MLB Player News

Smith was struck on the right side of his back by a comebacker in Friday's game for Double-A Corpus Christi and is considered day-to-day, MLB.com's Brian McTaggart reports.

He has not allowed a run in three innings, despite surrendering four hits and a walk while striking out two. A fourth round pick in 2011, Smith has not gained much traction as a prospect, in part because he needed Tommy John surgery last offseason.

Hamels' next start was moved up to Tuesday against the Astros, meaning he will be in line for two starts next week.

His turn in the rotation would have come up on Wednesday, but with the off day Monday, the Rangers opted to move him up in the rotation in an effort to maximize the number of appearances they can get from him this season. He's a relative must start regardless of how many starts he is on tap for each week, but now on two starts he could swing some head-to-head matchups.

The A's are targeting a late-May or early-June return date for Alvarez (shoulder), John Hickey of the Bay Area News Group reports.

Alvarez is slated to throw one more bullpen session before setting out on a rehab assignment, according to Jane Lee of MLB.com. Given the nature of the injury and the amount of down time following Alvarez's shoulder surgery, the A's will be patient with him and give him multiple starts at the minor league level before plugging him into the big league rotation.

Meyer threw 6.1 scoreless innings with eight strikeouts and no walks in Friday's start for Triple-Rochester.

Meyer has thrown 10.1 scoreless innings with a 10:2 K:BB in two starts this season. He moved to the rotation from the bullpen and the initial returns are encouraging. He could get a shot in the majors early in the season if he keeps this up.

Perez did not factor into the decision in Friday's 11-5 loss to the Orioles. He surrendered six hits, three runs (two earned) and two walks over six-plus innings. He struck out six.

The hard-luck 25-year-old pitched well for the third straight start, yet still does not have a win on the 2016 ledger. Perez has gone at least six innings in all three trips to the mound this season, and largely stayed away from the long ball. All but one of the Orioles' barrage of homers came against the bullpen Friday, and Perez was also able to induce an impressive 16 swings-and-misses among his 102 pitches. He'll try to secure that elusive first victory when he takes the mound again next Thursday at home versus the Astros.

Grube gave up four hits and three earned runs in 1.2 innings on Wednesday for Triple-A Columbus.

Grube finished last season with Columbus, and he will begin 2016 right where he left off. He had a tremendous year in 2015, going 9-0 in 13 starts with a 2.26 ERA in 79.2 innings with the club. The 34-year-old also turned in an impressive spring with the Indians, throwing nine innings without giving up an earned run. Even though he has only pitched in one career game in the majors, Grube has a chance to contribute at some point during the season if he continues to pitch well for Columbus.

Worley (1-0) surrendered four hits, four earned runs and two walks over six innings in Friday's 11-5 victory over the Rangers. He struck out six.

Named the fifth starter for the time being due to Kevin Gausman's back troubles, Worley was solid overall in his 87-pitch stint. He gave up righty-masher Mitch Moreland's first homer of the season in the second, but otherwise practiced adequate damage control against a dangerous Rangers lineup in Globe Life Park. Friday's performance certainly provided much greater encouragement than Worley's 4.2-inning stint versus the Rays on Apr. 10, and he may receive one more turn before Gausman is ready for a return.

Hill struggled on Friday night against the Royals, taking the loss while allowing nine hits and three earned runs over only 4.1 innings.

After a great last outing, Hill reverted back to his poor form from opening night, throwing 106 pitches over 4.1 innings. Hill did manage to strike out six Royals, but allowed 12 base runners in the same stretch. Hill will next toe the rubber Thursday in New York against the Yankees.

Severino allowed four runs on eight hits, walking one and striking out a pair over 5.2 innings of a 7-1 loss to Seattle on Friday night.

Severino (0-2, 5.91 ERA) was a hot commodity in fantasy circles this spring, but he has gotten off to a disappointing start. He has a very live arm, but has struggled to consistently locate his pitches so far. Expect he and the Yankees to adjust accordingly. He remains a blue chip pitching prospect so patience is probably the order of the day. He'll take on Oakland in the Bronx next time out.

Milone (0-1) allowed four runs on eight hits and one walk while striking out two over six innings, but received no decision Friday against the Angels.

Milone was on top of his game while shutting out the Angels through five innings before falling apart in the sixth and seventh innings. Although two of the runs were unearned in his previous start, he's allowed four runners to score in each of his first two outings. He'll make his next start Wednesday at the Brewers.