MLB Player News

Athletics ace Sonny Gray has been scratched from his start Tuesday night against Colorado due to illness, per MLB.com.

Chris Bassitt will pitch instead.

Gray has been sensational this season with a 9-3 record and 2.09 ERA. He has allowed just 81 hits in 107 2/3 innings pitched with 97 strikeouts.

The move to the bullpen for Yankees staff mate Adam Warren has resulted in the next start for Nathan Eovaldi being switched from Friday to Wednesday against the host Angels, reports Newsday.

Eovaldi, whose outing will now be on his regular rest cycle, is coming off two consecutive quality starts. But he has allowed 105 hits in 82 1/3 innings this season and owns a 4.81 ERA despite a 7-2 record.

His 1.54 WHIP is the worst among major league starters.

Astros pitcher Lance McCullers only made one mistake during Monday's start, which the Astros won 6-1 over the Royals.

McCullers surrendered one run on four hits over seven innings of work. The one run came on a solo home run by Salvador Perez in the seventh inning. McCullers also struck out six and walked two during the outing. He is now 4-2 with a 2.19 ERA.

Monday's win was McCullers' first in his last three starts. He has now given up a total of two runs over his last 13 innings of work.

Red Sox pitching coach Carl Willis indicated Monday starting pitcher Eduardo Rodriguez was tipping his pitches while throwing out of the stretch during his last start Thursday against the Orioles.

"It was borderline obvious," Willis said, per The Providence Journal. "He'd been so good out of the windup. Going back and looking at the pitches he executed from the stretch, they were still quality pitches. It's safe to say that there's a good likelihood that could have had something to do with it."

Rodriguez was perfect through three innings Thursday before his outing fell apart in the fourth inning. He was pulled after allowing six runs in 3 2/3 innings.

"All pitchers, when they come here, they're establishing history," Willis said. "There's video. Guys are facing them. He's faced Baltimore twice now. This will be the second time he's faced Toronto. There's nothing like hitters seeing it -- and seeing where they can pick up the ball.

"More than anything, it's a matter of pitchers being consistent within their deliveries. More so than not, starters have a consistent delivery where everything looks the same. That's what you gear yourself towards."

Red Sox manager John Farrell confirmed Monday starting pitcher Justin Masterson will be back on the hill Friday against the Astros after throwing five strong innings in a 5-3 win Sunday at Tampa Bay. Masterson allowed one unearned run on five hits and no walks, while striking out six.

Masterson is replacing Joe Kelly in the rotation after Kelly was optioned to Triple-A Pawtucket last week.

A bullpen session that Paul Molitor admitted did not go well has Twins shelved pitcher Ricky Nolasco set to get another opinion on his ailing ankle, the manager has reported to MLB.com.

The ankle will be examined by specialist Dr. Robert Anderson, who has operated upon many NFL players dealing midfoot or Lisfranc injuries.

If Nolasco requires surgery, he would need as much as five or six months to recover. If not, he could still miss another 5-6 weeks.

Rays starting pitcher Jake Odorizzi will begin a rehab assignment with Class A Charlotte on Wednesday. The right-hander has been sidelined since early June due to an oblique injury.

The Rays haven't decided if Odorizzi will make one or two rehab starts before coming off the disabled list, per The Tampa Tribune.

Twins pitcher Tommy Milone did not allow an earned run in a no-decision during Sunday's 5-3 loss to the Brewers. 

Milone pitch a superb six innings and only gave up two hits during his time in the game. However, Milone's bullpen let him down, giving up five runs over the final three innings. This is the first time since April 10 that Milone went a considerable distance and didn't allow an earned run. 

Milone now has an ERA of 3.19 this season. 

Red Sox starting pitcher Justin Masterson was very impressive in Sunday's matchup against the Rays.

Masterson threw five innings, allowed just five hits and one earned run before being pulled from the game. He struck out six batters while picking up his third win of the season.

Masterson (3-2) lowered his ERA to 5.58 with the performance.

The Mariners took advantage of an open date this week to make an adjustment to their starting rotation.

RHP Taijuan Walker will start Wednesday's game at San Diego, per the Tacoma News Tribune. Walker was originally scheduled to start Thursday.

Walker replaces Roenis Elias as Wednesday's starter. Manager Lloyd McClendon made the change, because he didn't want to start back-to-back lefthanders against San Diego. Southpaw Mike Montgomery starts Tuesday's game against the Padres.