MLB Player News

Twins pitcher Ricky Nolasco will be activated from the 15-day disabled list to start Saturday's game against the White Sox, per Fox Sports North.

Nolasco has made one start this season before going down with elbow inflammation. He allowed six earned runs over three innings against the Tigers on Opening Day. Manager Paul Molitor says Nolasco will be on a pitch limit of about 75-80 pitches on Saturday.

The Twins will shift Tommy Milone, who had been scheduled to start Saturday's game, to the bullpen rather than using a six-man rotation. 

Milone has made four starts this season, and currently has a 4.76 ERA and a 13:11 K:BB ratio.

Tigers recovering right-hander Justin Verlander played a bit of light toss Thursday, after which he reported no discomfort, per MLive Media Group.

No timetable for a return to the mound has been set for Verlander, who has been sidelined all season with a triceps strain. Brad Ausmus announced that he will undergo another MRI on the triceps early next week in Chicago.

Astros pitcher Dallas Keuchel allowed one run on three hits in eight innings of work in Houston's 7-2 win over the Padres Wednesday.

Keuchel surrendered just one run in the first inning when Matt Kemp doubled to deep center field to drive in Wil Myers, two of the three hits he gave up in the outing. Keuchel settled in after that, recording four strikeouts on 115 pitches in his appearance.

"I just try to continue to make pitches," Keuchel said. "The more pitches you make in the course of a game, the better off you're going to be most of the time, and now I just try to follow that groove.

"We have a lot of potential, and it's nice to see the guys in the lineup just roll it over," Keuchel said. "With that being said, some of the guys haven't even hit their peaks, so I think we have still have room to grow, and it's just fun to be a part of right now, especially with the way some of those guys are running the bases out there and setting us up for some runs."

Keuchel, now 3-0, boasts a minuscule 0.73 ERA in 37 innings of work. The lefty will look to keep rolling Monday against the Rangers.

Rays pitcher Drew Smyly piched six innings in Wednesday's 3-2 win over the Yankees in 13 innings. Smyly picked up a no-decision in his start. 

Smyly gave up two earned runs during his time in the game. Both were allowed on solo home runs. He struck out 10 batters and walked only one. 

Smyly now holds an ERA of 3.38 for the season. His next start is projected for May 5 against the Red Sox. 

Picking up the win for the Rays was Brandon Gomes, who entered the game in the bottom of the 12th inning with the game tied at 2-2. He gave up a hit and plunked a batter but got out of the inning without allowing a run. 

Twins pitcher Ricky Nolasco, will require one last rehab start before rejoining the club at some point next week. Nolasco, who is on the 15-day disabled list with elbow inflammation, tossed five innings without allowing an earned run with Class A Cedar Rapids on Sunday.

Although his return to the rotation could create a logjam, manager Paul Molitor said that a plan for his Nolasco activation is "coming together," but is still not "100 percent" decided, according to the St. Paul Pioneer Press. Molitor added that he has no interest in having a six-man rotation once Nolasco returns.

Athletics starting pitcher Sonny Gray (3-0) allowed two runs on six hits in eight innings on Tuesday to pick up the win over the Angels.

It was Gray's second consecutive strong performance as he allowed just one run in seven innings to earn the win in his last start.

Despite the strong outing, Gray's ERA jumped from 1.91 to 1.98 in the win.

Gray's next start is set for Sunday in Texas.

Rays pitcher Jake Odorizzi allowed four runs on nine hits in 6 1/3 innings of work in Tampa Bay's 4-2 loss to the Yankees Tuesday.

Odorizzi had issues in the first inning when he allowed Jacoby Ellsbury to reach on a walk. Then Ellsbury stole second and reached third on a fielding error before Brett Gardner was able to knock him home on a ground out. Odorizzi then surrendered back-to-back doubles to Mark Teixeria and Brian McCann, bringing home another run.

Odorizzi found a rhythm after, but had more trouble in the fifth inning when with two men on, McCann doubled to deep left center, bringing home two more runs. 

Odorizzi, now 2-2, pushed his ERA to 2.41. He will look to get back on track either Monday or Tuesday against the Red Sox.

With the White Sox's scheduling situation apparently settled, the team has reordered its pitching rotation and will now start Jeff Samardzija Wednesday in Baltimore and then set its rotation order for their four-game series in Minnesota as: Chris Sale, Jose Quintana, Hector Noesi and John Danks, per ESPN.com.

Monday's and Tuesday's White Sox games in Baltimore were postponed due to the civil unrest in the city.

The Twins have not yet decided if starting pitcher Ricky Nolasco will need another rehab start, manager Paul Molitor said Tuesday.

Nolasco, who is on the 15-day disabled list with an elbow injury, threw five innings for Class A Cedar Rapids on Sunday. He allowed one unearned run on three hits and no walks, while striking out five.

Tigers pitcher Justin Verlander threw an extremely light catch Tuesday, making 20 throws, manager Brad Ausmus said per MLB Network Radio.

Verlander, who is currently on the 15-day DL with triceps strain, has inflammation in his arm, but has gone down enough to make some throws, according to Ausmus. Verlander suffered the injury in his final spring training start and has yet to throw in a game this season.