MLB Player News

Twins pitcher Ricky Nolasco was able to throw 60 pitches without any issues during a bullpen session Wednesday, reports the St. Paul Pioneer Press.

Nolasco is dealing with an elbow injury, which landed him on the disabled list. He is expected to make a rehab start Saturday for the team's Class A affiliate.

Rays pitcher Alex Cobb played catch for the second consecutive day and did not feel any pain, according to the Tampa Bay Times. 

Cobb is scheduled to throw his first bullpen session this Friday. 

Cobb has been dealing with forearm tendinitis and has been limited with how much he works his arm. A rehab assignment is likely for Cobb in the near future now that he's getting through days without pain. 

Reigning American League Cy Young Award winner Corey Kluber had pitched well in three previous starts this season, but the meager Indians offense prevented him from winning.

Well, the team was blanked again Wednesday with its ace on the mound, this time against the host White Sox. The difference was that Kluber was battered, especially in the middle innings before being removed.

"For me, I can only focus on going out there and trying to prevent the other team from scoring," Kluber said to MLB.com. "Once you start letting other stuff get to you or creep in your mind, it takes away from what you're trying to do. My job is not to worry about things other than me trying to prevent them from scoring. I didn't do that well enough today."

Kluber was hanging tough through five, yielding only a solo home run to Jose Abreu and run-scoring double play grounder. But he allowed six hits and two wild pitches thereafter while retiring just three batters. He finished having surrendered six runs on a career-high 13 hits with one walk and six strikeouts.

He will try again for his first victory of the season Monday against Kansas City.

Indians starting pitcher Carlos Carrasco checked out fine Wednesday after being limited to 60 pitches Tuesday against the White Sox because he was experiencing general tightness in the cold weather, per MLB.com.

"It was maybe the first three or four [pitches] every inning," manager Terry Francona said. "He was just tight. It was kind of ambiguous.

"He came in [Wednesday] morning and said he felt really good. [Pitching coach] Mickey [Callaway] and me will go out and watch him throw, but I don't think that [trainer] James [Quinlan] thinks there's anything. Maybe I overreacted. If that's the case, that's one thing I won't apologize for."

Carrasco is scheduled to make his next start Sunday against the Tigers.

Rays starting pitcher Drew Smyly will make his season debut Friday vs. Toronto. Smyly indicated Wednesday he probably can throw 5-6 innings Friday, per The Tampa Tribune.

"I'm excited," he said, per MLB.com. "I'm excited about getting the season going. It stinks sitting on the sidelines watching the team perform. I'm just anxious to get out there and get the first start out of the way... To me, I felt ready. My arm's ready... So hopefully I can help the team any way I can. Whether that's five or six innings, that's great."

Smyly has been sidelined since injuring his shoulder in spring training. He made three starts on a rehab assignment, allowing two hits and three walks in 8 2/3 innings. He also had nine strikeouts.

Smyly won his only start against Toronto in 2014, tossing a two-hit, complete-game shutout. He had four strikeouts.

White Sox highly touted pitching prospect Carlos Rodon arrived at the park Wednesday sans the mustache gracing his upper lip for his major league debut Tuesday night.

Superstiton? Maybe. But why take chances? The 22 year old was terrible in his first appearance, giving up three hits, three walks and two earned runs in 2 1/3 innings against a Cleveland team that had been struggling mightily at the plate.

As for the mustache, Rodoon told the Chicago Tribune that he was merely seeking to "change the juju up." He then spoke about his eagerness to return to action.

"I'm ready to get back on the mound, man," he said.

Pitching coach Don Cooper is ready for him to do the same thing.

"There was nothing where we wanted it last night," Cooper said. "He threw more balls than strikes. I'm sure it had a lot to do with it, the nerves. He wasn't finishing his pitches, was standing straight up at the end. I think the moment was a big moment."

Mariners starting pitcher Taijuan Walker showed great improvement in his third start of the season Tuesday against the Astros after his first two starts were pretty bad.

Walker, who threw 101 pitches, allowed one run and struck out eight in 5 1/3 innings. He allowed 14 runs in 7 1/3 innings during his first two starts.

"I thought he was outstanding," manager Lloyd McClendon said, per MLB.com. "He did exactly what I thought he was going to do. Obviously the pitch count got up a little bit, but he pounded the zone and really pitched off his fastball very well. He did a nice job for us."

Walker's fastball was ranging from 95-98 mph Tuesday. 

"I just went out there and attacked them with the fastball," Walker said. "That was the main focus. I definitely don't like the four walks, but it was a start to build off."

The surprising struggles of the Mariners starters has them seeking alternatives. But the two minor league candidates they were counting on have not earned a promotion.

Roenis Elias, who lost the competition with Taijuan Walker for the fifth spot in the Seattle rotation, is 2-0 at Triple-A Tacoma. But in his most recent win, he gave up four runs on seven hits in five innings, actually lowering his ERA to 8.04.

Jordan Pries has been worse with an 0-1 mark and 9.20 ERA through three starts.

Walker did provide a bit of encouragement Tuesday night despite walking four in a loss to Houston. He allowed just one run in 5 1/3 innings and struck out eight.

White Sox prospect Carlos Rodon will continue to work as a reliever to begin his MLB career, manager Robin Ventura told MLB Network Radio on Wednesday. However, Ventura added there is an "opportunity" for the highly touted prospect to enter the rotation later in the season.

Rodon made his MLB debut Tuesday, allowing two earned runs on three hits and three walks in 2 1/3 innings. He struck out one.

Mariners starter Taijuan Walker allowed one run and struck out eight in 5 1/3 innings of work Tuesday but took a no decision against the Astros.

Walker gave up four hits and four walks and lowered his ERA from 17.18 to 10.66.

Walker's next start is set for Monday in Texas.