MLB Player News

Snell struck out nine and walked three while holding Triple-A Gwinnett to two hits over 4.2 scoreless innings in his second start of the season Tuesday.

He needed 100 pitches to record 14 outs, which was the only blemish on the outing. Snell fanned five and only walked one in five innings during his season debut with Durham last week, and he may be an early-season callup for the Rays if they decide to keep Erasmo Ramirez in the bullpen for the long haul.

Darvish threw 30 pitches in his first live batting practice session Wednesday in Arlington.

He threw 15 pitches in consecutive innings against members of the Double-A Frisco lineup, as Frisco had an off day Wednesday. Everything went well for Darvish, and his next live batting practice session is scheduled for Sunday. Things continue to progress as planned for the Rangers' ace, and a mid-May return remains possible.

Miley (0-1) was once again roughed up by the Rangers on Tuesday, taking a loss after surrendering six earned runs on 10 hits in six innings despite striking out seven with no walks.

Miley hasn't enjoyed facing Texas in his first two starts, carrying a bloated 8.25 ERA despite a stellar 14 strikeouts and no walks. He's always been hittable, but the former Boston and Arizona pitcher is unlikely to keep getting slapped around to this extent if he continues to maintain an elite K/BB ratio. Miley will be relieved to finally face a different foe when he travels to Cleveland next Tuesday.

Kluber (0-2) took the loss Tuesday night against the Rays as he allowed three runs on four hits and two walks over 7.2 innings. He struck out six.

Kluber was dominant early, as he opened with six shutout innings. But Logan Forsyth got to him for a two-run home run in the eighth inning, and that was the end of Kluber's night and any chance at a win. He was extremely nasty early on, as he induced 20 swinging strikes and 11 ground ball outs from the Rays. Kluber gave up 22 home runs last year and has give up one each in his two starts this year.

Alvarez (shoulder) has returned to the Athletics on Tuesday after throwing 30 pitches against minor league batters with High-A Stockton, John Hickey of the Bay Area News Group reports.

This is a good sign for the right-hander, especially considering he was able to use all of his pitches in the outing. Alvarez still has a way to go in his recovery, but it's promising that a return in mid-May is still realistic. His next step will likely be a simulated game this weekend.

McCullers (shoulder) is scheduled to make a rehab start Saturday with Double-A Corpus Christi, Jake Kaplan of the Houston Chronicle reports.

McCullers is slated to throw about 60-to-75 pitches in this one after successfully making it through three innings in his first rehab start Monday. He'll continue to throw throughout the week and appears to be gearing up for a return to the Astros sometime in late April.

Cobb (elbow) threw off a mound Tuesday, Roger Mooney of the Tampa Tribune reports.

It was Cobb's first mound work since undergoing Tommy John surgery last May, as he appeared to get through it without any setbacks. The 28-year-old will continue to slowly ramp up baseball activities and could rejoin the big league team sometime around the All-Star break.

McCullers (shoulder) played catch Tuesday, Brian McTaggart of MLB.com reports.

McCullers was also able to make it through three innings in a rehab start with Double-A Corpus Christi on Monday, where he struck out four and allowed one run. The righty will need to get some more rehab starts under his belt, but he remains on track to make his season debut toward the end of April.

Rodriguez (knee) will throw a three-inning simulated game Wednesday, the Boston Globe reports.

Rodriguez, who tossed 36 pitches during a two-inning sim game Sunday, will commence a five-day routine beginning Wednesday. If all goes well for the left-hander Wednesday, he could begin a rehabilitation assignment next Monday (Apr. 18).

Gray (1-1) surrendered three earned runs on six hits and three walks over 6.1 innings in Monday's loss to the Angels, striking out six.

Gray got away with control problems in his season debut against the White Sox, but he continues to live dangerously with seven free passes given out through two starts. He issued less than two walks per start last season in Oakland's strike-throwing system, so there'll be cause for concern if Gray can't correct this issue in his next start Sunday against a Royals team that doesn't walk much.