MLB Player News

Rays pitcher Jake Odorizzi (1-3) failed to complete the fifth inning in another rough outing Monday night, suffering his third loss of the season in a 7-3 defeat to the White Sox. The right-hander was charged with four runs on eight hits and two walks while striking out five over 4 1/3 innings pitched.

Odorizzi owns a 6.85 ERA and a 1.82 WHIP over 23 2/3 innings pitched. He will make his next start Saturday against the Yankees in New York.

Athletics pitcher Sonny Gray put together his first career complete-game shutout on Monday against the Rangers, scattering three hits in nine scoreless innings to improve to 4-1 on the year. The last shutout by an A's starter in Arlington was Dallas Braden in August 28, 2010.

Gray struck out six and walked one, improving his ERA to 1.76. He threw 108 pitches, 73 for strikes. Over his first two starts on the road covering 16 innings, Gray has allowed only one earned run.

Following the 4-0 victory, Gray will look to keep it going Sunday at Boston.

Rangers pitcher Yu Darvish saw a streak of 56 consecutive starts of five innings or more come to a screeching end on Monday against Oakland, lasting only 3 1/3 innings -- his shortest start of his career -- in a 4-0 defeat.

Darvish allowed a two-run single to Josh Donaldson in the third, a one-run triple to Josh Reddick and allowed a run to score on a sacrifice fly to Daric Barton in the fourth. He was charged with four runs on six hits and two walks while striking out four, suffering his first loss of the season.

Darvish has a 4.73 ERA against the Athletics, and a 3.09 career ERA against the rest of the league. He'll look to get back on track on Sunday against the Angels.

White Sox pitcher Chris Sale has played catch two days in a row and is feeling better, CSNChicago.com reports.

Sale has yet to intensify his workout as he recovers from a flexor muscle strain. Manager Robin Ventura also indicated Monday that Sale could return without going on a rehab assignment. He is 3-0 with a 2.30 ERA and 29:7 K:BB ratio in 27 1/3 innings.

White Sox starting pitcher Chris Sale (arm) played catch prior to Sunday's game against the Rays. However, manager Robin Ventura offered up no timetable for Sale's return, and his absence could extend past May 3, which is the first day he's eligible to come off the disabled list.

"He's going to have to do something before he gets back," Ventura said. "We're just not going to send him out there if he hasn't thrown and we're 100-percent positive he isn't feeling good."

Mariners starting pitcher Taijuan Walker will throw from 60 feet on Monday before he is re-evaluated by the team's  medical staff, according to the Tacoma News Tribune. Walker, who is recovering from a shoulder injury, was cleared to play catch last week. He has yet to pitch in the majors this season.

Tigers pitcher Justin Verlander will pitch Tuesday against the White Sox.

Verlander was set to pitch Sunday, but the game against the Twins was postponed by rain. Verlander will receive a few extra days of rest before he takes on Chicago. Through five starts, he has a 2.18 ERA. 

White Sox pitcher Chris Sale is prepping for a bullpen session Sunday, according to ESPN.

The club will know more about Sale's status following the session. He's currently sidelined due to arm pain, but has attempting to downplay the issue. Sale has a 2.30 ERA in four starts. 

Twins starter Kyle Gibson will pitch Tuesday against the Dodgers.

Gibson's Sunday start was rained out, but the team will just push him back two days. Minnesota's rotation will remain the same, with every player having an extra day or two between their normally scheduled starts. 

Gibson has a 3.63 ERA in four starts.

The Blue Jays have realigned pitcher Marcus Stroman 's throwing schedule so that he pitches the same day as Dustin McGowan, according to Sportsnet. 

There was a report earlier in the week suggesting Stroman was close to being called up, and this could be a sign that it will happen soon. McGowan has struggled in the rotation, posting a 6.88 ERA through 17 innings. If he falters Tuesday, there's a chance McGowan could start in his place the next time through the rotation. 

Stroman has a 2.18 ERA in 20 2/3 innings at Triple-A.