MLB Player News

With the Red Sox optioning starting pitcher Joe Kelly to Triple-A Pawtucket on Thursday, the team announced Justin Masterson would replace him in the rotation Sunday against the Rays.

Masterson was activated off the disabled list Tuesday. He was moved to the bullpen, but he did not make any relief appearances. He is 2-2 with a 6.37 ERA in seven starts this season.

Rays starting pitcher Drew Smyly (shoulder) stretched out to 120 feet while long-tossing Wednesday, according to The Tampa Tribune. Smyly threw from 105 feet on Monday.

Astros starting pitcher Lance McCullers struck out six batters in a no-decision on Wednesday against the Angels.

McCullers threw six innings, allowed four hits and one earned run. He walked three batters and threw 104 pitches before leaving the game. 

McCullers (3-2) has a 2.33 ERA with 52 strikeouts and 16 walks through 46 1/3 innings of work this season.

Angels starting pitcher Andrew Heaney was dominant in his season debut against the Astros on Wednesday.

Heaney tossed six innings, allowed four hits and just one earned run before leaving the game. He struck out five batters and walked another as he showed great command over his pitches. Heaney's lone mistake came on a double he allowed to Astros shortstop Carlos Correa, which scored their only run of the day.

Heaney, who was called up from Triple-A Salt Lake prior to the game, went 6-2 with a 4.71 ERA in 14 minor-league starts this season.

 "It was good," Heaney said of his Angels debut, per MLB.com. "I wish I wouldn't have given up the one run and we would've hopefully won that in 8 1/2 innings and not had to burn so much of the bullpen. But I felt good."

Mariners pitcher James Paxton is beginning to feel relief in his strained middle finger, according to the Tacoma News Tribune. 

Paxton hasn't pitched since May 28 with his finger healing slower than expected. However, Paxton's finger is beginning to feel better and he's hoping to play catch this weekend. This season, Paxton is 3-3 with a 3.70 ERA. 

Phillies left-hander Cole Hamels struggled in his start on Wednesday, as the Yankees took the 10-2 victory.

Hamels lasted five innings, allowing five runs on eight hits. He walked three and struck out three, needing 102 pitches to get through the outing. Hamels' ERA rose to 3.26 after Wednesday's performance.

Hamels, who dropped to 5-6 on the year, gave up two runs in the second and another three in the fourth, as he never was able to get into a groove in this one. He had missed his previous start with a hamstring issue, but it is not clear if that ailment effected his outing on Wednesday.

White Sox pitcher Chris Sale was able to extend his double-digit strikeout streak during Wednesday's start, but the White Sox lost 6-1 to the Twins.

Sale allowed six runs (five earned) on eight hits over 6 2/3 innings of work. The 10 strikeouts extended his double-digit streak to seven games. He is now 6-4 with a 3.02 ERA on the season.

Despite striking out 36 batters over his last three starts, Sale is 0-2 over that period. Wednesday's start also broke his streak of receiving a quality start in his last eight starts. Sale also saw his streak of recording at least one strikeout in an inning end at 38 innings.

The Indians were desperate for a starter to shut down the Tigers, who have clawed their pitchers to pieces all season. They turned Wednesday to Carlos Carrasco, who finally tamed them.

Granted, merciful Brad Ausmus rested Cleveland killer Miguel Cabrera. But Carrasco performed well, allowing two runs on five hits in eight innings to improve his record to 9-6. He walked one and fanned seven.

Carrasco had a shutout going until J.D. Martinez blasted a two-run homer to the porch in left field in the seventh. He then allowed a single before retiring the next five batters in lowering his ERA to 4.16.

The right-hander broke a mini-slump in which he had allowed 11 runs on 24 hits over his last 16 1/3 innings covering three starts. He also avenged a battering by Detroit earlier in the year.

Twins starting pitcher Ricky Nolasco had his bullpen session Wednesday pushed back because he needed extra time after receiving his orthotics on Tuesday, according to MLB.com. 

Nolasco, on the 15-day disabled list since June 4 with a right ankle impingement, threw on flat ground Tuesday without any issues. He is now slated to throw off a mound Thursday or Friday.

The Angels made a surprise move before Wednesday's game against the Astros, calling up starting pitcher Andrew Heaney from Triple-A Salt Lake and announcing he would start against the Astros.

Heaney's arrival meant Matt Shoemaker was bumped back to Friday against the Mariners.

Heaney, who is considered a top-100 prospect by Baseball America and MLB.com, went 6-2 with a 4.71 ERA in 14 starts for Salt Lake. He posted 74 strikeouts in 78 1/3 innings.