MLB Player News

Rays right-hander Jake Odorizzi still hasn't recorded a quality start since May 25, but his performance Wednesday in Philadelphia represented a small step forward.

Odorizzi allowed two runs on five hits in in five innings with two walks and five strikeouts. The effort took the bad taste out of his mouth after after a pounding Friday in Toronto.

He retired 10 of the last 11 batters he faced in the no-decision. Odorizzi settled down after allowing the first three to reach. A double play scored one and single tallied another, but he shut the Phillies out thereafter.

Odorizzi has given up 17 walks in his last 38 1/3 innings pitched, which partially explains his inability to get through the necessary six to secure a quality start.

Twins pitcher Kyle Gibson dropped to 8-7 with a loss to the Angels on Tuesday. 

Gibson saw his four-start winning streak snapped. He gave up six runs on 10 hits, both season highs, over six innings. 

White Sox left-hander Carlos Rodon was hit hard on Tuesday, as he was shelled for seven runs on seven hits over four innings against the Cardinals.

Rodon walked three and struck out six, but suffered his third loss of the season. The big blow against Rodon was a grand slam by Matt Holliday in the fourth inning, which put the Cardinals up 7-0 at the time. The White Sox would go on to lose 8-5.

Rodon (3-3, 4.48 ERA) took a step backward from his last start, when he threw six scoreless innings against the Cubs. The rookie left-hander has a 5.54 ERA over his last five starts.

Mariners starter Taijuan Walker gave up six runs, five earned, in 4 1/3 innings but escaped with a no-decision against Detroit on Tuesday. 

Walker allowed seven hits, including two home runs. He's given up 16 earned runs in his last three starts but has only picked up one loss over that stretch. 

Rays pitcher Drew Smyly reported feeling well after throwing 41 pitches in a simulated game Tuesday, reports MLB.com.

"Really good session [for Smyly]," Rays manager Kevin Cash said. "He threw 20 pitches. Sat down, threw 21 pitches. All the reports on all the pitches, the stuff, the locations have been very positive."

Smyly is dealing with a shoulder injury and is expected back in early August.

Yankees right-hander Nathan Eovaldi labored in his start against the Orioles on Tuesday, but the Yankees held on for the 3-2 victory. Eovaldi needed 99 pitches to go 5 2/3 innings. He allowed two runs on four hits, while walking three and striking out four. 

Both runs charged to Eovaldi came in the sixth inning on a pair of RBI singles by Matt Wieters and J.J. Hardy. He left the game with the scored tied 2-2, but the Yankees were able to plate the go-ahead--and winning--run in the bottom half of the sixth.

Eovaldi watched his ERA drop to 4.43 with Tuesday's performance. The hard-throwing righty has a 2.97 ERA over his last six starts.

The Astros are looking to add pitching help before the July 31 trade deadline. 

According to a report by the Houston Chronicle, citing sources, the Astros have spoken to the Phillies about Cole Hamels. 

The Astros have also spoken to the Padres about Andrew Cashner and Tyson Ross.

The Red Sox will promote pitcher Joe Kelly from Triple-A to make Wednesday's start at Houston, reports WEEI.com. Kelly went 2-5 with a 5.67 ERA in 14 starts earlier this season before being demoted.

The Red Sox will then turn to pitcher Wade Miley to make Thursday's start with the rest of the rotation getting pushed back. Miley is 8-8 with a 4.49 ERA in 19 starts this season.

Angels starting pitcher Andrew Heaney had good stuff during Game 2 of a doubleheader against the Red Sox on Monday.

Heaney tossed seven innings, gave up just two runs on five hits while picking up his fourth win of the season. His lone mistake came in the form of a two-run home run he allowed to David Ortiz.

Heaney improved to 4-0 on the season with an impressive 1.57 ERA.

Rays outfielder Desmond Jennings will participate in a simulated game Tuesday, reports MLB.com.

Jennings is dealing with bursitis in his left knee. Jennings will face pitcher Drew Smyly, who is working his way back from a shoulder injury. Both are expected to return in early August.