MLB Player News

Tigers pitcher Justin Verlander was removed from Monday's start against the Pirates due to right shoulder soreness, and he'll be re-evaluated Tuesday, the Detroit Free-Press reports.

Verlander, who has never been on the major-league disabled list, gave up five runs (four earned) on four hits and two walks in one ugly inning of work but managed to record three strikeouts. He gave up a single to start the first inning and walked two of the next three batters to load the bases with one out before surrendering a three-run triple. The Pirates picked up a run on an error and anothe run on back-to-back singles before Verlander struck out the next two batters to end the inning.

Verlander owns a 4.76 ERA and 118:55 K:BB ratio in 158 2/3 innings.

Twins pitcher Ricky Nolasco made it through his final minor-league rehab start on Sunday without any issues, the St. Paul Pioneer Press reports.

Nolasco allowed three runs on eight hits and no walks while striking out six over 5 2/3 innings for Class A Cedar Rapids. He posted a 2.89 ERA over 9 1/3 innings while at rehab. Although the Twins have not circled a date, Nolasco could be eyeing a Friday return, according to the paper.

Mariners pitching prospect Taijuan Walker managed the level of performance Sunday for Triple-A Tacoma that the big league club has been waiting for.

Walker struck out a career-high 13 in a 2-1 victory. He retired 17 straight Fresno batters at one point and threw 71 of 101 pitches for strikes.

"Walker just pitched his rear end off, I mean holy mackerel," Rainiers manager Roy Howell told the Tacoma News-Tribune. "After the first inning he just settled down and went after them."

Athletics pitcher Jason Hammel wasn't a factor into the decision Sunday afternoon at home against the Twins. The right-hander was on the wrong end of pitcher's duel as he permitted one run on four hits and two walks while striking out five over 6 1/3 innings of a 6-1 defeat.

Over his last two starts covering 12 innings, Hammel has allowed only one earned run. He owns a 3.60 ERA and a 1.19 WHIP over 23 starts (137 2/3 innings). His next start will come Friday in Atlanta.

Rays starting pitcher Alex Cobb was effective over six innings Sunday against the Cubs, but the game was decided well after Cobb left his start, as Chicago won 3-2 in 12 innings.

Cobb was locked in a pitcher's duel with Travis Wood all afternoon. After Tampa Bay took a 1-0 lead in the top of the fifth inning, Chicago tied the game at 1 in the bottom of the fifth as Javier Baez had an RBI single off Cobb.

Baez's single was the only run allowed by Cobb, who gave up six hits and no walks in six innings. He struck out six.

Cobb has not taken a loss in his last eight starts, going 5-0 in that span. He has allowed two or fewer runs in six straight starts.

Cobb is on track to make his next start Friday against the Yankees. 

The White Sox made some tweaks to the starting rotation following Sunday's game against the Mariners, MLB.com reports.

The team scratched Scott Carroll for Wednesday at San Francisco due to a blister in his hand. As a result, the rest of the rotation was pushed up a day. Jose Quintana will start in his place on Wednesday, followed by Hector Noesi Friday against Toronto, John Danks Saturday and Chris Sale on Sunday.

Astros starting pitcher Dallas Keuchel faded after a strong start to Sunday's outing against Texas, leading to a 6-2 loss. The lefty allowed five runs on six hits and three walks, while striking out four in six innings.

Keuchel was outstanding over his first three innings, allowing just a walk in three scoreless frames as Houston jumped out to a 2-0 lead. The wheels then started to come off in the fourth inning. Alex Rios cut the lead to 2-1 on an RBI double with no outs. Adam Rosales tied the game with a infield single with two outs. 

Texas took a 3-2 lead in the fifth on a wild pitch. Elvis Andrus gave Texas a two-run lead with a sac fly.

Adrian Beltre then gave Texas a three-run lead with a home run leading off the sixth. Keuchel loaded the bases after Beltre's home run, but worked out of the jam with a double play.

''I wasn't very good the last three innings, and that was the game,'' Keuchel said.

He is expected to make his next start Friday at Boston.

Orioles pitcher Kevin Gausman went five innings in a loss Sunday afternoon at home against the Cardinals, dropping to 6-4 on the year. The right-hander permitted three runs on eight hits and two walks while striking out six in an 8-3 defeat.

Gausman has coughed up three runs in each of his last three starts. He owns a 3.90 ERA and a 1.42 WHIP over 12 starts (67 innings). His next start will come Saturday at Cleveland.

Indians starting pitcher Carlos Carrasco tossed five scoreless innings in his return to the rotation Sunday, leading Cleveland to a 4-1 win against the Yankees. He allowed two hits and no walks, while striking out four.

Carrasco (4-4) allowed just two singles and retired the last 11 batters he faced. He made his first start Sunday since being banished to the bullpen in late April. He had gone 0-12 in his previous 17 starts since 2011, according to The Associated Press.

''When you play the Yankees, you feel it in your body,'' Carrasco said. ''You want to throw a shutout.''

The Indians have two off days this week, which means Carrasco might be skipped in the rotation.

Mariners pitcher James Paxton wasn't a factor in the decision Saturday after allowing one earned run on six hits in 6 1/3 innings and striking out four in his team's 2-1, 10-inning loss to the White Sox.

Paxton struck out the side in the first inning and put together three perfect innings before allowing a baserunner, but the White Sox finally got to him with two doubles in the seventh inning, taking away his tenuous lead. Paxton owns a 2.38 ERA and 22:5 K:BB ratio in 22 2/3 innings. He's scheduled to face the Tigers Friday.