MLB Player News

Twins pitcher Ricky Nolasco didn't factor into the decision Wednesday, giving up three earned runs on six hits and one walk in six innings while striking out nine in his team's 4-3 loss to the Indians.

Nolasco ran into trouble in the third inning, when two singles and a walk were followed by a bases-loaded double that brought home a pair of runs.  He then surrendered a solo home run in the fifth but did well otherwise, particularly in racking up punchouts. Nolasco owns a 5.64 ERA and 28:11 K:BB ratio in 44 2/3 innings. He's scheduled to face the Red Sox at home Tuesday.

White Sox pitcher Chris Sale got through a bullpen session Wednesday without experiencing pain, MLB.com reports.

It was Sale's second bullpen session after tossing a light one Monday. He's on the disabled list with a flexor strain.

Blue Jays pitcher Marcus Stroman earned the first victory of his major-league career Tuesday, in a 6-5 win over the Phillies.

Stroman pitched the ninth inning of the game as it went into extra innings, and recorded the first out of the 10th before he was relieved with a 6-5 lead. He struck out one batter and allowed one hit before leaving the game with the win.

Stroman is being asked to pitch out of the bullpen to start his major-league career, but is likely first in line should a rotation spot open up down the line. 

Orioles pitcher Kevin Gausman has been cleared to return to the rotation at Triple-A Norfolk, after overcoming an illness that landed him on the disabled list. He is scheduled to start Saturday, after getting in two more bullpen sessions in the intervening days.

Gausman was pitching well prior to the illness, posting a 2.53 ERA in his first five starts of the season. 

Rays manager Joe Maddon said Alex Cobb's bullpen session Tuesday was "electric" after watching the right-hander throw, per the Tampa Bay Times. Cobb (oblique), who will progress to throwing batting practice, could be back by the end of May.

Orioles pitcher Kevin Gausman, who is on the minor-league disabled list due to focal pneumonia, said he feels great, per MASNsports.com. He threw a bullpen session Monday and has experienced no setbacks.

White Sox pitcher Jose Quintana didn't factor into the decision Monday after giving up one earned run on just one hit and three walks in seven innings and striking out three in his team's 3-1 win over the Cubs.

Quintana entered the fifth inning with a perfect game intact but doled out two walks with two outs before escaping the inning. He surrendered a leadoff double to the opposing pitcher in the sixth, and the runner came around to score after two sacrifices. Quintana owns a 3.56 ERA and 35:12 K:BB ratio in 43 innings. He'll take on the Diamondbacks Saturday.

Rangers pitcher Martin Perez took the loss Monday after giving up five earned runs on seven hits and three walks in five innings and striking out five in his team's 8-2 loss to the Rockies.

Perez (4-2) was done in by two-run home runs in the second and fifth innings, with a one-run fourth inning sandwiched in between. After opening the season 4-0 with a 1.42 ERA in his first five starts, Perez has given up 13 runs over 9 2/3 innings in two straight losses, leaving him with a 3.59 ERA and 31:15 K:BB ratio in 47 2/3 innings. He'll square off with the Red Sox at home Saturday.

Twins pitcher Kyle Gibson surrendered just two hits and three walks in seven scoreless innings while striking out one Monday, but he didn't factor into the decision in his team's 1-0 win over the Indians.

Gibson deserved a better fate after bouncing back from giving up 12 runs in his previous two starts combined, but his scoreless outing was matched on the Cleveland side. He owns a 3.50 ERA and 16:17 K:BB ratio in 36 innings. Gibson will take on the Tigers in Detroit Saturday.

The White Sox are hoping pitcher Chris Sale will be able to begin a rehab assignment in two weeks, ESPNChicago.com reports.

Sale is on the disabled list with a strained flexor muscle in his arm, but he was able to throw a positive 40-pitch bullpen session Monday. He owns a 2.30 ERA and 29:7 K:BB ratio in 27 1/3 innings over four starts.