MLB Player News

A Red Sox rally allowed starter Justin Masterson to get a no decision, despite giving up seven earned runs in four and two thirds innings. 

Masterson gave up eight hits and walked three as Washington rallied for six runs in the fifth inning. He struck out four and threw 52 strikes in 93 pitches. 

"Command was just not there today," Masterson said, per WEEI. "Whether it was because was a little bit tight or what, I have a rough idea. We’re still working through it...Just off. Just missed. Seeing sliders just not as sharp as they were before and the continue to work through it, getting by with some stuff by changing speeds and then really just a lot of balls in the zone. We’re just missing on a few pitches, but they got me into counts where I couldn’t help and balls weren’t always getting crushed."

Masterson next pitches in the Red Sox Patriots' Day game on Monday, against the Orioles and Miguel Gonzalez. 

With the White Sox gearing up for a three-game series against the Tigers, manager Robin Ventura moved up Jeff Samardzija's start to Friday, with Chris Sale starting Saturday, reports ESPN.com.

The White Sox have an off day Thursday after their two-game series against the Indians and Ventura is considering starting Jose Quintana on Sunday.

"There's a possibility [Jose Quintana] comes back there," Ventura said. "There's an off day so you can see him making that one, or you can have Hector Noesi at that point. There's a chance to be able to do that. As of right now, we don't know who that's going to be -- it's to be determined at this point."

Indians pitcher Carlos Carrasco was carted off the field after taking a line drive in the head off the bat of Melky Cabrera in the first inning, per the team's official website. Cabrera's line drive deflected off his wrist before it hit him near the jaw area.

Carrasco was helped off the ground and placed on the cart for further examination. Zach McAllister took over for Carrasco with no outs in the opening frame. He underwent X-rays and CT scans at the the Lutheran Medical Center, which revealed a bruised jaw and no symptoms of a concussion or a head injury.

"A line drive in that vicinity [near the head] is a scary moment," McAllister said, per the Northeast Ohio Media Group. "It really slows down on you. The ball is in slow motion. You can't make the play or get out of the way quick enough."

Carrasco is scheduled to start Sunday at Minnesota, but that remains to be seen. He'll likely be evaluated before the Indians make a decision on his status for Sunday's start.

"We have to check him in the morning and see how he's doing," manager Terry Francona said. "In the big picture, we dodged a really big bullet."

The Tigers will make a decision on whether to activate starting pitcher Justin Verlander (triceps) from the 15-day disabled list Thursday, manager Brad Ausmus told ESPN.

Verlander is scheduled to throw a simulated game Wednesday. He reported no issues after throwing bullpen sessions Friday and Sunday.

Verlander is scheduled to throw at least four innings of 15 pitches in his simulated game Wednesday, according to MLive.com.

Rays pitcher Drew Smyly made his second rehab start Tuesday, giving up one hit and no walks in three scoreless innings while striking out four and throwing 40 pitches.

"It felt good," Smyly said, per MLB.com. "Another step forward. I'm just trying to build up my pitch count, work on my pitches. All in all, it was a good day."

Smyly is in line to make two more rehab starts before potentially returning in late April.

Mariners pitcher James Paxton surrendered five earned runs over 6 1/3 innings during Monday’s game against the Dodgers.

Paxton fanned six batters and walked two. Despite the poor performance, Paxton received a no-decision.

His next start will likely be Sunday against the Rangers.

Rays pitcher Jake Odorizzi allowed just one run on two hits in eight innings of work in Tampa Bay's 2-1 win over the Blue Jays Monday.

Odorizzi used 103 pitches, 63 going for strikes, to navigate his start. His lone blemish came in the fifth inning after surrendering a double to Kevin Pillar. Second baseman Devon Travis singled him home. Odorizzi finished the inning off with a strikeout. His ERA remains low at 0.61 and will look for a third straight win Saturday against the Yankees.

Twins pitcher Ricky Nolasco is scheduled to play catch Wednesday, but remains uncertain for when he will come off the disabled list, reports the St. Paul Pioneer Press.

Nolasco is dealing with elbow inflammation, which landed him on the 15-day DL, and was hoping to be back with the club for next week's series against the Mariners. Now, that return date is in doubt.

Manager Bob Melvin said that the Athletics have been laid low by a 10-day cold bug that has been working its way through the clubhouse. Among the players that have already had it are Sonny Gray, Fernando Abad, Stephen Vogt and Ike Davis.

Kendall Graveman was fighting the illness when he made his first start, Melvin said. Graveman gave up seven earned runs in three and a third innings. 

Astros pitcher Dallas Keuchel allowed two runs on six hits in Houston's 6-4 win over the Rangers Sunday in 14 innings.

Keuchel, who went seven innings with three strikeouts, didn't run into trouble until the seventh inning. Keuchel walked Adam Rosales before allowing a Carlos Corporan double. Then, a walk to Delino DeShields left the bases loaded for Leonys Martin, who singled to center and brought two runners home.

Keuchel was able to get out fo the jam and limit the damage to just two runs.

"Yeah, because I felt like I had a chance to throw a complete game," Keuchel said to the Houston Chronicle. "And it's never a given and I didn't assume anything, but I didn't execute pitches like I did the first six innings and that's what happens. We played, what'd we play, 14 innings? You know, it could have all been avoided if I had attacked the zone there in the seventh."

He will look for another strong start Saturday against the Angels.