MLB Player News

Mariners pitcher James Paxton threw 31 pitches in a two-inning simulated game Tuesday, MLB.com reports.

Paxton has made just two starts this season due to a lat injury. His next step comes Saturday, when he's scheduled to make a 50-pitch simulated start. If he doesn't sufer a setback, Paxton could be in line to return to action later this month.

Rangers pitcher Yu Darvish was hit in the forehead by a line drive during batting practice Tuesday, MLB.com reports.

Darvish will obviously be examined by medical personnel, but he "didn't seem too bothered by it," according to the report. His next start is scheduled for Wednesday.

Zach McAllister and Danny Salazar are candidates to start for the Indians on Saturday as a replacement for the shelved Justin Masterson.

Both have performed well recently at Triple-A Columbus after opening the year in the Cleveland rotation. McAllister is 5-0 with a 2.23 ERA after working out mechanical issues. But scouting director John Mirabelli reported after watching Salazar's last start that it looked like the promising 2013 version, the Cleveland Plain Dealer has reported.

Twins starting pitcher Ricky Nolasco was placed on the 15-day disabled list Tuesday due to a right elbow strain, according to MLB.com. He is 1-2 with an 8.36 ERA in his last three starts.

Embattled Indians right-hander Justin Masterson has been placed on the 15-day disabled list with a knee ailment one day after another disastrous start.

Masterson, who has had an outing pushed back due to a sore knee, yielded five earned runs before getting knocked out in the third inning of his Tuesday night start against the Yankees. He has given up 13 runs on 20 hits in his last nine innings pitched. His ERA has soared to 5.51.

Indians pitcher Justin Masterson struggled in another abbreviated start Monday, giving up five earned runs on six hits and three walks in two-plus innings while striking out one in his team's 5-3 loss to the Yankees.

Masterson (4-6) has pitched more than four innings just once in his previous five starts, surrendering five runs three times during that stretch. He's walked three or more batters in each of his last five outings as well. Masterson owns a 5.51 ERA and 93:56 K:BB ratio in 98 innings. He's scheduled to face the White Sox Saturday.

Rays pitcher Jake Odorizzi was stuck with a loss Monday after giving up two earned runs on six hits and two walks in six innings and striking out eight in his team's 6-0 defeat against the Royals.

Odorizzi (4-8) worked his way out of a one-out, bases-loaded jam in the second inning before giving up two runs in the third. He was able to keep the Royals' offense mostly at bay, but the Rays' offense couldn't get anything going Monday. Odorizzi owns a 4.10 ERA and 109:37 K:BB ratio in 94 1/3 innings. He's slated to face the Blue Jays Sunday.

The White Sox are unwilling to include pitcher Jose Quintana in any trade discussions, FOX Sports 1 reports.

Quintana has surrendered just three earned runs in his last four starts, and he's been able to pitch at least seven innings in every outing during that stretch. He's 5-7 but owns a 3.20 ERA and 100:32 K:BB ratio in 112 1/3 innings.

Twins pitcher Ricky Nolasco will have an MRI on his sore elbow Tuesday, the St. Paul Pioneer Press reports.

Nolasco was removed after giving up six runs on seven hits and one walk in just two innings Sunday, and the team was considering all options with the pitcher, including a potential move to the bullpen. Now, any decision will wait until the results of the MRI are known.

Nolasco has been dealing with the soreness in his throwing elbow since spring training, the Pioneer Press reports. He admitted the injury to the team for the first time Monday. Nolasco owns a 5.90 ERA and 72:28 K:BB ratio in 103 2/3 innings.

Athletics pitcher Jason Hammel will make his debut with his new team Wednesday against the Giants, MLB.com reports.

Acquired from the Cubs last week along with fellow pitcher Jeff Samardzija, Hammel is 8-5 with a 2.98 ERA, 1.02 WHIP and a 104:23 K:BB ratio over 108 2/3 innings. He has thrown 50 2/3 innings against the Giants in his career, posting a 3.02 ERA and 1.16 WHIP in nine appearances (eight starts).