MLB Player News

Mariners starter Taijuan Walker was able to get through another simulated start Tuesday, according to the Tacoma News Tribune.

Walker threw about 35 pitches during the appearance. He did not experience any pain while throwing. Walker is slated to toss another simulated game in a few days. He's working his way back from shoulder soreness.

Astros pitcher Dallas Keuchel came within one out of securing his second straight complete-game shutout Monday, but he settled for a win after pitching 8 2/3 innings and surrendering two earned runs on five hits and one walk while striking out eight in his team's 5-2 victory over the Angels.

Keuchel (5-2) got two quick outs in the ninth inning, but after he gave up back-to-back hits, he was pulled with a career-high 128 pitches on his arm. Both runners would come around to score. He's been particulary fantastic over his last three starts (all wins), striking out 22 and walking just one in 25 1/3 innings. Keuchel owns a 2.92 ERA and 55:12 K:BB ratio in 61 2/3 innings. He'll try to keep rolling Saturday against the Mariners.

Indians pitcher Corey Kluber wasn't a factor in the decision Monday after giving up three earned runs on eight hits and two walks in seven innings while striking out eight in his team's 5-4, 10th-inning win over the Tigers.

Kluber has rattled off four straight quality starts while racking up an astounding 39 strikeouts in 28 2/3 innings over the quality stretch. He owns a 3.43 ERA and 74:15 K:BB ratio in 65 2/3 innings. Kluber will square off with the Orioles Saturday.

Tigers pitcher Drew Smyly didn't factor into the decision Monday, giving up three earned runs on seven hits and five walks in five innings while striking out six in his team's 5-4, extra-innings loss to the Indians.

Smyly had issued just 11 walks in 33 1/3 innings heading into Monday's start, when he watched the Indians' first run score on a wild pitch in the first inning and struggled with his control throughout, needing 110 pitches just to complete five innings. He owns a 3.05 ERA and 36:16 K:BB ratio in 38 1/3 innings. Smyly is tentatively slated to make his next start next Tuesday against the A's.

White Sox pitcher Chris Sale will throw a bullpen session Tuesday, CSNChicago.com reports.

Sale played catch Monday, and his arm feels good, though his body and legs are sore, according to manager Robin Ventura. Sale is on the disabled list with elbow soreness, and the team will decide his next step after Tuesday's bullpen session.

Rays starter Alex Cobb (oblique) threw a bullpen session Monday and it went well, so he should return Thursday against Oakland, reports the Tampa Bay Times. Cobb is 1-1 with a 1.89 ERA in three starts this season.

Rangers pitcher Martin Perez had Tommy John surgery Monday, and the procedure went as expected, reports FoxSportsSouthwest.com. Perez will miss the rest of this season and likely the first two months of next season.

Twins pitcher Ricky Nolasco (2-4) was pegged with the loss Sunday afternoon at home against the Mariners. The right-hander permitted three runs on six hits and three walks while striking out three in five innings of a 6-2 defeat.

Nolasco has surrendered three earned runs in each of his last four starts. He will look to get back on track Saturday at San Francisco. He is 1-2 with a 7.81 ERA in five starts away from home this season.

The Blue Jays optioned right-hander Marcus Stroman down to Triple-A Buffalo after Sunday's game against the Rangers, per Sportsnet.ca. Stroman posted a whopping 12.79 ERA and a 2.21 WHIP in 6 1/3 innings of work this season.

Indians starter Justin Masterson, who's headed for free agency following this season, got lit up again Sunday. Masterson gave up seven runs on seven hits and five walks in a 13-3 loss to the Athletics, falling to 2-3 with a 5.06 ERA.

He has allowed at least five earned runs in five of his 10 starts this year. Masterson will face the Orioles on Friday.