MLB Player News

Mariners pitcher James Paxton allowed one run during his third rehab start Sunday.

Paxton threw 78 pitches over 4 1/3 innings. He struck out five and walked three during the outing. Paxton said he felt no pain during the outing. He said the control problems came from his inability to spot his fastball. "I’m still missing down with my fastball," he said." The breaking stuff felt really good, curveball and cutter felt really good. My change-up was good. It’s just finding the release point with my fastball." Despite that, Paxton said the start was "a good step forward."

Paxton will rejoin the major-league club and plans to throw a bullpen session during the week. If that goes well, he could return to the fifth spot in the team's rotation. 

The Orioles announced Sunday they realigned their rotation for the upcoming week, per The Baltimore Sun.

Wei-Yin Chen, who was scheduled to start Wednesday against the Angels, has been pushed back to Friday against the Mariners. Chris Tillman, Kevin Gausman and Bud Norris will face the Angels during a three-game series, which starts Tuesday.

"Wei-Yin had his top pitch count of the year, and I want to keep Gaus on turn," Orioles manager Buck Showalter said. "I think he can benefit from that."

If all goes well with Mariners starting pitcher James Paxton's rehab start Sunday, then he could be ready to rejoin the rotation Saturday against the Orioles, according to MLB.com. Paxton has been sidelined since mid-April due to a lat injury.

Twins general manager Terry Ryan said Saturday starting pitcher Kyle Gibson (back) has been cleared to start Tuesday at Kansas City after making it through a bullpen session, according to The Star Tribune.

Tigers pitcher Justin Verlander was stuck with a loss Saturday after giving up three earned runs on six hits and three walks in seven innings and striking out four in his team's 4-0 defeat against the Angels.

Verlander (9-9) has turned in back-to-back quality starts, but he's also issued three walks in each of his last two games. He gave up a solo home run in the second inning before the Angels were able to score two more runs in the sixth. Verlander owns a 4.79 ERA and 105:52 K:BB ratio in 142 2/3 innings. He's set to take on the Rockies at home Friday.

Athletics pitcher Sonny Gray earned a win Saturday, giving up just one earned run on seven hits and four walks in 6 2/3 innings and striking out five in his team's 5-1 victory over the Rangers.

Gray (12-3) has rattled off five straight wins in July, but he hadn't walked as many as four batters in an outing since June 7 before doing so Saturday. He's surrendered one run or no runs in each of his last five starts to give himself a 2.65 ERA to go along with a 121:49 K:BB ratio in 139 innings. Gray is slated to face the Royals Friday.

White Sox pitcher Chris Sale dominated in a win Saturday, allowing just five hits and two walks in eight scoreless innings and ringing up 12 batters in his team's 7-0 victory over the Twins.

Sale (10-1) matched his season high for strikeouts while pitching eight scoreless innings for the first time since April 6. He's strung together eight straight quality starts, and his 1.88 ERA is an American League best. Sale also owns an elite 122:19 K:BB ratio in 110 innings. He's scheduled to face the Twins again Friday and will be looking for a similar result.

Indians pitcher Justin Masterson is scheduled to be activated from the disabled list Friday against the Rangers, MLB.com reports. Masterson is working his way back from a knee injury. He owns a 5.40 ERA through two rehab starts (11 2/3 innings) with Triple-A Columbus.

Twins pitcher Ricky Nolasco (elbow) will need 2-3 bullpen sessions before he begins a minor-league rehab assignment, the St. Paul Pioneer Press reports. His first bullpen session will come Sunday, then he'll accompany the team on their six-game road trip, MLB.com reports.

Mariners pitcher James Paxton (lat) is expected to throw 75-80 pitches Sunday at Triple-A Tacoma. Once he's done with his rehab start, he'll accompany the Mariners on their six-game road trip, the Tacoma News Tribune reports Saturday.