MLB Player News

Mariners pitcher James Paxton (finger) will not start Wednesday against the Astros. He has been shut down for the remainder of the season.

Manager Lloyd McClendon said Tuesday that Paxton was 'highly unlikely' to toe the rubber Wednesday, and sure enough, the team will be forced to turn elsewhere for the series finale against Houston.

Tony Zych has been tabbed for the start Wednesday, while Paxton will be given time to rest the finger before pitching in the Arizona Fall League.

Marlins pitcher Jared Cosart (arm) will make his return to the mound Wednesday against the Rays, Joe Frisaro of MLB.com reports.

Cosart exited his last start early due to a forearm conclusion, but given the minor nature of the injury, it's not surprising he'll make his next scheduled start. He'll be opposed by the Rays and Drew Smyly, looking for just his third win of the 2015 campaign in 12 starts with the Marlins.

Red Sox pitcher Craig Breslow will start Saturday against Cleveland, the Boston Globe reports. He will step in for Eduardo Rodriguez, who was shut down after his outing Monday, having reached his innings limit.

This will be the second of two bullpen starts for Boston, which had Breslow make his first career start last Saturday. He pitched four innings then, but it is hoped the left-hander can complete five this time around.

Mariners starting pitcher Vidal Nuno allowed three runs on six hits over five innings in a no-decision Tuesday against the Astros. He struck out five and didn't walk a batter.

As has been the case all year for Nuno, he pitched well other than allowing a home run. The blast was his 14th allowed in just nine starts, and his 1.52 HR/9 is the main thing keeping Nuno from turning into a quality pitcher. He has been good enough when keeping the ball in the yard to still own a 3.80 ERA, but time is running out for him to prove he can fix this problem.

Oakland Athletics pitcher Chris Bassitt fell to 1-8 as he allowed six runs on eight hits and a walk over 3 2/3 innings Tuesday against the Angels. He also struck out four.

Bassit has now failed to complete five innings in each of his past three starts. Still, his brutal record isn't indicative of his performance this season, as he owns a solid 53:16 K:BB and a 3.63 ERA in 12 starts this year.

Bassitt threw over 100 pitches just four times this season, though, and he'll need to go deeper in games to earn wins.

Royals pitcher Johnny Cueto allowed three runs on eight hits and two walks in his seventh loss Tuesday against the White Sox. He also struck out two.

Cueto is improving, as he now has three consecutive quality starts, but he still has just a 4.95 ERA and has now allowed 10 home runs in 11 starts. His 45:11 K:BB is sharp, though, and Cueto has been good enough in the past that a rough stretch shouldn't be cause for too much alarm. His full season ERA sits at 3.48.

Rangers pitcher Cole Hamels won his sixth game as a Ranger despite allowing six runs on seven hits and two walks over six innings. He also struck out eight.

Hamels gave up four extra-base hits including two home runs, but he managed to keep the Rangers in what turned out to be a wild game.

His final three innings went scoreless with four strikeouts to clinch the victory, and Hamels deserves credit for lasting through a difficult opening three innings. He has lost just once for the Rangers.

Indians pitcher Carlos Carrasco will start Game 1 of Wednesday's doubleheader against the Twins, Rhett Bollinger of MLB.com reports.

Tuesday's game was postponed due to rain, and rather than just move Cody Anderson to start Game 1 of Wednesday's twin bill, the Indians have decided to flip its starters and start Carrasco in the matinee. Carrasco has posted a 4.24 ERA in eight daytime starts this season, compared to a 3.12 mark at night.

Twins pitcher Kyle Gibson will start Game 1 of Wednesday's doubleheader against the Indians

The Twins will keep their starters in order following Tuesday's rainout, as will the Tribe, meaning Gibson will still oppose Cody Anderson. Mike Pelfrey and Carlos Carrasco will follow in Game 2.

Twins pitcher Kyle Gibson will not make his scheduled start Tuesday against the Indians, as the game has been postponed due to rain, Rhett Bollinger of MLB.com reports.

After a 70-minute delay, the game was called and rescheduled as part of a Wednesday doubleheader. Cleveland will just move Cody Anderson back, and the Twins may very well do the same with Gibson, but they have not announced their starters for the twin bill.