Petersburg. A potential mid-season return remains viable, assuming that the rehab process continues setback-free.

Walker (1-0) picked up his first win of 2016 against the Indians on Wednesday. He pitched six innings, allowing one unearned run, three hits and no walks while striking out six.

The right-hander seems to be at his best when he faces the Indians. Walker beat them twice last season and has allowed one earned run in 20 innings over three appearances versus the Tribe. In 2015, it took the 23-year-old 10 starts before he made it through an outing without issuing a walk. Tuesday, he held his opponent in check without issuing a free pass for the second time in just his first three starts of the year. Control problems are what's held Walker back, but early 2016 indicators say he's ready to take the next step in his career.