MLB Player News

Rays pitcher Jake Odorizzi was lifted after just 3 1/3 innings Wednesday, giving up four earned runs on five hits and three walks while striking out five in his team's 6-4, extra-innings loss to the Twins.

Odorizzi took a 2-0 lead into the fourth inning, but he walked the first batter of the inning before giving up a game-tying home run. The Twins would then notch two singles a walk before a sacrifice fly brought the third runner of the inning home. Odorizzi was then removed, and his relief allowed one of the inherited runners to score. He didn't factor into the decision after the Rays tied things up later in the game.

The Rays starter owns a 6.52 ERA and 17:10 K:BB ratio in 19 1/3 innings. Odorizzi is lined up to face the White Sox in Chicago Monday.

Indians pitcher Justin Masterson gave up three runs (two earned) on eight hits and two walks in 6 1/3 innings while striking out two Wednesday, but he wasn't a factor in the decision in his team's 5-3 win over the Royals.

Masterson gave up back-to-back home runs in the second inning, but he was able to hold the Royals to one unearned run the rest of the way. He owns a 4.50 ERA and 30:13 K:BB ratio in 28 innings. Masterson is slated to take on the Angels in Anaheim Monday.

Tigers pitcher Drew Smyly surrendered just two earned runs on six hits and one walk in six innings while striking out seven Wednesday, but he didn't factor into the decision in his team's 6-4 loss to the White Sox.

Smyly left the game with a 4-2 lead, but a seventh-inning grand slam by the White Sox took away his potential win. It was Smyly's first outing of more than three innings after beginning the season in the bullpen. He owns a 3.60 ERA and 15:4 K:BB ratio in 15 innings. Smyly is set to face the White Sox again Tuesday, this time in Chicago.

Rangers pitcher Martin Perez remained on an incredible hot streak Wednesday, turning in his second straight complete-game shutout while striking out three, giving up three hits and walking two in his team's 3-0 win over the A's.

Perez (4-0) has turned in 26 scoreless innings over his last three starts as hitters have had trouble getting bats on balls, with offenses scratching out just 13 hits during the streak. He owns a 1.42 ERA and 23:9 K:BB ratio in 38 innings. Perez will try and keep rolling Tuesday against these same A's.

Athletics pitcher Sonny Gray took the loss Wednesday despite recording a quality start, giving up three earned runs on five hits and four walks while striking out eight in his team's 3-0 loss to the Rangers.

Gray (3-1) surrendered a run on a first-inning triple, then gave up one each in the fifth and sixth innings, with the latter coming via a solo home run. He hadn't allowed a home run this season before the sixth-inning blast. Gray owns a 2.25 ERA and 31:13 K:BB ratio in 32 innings. He's on track to face the Rangers on the road Monday.

The Mariners announced Wednesday starting pitchers James Paxton (lat strain) and Taijuan Walker (shoulder) have been cleared to start playing catch. Paxton will throw Friday and Walker on Monday.

Tigers pitcher Justin Verlander picked up a win Tuesday, giving up two earned runs on eight hits and two walks in seven innings while striking out seven in his team's 8-6 win over the White Sox.

Verlander (3-1) surrendered a solo home run in the top of the first inning before watching his team score eight runs over the first five innings to build a comfortable lead. The White Sox were only able to stratch out a run in the sixth inning against Verlander before left the game. He owns a 2.18 ERA and 27:12 K:BB ratio in 33 innings. Verlander is set to face the Twins on the road Sunday.

Twins pitcher Kyle Gibson surrendered seven earned runs on 10 hits and two walks in three-plus innings while striking out three in his team's 7-3 loss to the Rays Tuesday.

Gibson (3-1) wasn't getting hit hard, but the sheer volume of runners on base led to an ugly stat line and an early exit. He began the fourth inning by giving up two singles before being removed, and both runners would come around to score. Gibson owns a 3.63 ERA and 13:11 K:BB ratio in 22 1/3 innings. He's scheduled to face the Tigers at home Sunday.

Rangers pitcher Yu Darvish won't remain on his normal five-day pitching schedule this week, and the team is likely to push his next start to Monday against Oakland, the Fort Worth Star-Telegram reports.

The team is likely to get Matt Harrison back in the rotation Friday, and the rotation shuffle appears to be pushing Darvish's two-start week to next week. He is 1-0 with a 1.61 ERA and 29:8 K:BB ratio in 28 innings over four starts.

White Sox starting pitcher Chris Sale (elbow), who was placed on the 15-day disabled list Tuesday, said he has no doubts he will be activated when eligible to return, per the Chicago Sun-Times.

Sale said the word "excellent" was used by the doctor who performed his MRI to describe the UCL in his elbow.