MLB Player News

Rangers pitcher Yu Darvish was scratched from Tuesday's start against the Twins due to neck stiffness, the team announced. No replacement was immediately named.

Darvish reported symptoms when he woke up Tuesday morning and will undergo a precautionary MRI, the team said.

Indians pitcher Justin Masterson, who starts against the White Sox on Tuesday, has lost velocity, reports Fox Sports. Masterson's average fastball has dipped from 93.1 mph last year to 90.5 this season.

Masterson is 2-3 with a 5.32 ERA in 11 starts.

Mariners pitcher James Paxton is expected to play catch Tuesday after not throwing a bullpen session Monday, MLB.com reports.

Paxton was dealing with soreness after making a rehab start Saturday, and the team is proceeding cautiously with his recovery. There's still an outside chance he'll make his return to the rotation this week, but it appears unlikely he'll come back without at least one more rehab start.

Tigers pitcher Drew Smyly was stuck with the loss Monday after giving up six earned runs on eight hits and two walks in five innings while striking out four in his team's 10-0 loss to the A's.

Smyly (2-3) was victimized by four solo home runs, two each in the second and third innings, and the A's were able to tack on two more runs in the fourth inning. Smyly hadn't had a particular issue with keeping the ball in the park before Monday's start, as he had surrendered just four home runs in 39 1/3 innings going into the game. He owns a 3.86 ERA and 40:18 K:BB ratio in 44 1/3 innings. Smyly is scheduled to take on the Mariners Saturday.

White Sox pitcher Jose Quintana earned a win Monday after giving up just two earned runs on five hits and two walks in six innings while striking out five in his team's 6-2 victory over the Indians.

Quintana (3-4) hasn't given up more than three earned runs in any of his last seven starts, and he's surrendered just one home run during that stretch and none in his last six games. He owns a 3.61 ERA and 54:18 K:BB ratio in 67 1/3 innings. Quintana will square off with the Padres Sunday.

Mariners pitcher James Paxton is still feeling tightness in his triceps and won't throw a bullpen session Monday, reports the Seattle Times. Manager Lloyd McClendon said the team will be very cautious with Paxton as he tries to return from a strained back muscle.

Paxton made a rehab start Saturday. Earlier reports suggested Paxton could return to the rotation this week, but that's looking highly doubtful now.

Mariners lefty James Paxton, who's coming back from a strained back muscle, could return to the rotation as soon as this week, reports The News Tribune. He called Saturday's rehab start "a good step forward."

"I was trying to find my timing (Saturday),” he said. "I feel like it was a good step forward, but still a few things I need to smooth out a little bit. I don’t think it’s a very big jump to where I need to be."

Twins pitcher Ricky Nolasco (2-5) continued to struggle on Sunday, dropping his second consecutive decision in an 8-1 defeat to the Giants in San Francisco. The right-hander was shelled for seven runs on nine hits and one walk while striking out three in 4 2/3 innings.

Over his last two starts covering 9 2/3 innings, Nolasco has allowed 10 earned runs. His ERA ballooned from 5.50 to 6.12 after Sunday's abysmal start. He will look to get back on track Friday against the Yankees in New York.

Astros pitcher Dallas Keuchel dominated the Mariners on Sunday, going the distance for his sixth win of the season, in a 4-1 victory.

Keuchel limited Seattle hitters to just one unearned run on four hits and no walks while striking out six in nine innings of work. He allowed a run to score in the second inning on throwing error. He tossed 106 pitches, 66 for strikes.

Over his last four starts covering 34 1/3 innings, Keuchel has permitted only four earned runs. He owns a 2.55 ERA and a 0.98 WHIP in 70 2/3 innings. He will make his next start Friday at home against Baltimore.

Tigers starting pitcher Justin Verlander struggled for the third straight start during a 12-4 loss Sunday against the Rangers. The right-hander allowed nine runs (six earned) on 11 hits and three walks, while striking out one in 5 1/3 innings.

Verlander struggled from the get-go Sunday, allowing Texas to take a 1-0 lead in the first inning on Alex Rios' two-out single. Michael Choice then led off the second inning with a home run and Robinson Chirinos scored two batters later on a throwing error. 

Verlander then settled down to fire two scoreless innings, but Texas opened up the game with a five-run fifth inning. Mitch Moreland, Adrian Beltre and Chirinos had RBI singles, while Rios had a two-RBI triple. 

Verlander came back out for the sixth inning, but he allowed an RBI double to Moreland before being lifted after a one-out walk to Adrian Beltre.

He's now allowed at least five runs in three straight starts. He's lost his last two starts. Verlander will look to end the losing skid Friday at Seattle.