MLB Player News

As expected, Rangers pitcher Yu Darvish will make his start Sunday.

Darvish dealt with a neck issue earlier in the week, but was able to fully recover in time for the start. He'll take on the Nationals. Darvish has a 2.35 ERA over 61 1/3 innings. 

Tigers starter Drew Smyly struggled in Saturday's outing against the Mariners, as his winless streak reached six starts in a 3-2 loss.

Smyly lasted just four innings in the outing, the third start in a row he has failed to reach the sixth. He allowed three runs on seven hits and a walk, while striking out five on 105 pitches before he was lifted.

Smyly started the season off well, going 2-1 with a 2.45 ERA through his first 22 innings of work. He struggled in the month of May, however, and heads into his next start 2-4 overall with a 4.10 ERA. His next start is scheduled for Friday against the Red Sox. 

Rays starting pitcher Jake Odorizzi struggled through a 7-1 loss to the Red Sox Saturday.

Odorizzi made it into the fourth inning before he was forced out. He was tagged for five runs in 3 1/3 innings of work, while allowing six hits and a walk in the outing. He struck out six while throwing 84 pitches before being pulled, with the loss.

Odorizzi is now just 2-5 on the season, and has not win in his last three starts. He carries a 5.13 ERA into his next outing, set for Thursday against the Marlins.

Astros pitcher Dallas Keuchel pitched well enough for the win but was not backed by enough run support in his team's 4-1 defeat to the Orioles Saturday afternoon, dropping to 6-3 on the year.

Keuchel allowed a run to score in the opening frame and walked the bases loaded twice in the fifth inning for his only damage of the afternoon. He pitched six innings and yielded three runs on six hits, with three walks and three strikeouts. Of his 83 pitches, 49 were strikes.

Over his last five starts covering 40 1/3 innings, Keuchel has permitted only seven earned runs. He owns a 2.70 ERA and a 1.02 WHIP through his first 11 starts (76 2/3 innings). He will make his next start Saturday against at Minnesota.

The Angels have designated pitcher Wade LeBlanc for assignment following a bullpen-saving effort on Friday against the A's, the Los Angeles Times reports. LeBlanc allowed four runs on six hits and two walks while striking out four in 6 1/3 innings of relief.

In a corresponding move, the team called up pitcher Jarrett Grube from Triple-A Salt Lake. The left-hander is 3-2 with a 3.52 ERA in 11 starts (61 1/3 innings) for the Bees.

Blue Jays pitcher Marcus Stroman earned his a win during his first major-league start Saturday.

Stroman's slider was particularly sharp during the start. He used the pitch to get four of his six strikeouts. He ran into trouble just once, allowing a run scoring single in the second inning. Stroman allowed three hits during the inning, but escaped after giving up just one run. He was able to hold the Royals in check otherwise.

Stroman allowed one earned run over six innings. He gave up five hits and walked none. The win brought Stroman to 2-0 on the season. It's unclear whether Stroman will receive a start the next time through the rotation. If he does remain in the rotation, he would likely start against the Cardinals.

Increased velocity and command keyed a comeback performance from Tigers right-hander Justin Verlander on Friday in Seattle.

Verlander gave up three earned runs on five hits in 7 1/3 innings while fanning seven. Not bad considering he had yielded 16 earned runs on 28 hits in his previous 17 1/3 innings covering his last three starts.

"His velocity was good out of the gate," Brad Ausmus told MLive.com. "He attacked the hitters. He wasn't tiptoeing around anyone. He was going after them."

The strong game shrunk Verlander's ERA a tad to 3.99.

Tigers starting pitcher Justin Verlander got back on track with dominant outing against the Mariners in Seattle on Friday, scattering three runs on five hits in 7 2/3 innings, improving yo 6-4 on the year.

Verlander struck out seven and walked one in 120 pitches, 78 for strikes. His ERA improved to 3.99 on the season. Over his last four starts covering 25 innings, Verlander has allowed 19 earned runs.

Following the 6-3 win, Verlander will look to keep things rolling Thursday at home against Toronto.

Indians starting pitcher Corey Kluber (6-3) twirled a gem on Friday against the Rockies, punching out 12 in his team's 5-2 victory. Kluber scattered two runs on five hits and one walk in 7 1/3 innings. Of his 107 pitches, 74 were strikes.

Over his last six starts covering 43 innings, Kluber has allowed only 10 earned runs. He has also struck out 60 over that span. He will look to keep remain dominant Wednesday at home against Boston.

Twins pitcher Ricky Nolasco put together a quality start Friday night against the Yankees, securing his third win of the season and his first since April 24 against Tampa Bay. The right-hander pitched six innings and yielded one run on seven hits, with four walks and three strikeouts. Of his 107 pitched, 59 were strikes.

Nolasco lowered his ERA from 6.12 to 5.70 following the 6-1 victory. He will look to keep rolling Wednesday at home against Milwaukee. He is 1-2 with a 3.21 ERA in four starts at home.