MLB Player News

Keuchel (2-1) pitched eight scoreless innings and allowed only five hits in Friday's 1-0 victory over the Tigers. He walked a batter and struck out four.

The 28-year-old southpaw was highly effective against one of the most dangerous lineups in the league, inducing double-digit ground balls (13) for the second straight start. Keuchel was sharp throughout, throwing 72 of his 108 pitches for strikes. Coming off a breakout 20-win season in 2015, Keuchel has generated a 2.18 ERA over 20.2 innings to date in 2016.

Odorizzi did not factor into the decision while throwing seven innings of four-hit, scoreless ball in Friday's 1-0 loss to the White Sox. He gave up a walk and struck out six.

The 26-year-old right-hander ran into some tough luck Friday, as his teammates were thoroughly stymied by Chris Sale for nine innings. Odorizzi encouragingly increased his inning-count for the second straight game, while throwing the least amount of pitches (94) of his first three starts. The outlook doesn't look much brighter for Odorizzi in his next start, which is scheduled to come next Thursday versus David Price and the Red Sox in Fenway Park.

Sale (1-0) struck out nine and threw a two-hit, complete-game shutout in Friday's 1-0 victory over the Rays.

The White Sox ace was simply masterful in mowing down a Rays squad that has struggled to score in the first two weeks of the season. He found the strike zone with 71 of his 106 pitches and induced 18 swings-and-misses along the way as well. He retired 16 straight between the second and seventh innings, and has now racked up 23 whiffs in 23 innings of work. Sale will look to extend his stellar start to the season when he takes the mound against the Angels next Wednesday.

Bassit will take the mound Sunday against the Royals after being bumped back a day in the rotation, John Hickey of the Bay Area News Group reports.

Bassit flipped spots in the rotation with Sonny Gray, and will pitch Sunday as a result. The Athletics simply want to keep Gray on his regular rest as opposed to him having an extra day off due to Oakland having an off day earlier in the week. Bassit's performance to begin the season played no factor in the decision.

Gray will have his next scheduled start moved up from Sunday to Saturday this weekend, Susan Slusser of the San Francisco Chronicle reports.

According to Slusser, manager Bob Melvin simply wanted to flip Gray and Chris Bassitt in order to keep Gray on regular rest. He'll face the Royals, who will be starting Chris Young on the mound while Bassitt will get the start Sunday against Kris Medlen.

McCullers (shoulder) will not make his scheduled rehab start Saturday, Jake Kaplan of the Houston Chronicle reports.

Manager A.J. Hinch said that the right-hander is "fine," but the team will play it safe and hold McCullers out after he had some trouble bouncing back following Monday's outing. McCullers threw 48 pitches over three innings in his first rehab start for Double-A Corpus Christi, allowing one run on three hits (including a home run). He will not be shut down from throwing entirely, but there is no timetable for McCullers to return to live action.

Kaminsky, 21, tossed five shutout innings Monday in his season debut for Double-A Akron.

Kaminsky managed just one strikeout and did walk three batters, though. Despite not having ace stuff, Kaminsky pounds the strike zone and posted a 2.24 ERA last season at High-A. He remains among the better prospects for the Indians.

Worley remains in line to start Friday's game, but Kevin Gausman (back) will make a minor league rehab start Friday and it seems like Gausman is lined up to take Worley's rotation spot next Thursday.

This is not particularly surprising news, as Worley only secured the rotation spot by way of Gausman's injury. Worley was not particularly strong in his first start. Not only is the rotation spot in jeopardy, Worley's roster spot may also be threatened by Gausman's return.

Gausman (shoulder) will pitch Friday at High-A and could rejoin the Orioles as soon April 21, MASN Sports reports.

Gausman pitched two innings Sunday and was hit with a comebacker in his knee, an injury that was reportedly just a bruise. If all goes well, Gausman would likely slot in for a home start next Thursday against the Blue Jays. It seems like he will be lined up to take Vance Worley's rotation spot.

Hamels (2-0) allowed three earned runs on seven hits while racking up four strikeouts and two walks in a no decision Thursday against the Orioles.

The veteran lefty was in line for his first loss as a Ranger on Thursday before his offense bailed him out with a big sixth inning. Hamels' big mistake was a fastball he left high over the heart of the plate, which Mark Trumbo took the other way for a home run. Despite not having his best stuff Thursday, Hamels still managed to limit the damage and keep his team in the game and his ERA remains under 3.0 (2.95) His next outing is set for Wednesday when the Rangers host the Astros.