MLB Player News

Tigers pitcher Justin Verlander seems likely to make his scheduled start Saturday against the Twins, after getting through a bullpen session Thursday.

Verlander, who missed his last turn in the rotation with shoulder soreness, got through a 35-pitch session without issue. According to MLive.com, he walked into manager Brad Ausmus's office after the session to deliver a high five, undoubtedly a good sign.

Verlander has not pitched since lasting just one inning in his Aug. 9 start against Pittsburgh. 

Twins pitcher Ricky Nolasco had a tough start Wednesday against the Indians.

Nolasco allowed four runs on eight hits over 6 2/3 innings. He struck out six and walked one during the outing. Nolasco found himself in trouble early, as Zach Walters hit a solo shot against him in the second inning. Cleveland struck again in the fourth. A run scored on two straight doubles to open the inning. Mike Aviles was able to drive in the second run of the inning with a single. Nolasco would pitch into the seventh, but was pulled after giving up a single. That run would come around to score, and was charged to Nolasco. 

With the loss, Nolasco dropped to 5-9. He’ll take on the Royals in his next start.

Rays pitcher Jake Odorizzi turned in a strong start Wednesday against the Tigers.

Odorizzi gave up three runs on five hits over 6 2/3 innings. He struck out seven and walked two during the outing. The Tigers struck early against Odorizzi. With two outs in the first inning, Rajai Davis doubled and Ian Kinsler singled home a run. Odorizzi then settled in, tossing five straight scoreless innings. He ran into trouble again in the seventh. The same exact sequence happened during the inning. Odorizzi struck out the first two batters of the inning, but allowed a double and run-scoring single to the next two hitters. He was removed from the game at that point. Another run score following his departure. That run was charged to Odorizzi. 

With the loss, Odorizzi dropped to 9-10. He’ll take on the Orioles in his next start. 

Mariners rookie James Paxton was victimized by his own goof in the field and took his first loss in 10 career starts Wednesday in Philadelphia.

Paxton surrendered four runs - but just one earned - in four innings. He gave up seven hits, walked one, fanned five and threw 88 pitches. He blew a 3-1 lead in the fourth by giving up three unearned runs, courtesy of his own throwing error, a passed ball and two soft singles.

The left-hander will seek to rebound Monday against Texas.

Tigers embattled right-hander Justin Verlander expects to start Saturday in Minnesota, though that is not set in stone, per MLive.com.

Verlander has been sidelined since Aug. 9 with shoulder soreness. He would return with a 10-11 mark, uncharacteristically high 4.76 ERA and just 118 strikeouts in 158 2/3 innings.

Tigers pitcher Justin Verlander said he's planning to start Saturday, according to mlive.com.

The move is not guaranteed yet, but Verlander is "penciled in" to make the start. Verlander has been sidelined since August 11 due to shoulder soreness. He'll take on the Twins if he can make the start.

The Athletics considered permanently removing Jason Hammel from the rotation before deciding to just skip his next turn, according to the San Francisco Chronicle.

Hammel who will pitch against Houston next week, has been a mess since arriving in Oakland via a trade from the Cubs. His ERA has leaped from 2.98 to 3.84, courtesy of 24 earned runs allowed in 32 innings pitched covering seven outings. He has just one quality start during that stretch.

The right-hander has blamed mechanical issues that are leaving his pitches up for his struggles, but adds that it should be an easy fix. He is also claiming no problem with the temporary move to the bullpen.

"I'm not bothered by it," he said. "You've got to check your ego at the door when you're not getting it done."

The Athletics could place Jesse Chavez or Drew Pomeranz in their rotation if Hammel continues to get battered.

Twins pitcher Kyle Gibson had a rough start Tuesday against the Indians.

Gibson allowed five runs on four hits over 5 1/3 innings. He struck out four and walked two during the outing. Gibson was spotted a five-run lead before he even took the mound, but couldn’t hold on. A solo home run in the second started the scoring for Cleveland. They struck again in the fourth after Gibson gave up three singles during the inning. Gibson gave up another run in the fifth on a wild pitch. After giving up a single in the sixth inning, Gibson was removed from the game. That run would come around to score, and was charged to Gibson. 

Gibson left with the game tied, picking up the no-decision. He’ll make his next start against the Tigers. 

White Sox pitcher Jose Quintana ran out of steam Tuesday against the Orioles.

Quintana gave up four runs on eight hits over six innings. He struck out three and did not issue any walks. Quintana was mostly solid early on. He gave up a run in the first inning, but settled in at that point. In the sixth, things fell apart. With two outs and a man on second, Quintana gave up a run-scoring single. A single to the next batter made it first and third. With two men on, Chris Davis hit a bases-clearing double. Quintana got out of the inning, but did not come out for the top of the seventh.

With the loss, Quintana dropped to 6-10. He'll take on the Indians in his next start. 

Tigers pitcher Justin Verlander could start Saturday, according to the Detroit News.

Verlander threw from flat ground Tuesday without any issues. He'll from a bullpen session Thursday, and could start Saturday depending on how that session goes. He's been sidelined since August 11 with shoulder soreness.