MLB Player News

Wade Miley held Oakland to two runs over 7 1/3 innings to earn a win for the Red Sox on Friday and even his record at 5-5. 

Miley allowed six hits and a walk, striking out six. He lowered his ERA to 4.68.

"Wade was very good," said Red Sox manager John Farrell. "A lot of strikes, he attacked the strike zone. ... We're able to play very good defense behind him, particularly in the infield, and I think a lot of that has to do with the pace in which he works."

Miley's next start will be next Friday, against Toronto. 

Twins starter Ricky Nolasco, who has been bothered by a troublesome right ankle that landed him on the disabled list, will have a cortisone injection according to GM Terry Ryan, per MLB.com. 

Nolasco felt "shooting pain" in his ankle during his delivery, but Ryan ruled out surgery at this point in time. Nolasco is 5-1 with a 5.51 ERA in seven starts this season. 

Many skeptics consider the Astros an early-season flash destined to fade. But the team could turn them into believers if they trade for Phillies ace Cole Hamels.

Such a deal remains a longshot, CBSSports.com Baseball Insider Jon Heyman reports. His $24 million annual deal could prove cost-prohibitive. But pairing Hamels with emerging ace Dallas Keuchel might make the Astros the favorite to win an American League West in which they currently own a 5 1/2-game lead.

"The goaL is a No. 1 or 2," said a person familiar with what Houston is seeking. General manager Jeff Luhnow amended that to include a 1-3 starter strong enough to pitch in a hypothetical postseason scenario.

The Astros and their rich farm system boast the talent to entice the Phillies, who are attempting to maximize the trade potential of Hamels. But Houston is also one of 20 teams on the list in his no-trade clause. It remains to be seen if he would waive it to pitch for a Houston team he likely didn't believe would emerge so quickly as a contender.

White Sox left-hander Carlos Rodon had quite possibly his best start as a big-leaguer on Thursday against the Rangers. Rodon struck out a career-high 10 batters over six innings. He allowed one run on five hits while walking three. He was left with a no-decision, but his ERA was lowered to 3.12 with the solid performance.

The only run he allowed came on an RBI single from Prince Fielder in the first inning. But he struck out the last three batters of the first to avoid any further damage. 

He'll look to build on this impressive outing in his next start, scheduled for Tuesday at home against the Astros.

Making his first start since late-April, Twins left-hander Tommy Milone picked up a no-decision on Thursday against the Red Sox. Milone went five innings, allowing four runs (two earned) on nine hits. He walked one and did not strike out a batter in the 8-4 victory.

After giving up two unearned runs in the second inning, Milone gave up a pair of solo home runs, one to Blake Swihart in the third and another to Dustin Pedroia in the fourth inning. 

Milone (2-1, 4.55 ERA) made his previous start on April 27 and was demoted to Triple-A on May 1. He will likely make his next start on Tuesday at home against the Royals.

Astros starter Dallas Keuchel pitched well in a no-decision on Thursday against the Orioles. Keuchel allowed two runs on six hits over six innings. The left-hander struck out seven and walked one in the 3-2 loss.

Keuchel (7-1) gave up an RBI single to Chris Davis in the first inning, and another to Steve Pearce in the sixth for the only damage against him. He left with the game tied 2-2, but the Houston offense and bullpen were not able to supply Keuchel with the win. 

"A lot of what-ifs today," said Keuchel, per MLB.com. "We really didn't deserve a chance to win.

The outing actually lifted his ERA up to 1.85 on the season, but he has been rather inconsistent recently. Keuchel (7-1) has allowed four earned runs in three of his last seven starts, but allowed two or fewer in the other four. 

Keuchel will make his next start Tuesday against the White Sox in Chicago. 

The Red Sox will return to a five-man rotation following this weekend's series against the Athletics, manager John Farrell told reporters Thursday.

“Our plan is not to [stick with six guys],” Farrell said, per WEEI.com. “We’ll get through this weekend where we need all six starters, but coming out of the off-day [Monday], it’s our intent to get back to five starters. We have the remainder of this next series to work through that.”

Farrell said Eduardo Rodriguez will slide between Clay Buchholz and Rick Porcello in the rotation. It appears Wade Miley also as a spot in the rotation, so the final spot is down to Joe Kelly and Steven Wright.

The Twins recalled Tommy Milone from Triple-A Rochester and placed starting pitcher Ricky Nolasco from the 15-day disabled list retroactive to June 1, per MLB.com.

Nolasco exited his last start on Sunday with an ankle injury, and an MRI earlier this showed no structural damage in his ankle. However, he is going for a CT scan on Friday since he said he still feels "shooting pain" in his ankle when he loads during delivery.

Nolasco held a 5.51 ERA over 32 2/3 innings at the time of his injury.

Milone went 4-0 with a 0.70 ERA and a 4:3 K:BB ratio in five starts (38 2/3 innings) at Triple-A.

Tigers pitcher Justin Verlander will be limited to 85-90 pitches when he makes his second rehab start at Triple-A Toledo on Saturday, manager Brad Ausmus told reporters, per MLive.com.

The right-hander, who is working his way back from triceps injury, tossed 79 pitches in his rehab debut on Sunday. Verlander could be deemed ready to return from the disabled list following his second rehab outing. 

Newly acquired Mariners pitcher Vidal Nuno, who has split time in 2015 between the majors and Triple-A, will open in the Seattle bullpen following his acquisition from Arizona on Wednesday. However, he could be a candidate to eventually join the rotation, per MLB.com.

"It's no secret what has happened to our pitching just recently from a physical standpoint," Mariners general manager Jack Zduriencik said. "So to bring a pitcher like him -- who has started in the past and also been in the bullpen -- he's a versatile kid who is tough, has five years of control, we think it's an asset to the organization."

Nuno is 0-1 with a 1.88 ERA in three relief appearances for Arizona this season. He also has 19 strikeouts in 14 1/3 innings.

He is 3-13 with a 4.08 ERA in 31 career starts and 0-2 with a 4.57 ERA in eight career relief outings.