MLB Player News

Athletics ace Sonny Gray could be back in action as early as Monday in the final game of a wraparound series in Baltimore, per MLB.com.

Gray played catch Friday and reported no pain after losing his start Thursday in Toronto with back spasms. 

"It couldn't have went any better," Gray said.

He is expected to throw a bullpen session Saturday, at which point a decision will be made regarding his return to game action.

If it is decided to push Gray back to Tuesday, he will match up against Dodgers stud Clayton Kershaw.

Rays left-hander Drew Smyly is set to make his comeback performance Sunday in Texas after more than three months sidelined with a shoulder injury, per the Tampa Bay Times.

Smyly, who began a minor league rehab stint in late July, was pitching well before going down despite an 0-1 record. He had allowed five runs in 16 2/3 innings with 21 strikeouts over three starts.

"We're excited to have him back," Rays manager Kevin Cash said Friday, per MLB.com. "Drew, it's been a long season for him, just like [outfielder] Desmond [Jennings]. But we know that if these guys are right, they're very capable of providing a very big boost."

Yankees starter Nathan Eovaldi had a rough outing against the Indians on Thursday, but he was the benefactor of an eight-run outburst in the 8-6 victory. Eovaldi allowed four runs on seven hits over 5 1/3 innings. He walked three and struck out four.

Eovaldi (12-2, 4.26 ERA) was given a three-run lead before he even took the mound on Thursday. The lead grew to 4-0 in the second. But he allowed two runs to score in the third followed by another pair in the sixth. But he left the game with a 7-4 lead, and the Yankees were able to hold on for the win.

The four earned runs are the most Eovaldi has given up since an eight-run shellacking back on June 16.  

The absence of Rangers new ace Cole Hamels from the rotation should be short-lived, according to MLB.com, which is claiming he will likely return to the mound Monday against Seattle.

Hamels, who is dealing with a sore left groin muscle, will throw a bullpen session Saturday to test his progress. The results of that work will give the team a better indication of when he can pitch again.

"He has shown some improvement so we're hoping he can start on Monday," said general manager Jon Daniels.

Hamels has been a disappointment in his early outings with Texas. He has lost both starts and allowed nine runs on 16 hits in 13 2/3 innings.

With the Twins placing starting pitcher Phil Hughes on the 15-day disabled list due to a lower back injury, the team announced Trevor May will take his spot in the rotation. He will start Friday against the Indians.

The Twins also announced Tyler Duffey will be recalled from the minors to start the second game of the series Saturday and Tommy Milone, who is on the 15-day disabled list with an elbow injury, will pitch the series finale Sunday.

Athletics starting pitcher Sonny Gray was scratched from Thursday's start against the Blue Jays due to back spasms. Jesse Chavez stepped in to start in Gray's absence.

The All-Star Gray is 2-0 with a 1.13 ERA in his last four starts. He also has a .193 opponents' batting average in that span.

Chavez has not had a strong start to the second half. He is 2-2 with a 5.11 ERA through five starts after the All-Star break. Although, he did allowed one run in seven innings in a win in his last start against the Astros.

Angels pitcher Andrew Heaney was one out away from recording another quality start during Wednesday's 3-2 loss to the White Sox.

Heaney allowed two runs on six hits over 5 2/3 innings of work. He also struck out four and walked one. His ERA now stands at 2.53.

After earning a quality start in his first six trips to the mound, Heaney has not produced a quality start in his last three outings.

Rays starter Jake Odorizzi had his worst start in a month, giving up six runs in six innings of work Wednesday in a no-decision against the Braves. 

Odorizzi labored through 105 pitches, allowing nine hits and the most runs since he allowed six against the Blue Jays on July 17. He struck out six hitters and walked one to wind up with his third straight no-decision. 

Over his last 10 starts, Odorizzi (6-6) has seen his ERA rise from 2.31 to 3.09. 

Rays starter Drew Smyly, who recently completed his fourth rehab start in his recovery from a torn left labrum, will join the team to be evaluated with a look to a return to the rotation, per MLB.com. 

Smyly will throw a bullpen session Friday, and if all goes well, he could return to the Rays' rotation on the team's road trip. 

"I feel good," Smyly said. "With every rehab start I feel stronger and stronger. I continue to be extremely encouraged by my days in between starts. ... I feel ready to go."

Smyly made just three starts before going on the DL. 

Red Sox pitcher Eduardo Rodriguez produced a dismal performance during Wednesday's 14-6 loss to the Marlins.

Rodriguez allowed eight runs on nine hits over five innings of work. He also struck out two and walked one. He gave up a solo home run to Dee Gordon in the first inning.

Rodriguez is now 6-5 with a 4.83 ERA. He is winless in his last three starts, but has two quality starts in his last four outings.