MLB Player News

Rays pitcher Jake Odorizzi was effective throughout Wednesday's start against the Tigers.

Odorizzi did not surrender a run over six innings of work. Odorizzi received his seventh win of the season during the 8-0 win. He also struck out six and walked one.

Prior to Wednesday's win, Odorizzi was winless in his last seven starts.

The Rangers are unsure whether they want to push starter Cole Hamels back one day due to a bruise on his shoulder, per the Dallas Morning News. 

Hamels was hit on the shoulder by a grounder during his last start, but said it was just a bruise. Pushing him back a day would allow him to start against the division-leading Astros. 

The Indians are optimistic that starter Corey Kluber will return to the rotation sooner, rather than later, according to MLB.com. 

Kluber hurt his hamstring running in the outfield last week, but has started an aggressive rehab program that Indians manager Terry Francona said might get him on the hill quickly. 

"My guess is that he'll be ready to pitch fairly quick, just because he feels really good," Francona said. "Obviously, he's champing at the bit, so we'll let it run its proper course, but as soon as he's ready to pitch and allowed to pitch, we'll pitch him."

Kluber is 8-13 with a 3.41 ERA, 219 strikeouts and 38 walks in 28 starts this season. 

Red Sox left-hander Rich Hill will start Sunday's game against the Orioles. This will be Hill's first big-league start since 2009, when he was a member of the Orioles. 

Hill, who signed a minor-league deal with the Red Sox in mid-August, made 13 starts for Baltimore in that '09 season, going 3-3 with a 7.80 ERA. The now 35-year-old has not pitched in the Major Leagues this season. He split the 2014 campaign between the Yankees and Angels, making 16 relief appearances. 

Athletics pitcher Sonny Gray was able to out-duel pitcher Scott Kazmir during Tuesday's 4-0 win over the Astros.

Gray did not surrender a run over seven innings and allowed five hits. He also struck four and walked two. Gray improved to 13-7 with a 2.28 ERA on the season.

Before Tuesday's win, Gray had been winless in his last four starts.

The Mariners are hoping pitcher James Paxton will be healed enough from his torn fingernail in order to pitch in Sunday's game, reports MLB.com.

"Yes. There's a very definite possibility," Mariners manager Lloyd McClendon said of Paxton's return. "A lot of that depends on how he progresses over the next few days."

Paxton tore his fingernail during last Wednesday's rehab start, but he plans to throw a bullpen session Wednesday.

"Just fastballs right now. I think once I get to Wednesday, I'll start to mix some curveballs and cutters in and see how that feels," Paxton said. "Hopefully, it feels good and we can move forward."

The Astros will go with pitcher Dallas Keuchel to open their three-game series against the Angels on Friday, reports the Houston Chronicle.

The team will then turn to rookie Lance McCullers to open Saturday's game and Mike Fiers will conclude the series on Sunday.

Twins starting pitcher Ricky Nolasco threw off the mound on Tuesday and is scheduled to do so again on Thursday, according to the Pioneer Press.

The Mariners will turn to pitcher Vidal Nuno to start Wednesday's game against the Rangers, reports the Fort Worth Star-Telegram. Nuno is 0-3 with a 3.30 ERA over 62 2/3 innings this season.

The Indians removed pitcher Carlos Carrasco from the disabled list before Tuesday's game, reports MLB.com. Carrasco was on the DL because of a shoulder issue.