MLB Player News

Rays pitcher Jake Odorizzi had another dominant outing on Thursday, but failed to factor into the decision at home against Toronto. He allowed three hits and no walks while striking out three over seven scoreless frames.

Of his 95 pitches, 68 were strikes. He own s a 3.84 ERA and a 1.23 WHIP over 28 starts (154 2/3 innings). He is scheduled to make his next start Thursday in New York against the Yankees.

In a recent post to the Fantasy Baseball Today blog, I called Taijuan Walker one of the September callups who could matter in Fantasy, and the latest news out of Seattle explains why. Manager Lloyd McClendon is beginning to question how much Chris Young has left in the tank following his implosion Monday. Walker threw six innings of relief in that game, allowing one run on six hits with two walks and five strikeouts.

His numbers at Triple-A Tacoma weren't so great, but that happens in the heavy-hitting Pacific Coast League. It happened last year to James Paxton, who went on to go 3-0 with a 1.50 ERA and 0.92 WHIP in four starts last September, and Walker is considered the more talented of the two. He's also more than 50 innings away from last year's total, giving him plenty left in the tank.

Starting pitchers aren't exactly in short supply in standard mixed leagues right now, but if you're looking to gamble on an upside play, Walker certainly fits the bill.

Blue Jays pitcher Marcus Stroman turned in a nice start Wednesday against the Rays.

Stroman allowed two runs on seven hits over six innings. He struck out four and walked one during the outing. Stroman was excellent early, tossing five scoreless innings to open the game. He gave up his only two runs in the sixth inning. With two men on base in the inning, Stroman gave up an RBI single. Another single drove in the second run. He was able to get out of the inning without giving up any additional runs. 

With the win, Stroman improved to 9-5. He’ll take on the Cubs in his next start.

Tigers pitcher Justin Verlander was knocked around Wednesday against the Indians. 

Verlander allowed seven runs, six earned, on nine hits over 6 2/3 innings. He struck out seven and walked one during the outing. Cleveland chipped away at Verlander during the start. In the first inning, a two-run homer from Carlos Santana started the scoring. Verlander would get through the next two innings, but gave up two additional runs in the fourth. He again made it through two scoreless frames before giving up three more runs in the seventh. One run came after Verlander had already been pulled from the game.

With the loss, Verlander dropped to 12-12. He’ll take on the Royals in his next start. 

Rangers pitcher Yu Darvish will be re-examined Thursday, according to the Dallas Morning News. 

"We are leaning towards not taking any chances,” general manager Jon Daniels said. Darvish has reportedly felt a lot better over the last couple of weeks, but it still seems as though it's a long shot he'll return this season. Daniels seemed to agree with that notion. "The calendar is working against us," he explained. "We’re going to make a common-sense decision."

Darvish has a 3.06 ERA over 144 1/3 innings. He's been out since early August due to an elbow issue.

Chris Young could be out of the Mariners rotation. Rookie Taijuan Walker could be in.

That is the result the last two appearances from both pitchers. Young was mashed for five runs in 2/3 of an inning Monday in Oakland and has yielded eight runs in his last 4 1/3 innings. The fear is that he could be hitting a wall at 151 innings pitched this season.

"He's in uncharted territory," Lloyd McClendon told the Tacoma News Tribune. "I've got to watch him. I've got to evaluate him. I've got to make a decision."

McClendon indicated that Walker would replace Young in the rotation. Walker gave up just one run in six innings against Oakland in relief of Young.

"Obviously, he pitched extremely well," McClendon said. "I think it showed you what he's capable of. We've just got to get him to the point where he can be consistent every time out with that."

Mariners pitcher James Paxton earned a win Tuesday, giving up two earned runs on four hits and three walks in 7 2/3 innings while striking out two in his team's 6-5 victory over the A's.

Paxton (5-1) breezed through seven scoreless innings before putting the first two guys of the eighth inning on base. Though he recorded a double play on a ground ball, the starter walked another batter and was removed, with both runners he left on base eventually scoring. Paxton owns a 1.91 ERA, 1.06 WHIP and 35:14 K:BB ratio in 47 innings. He's scheduled to face the Rangers Sunday.

Athletics pitcher Sonny Gray took a loss Tuesday, allowing six earned runs on seven hits and two walks in five innings while striking out two in his team's 6-5 defeat against the Mariners.

Gray (13-8) surrendered a two-run single in the third inning, a two-run double in the fourth and a two-run home run in the fifth to result in his fifth loss in his last seven starts. He owns a 3.25 ERA and 151:64 K:BB ratio in 183 innings. Gray is scheduled to face the White Sox Monday.

Indians pitcher Carlos Carrasco had a strong start Tuesday against the Tigers.

Carrasco allowed one run on 10 hits over 5 1/3 innings. He struck out 10 and walked one during the outing. Carrasco gave up his only run of the game in the second inning. After the first three batters singled to load the bases, Carrasco walked in a run. He managed to pitch out of trouble, striking out two and getting a ground out to escape the inning. 

Despite giving up just one run, Carrasco often found himself working in and out of jams. Carrasco did give up 10 hits, but was able to pitch around base-runners all game. He put at least two runners in on the third, fourth and fifth innings, but managed to pitch out of it. 

Carrasco picked up the no-decision for his efforts. He’ll take on the White Sox in his next start.

Tigers pitcher Justin Verlander admitted his shoulder has been "kind of fatiged," according to MLB.com.

Verlander has missed time due to the issue, but was able to return without landing on the disabled list. He'll take on the Indians Wednesday. Verlander has a 4.68 ERA over 171 1/3 innings.