MLB Player News

Mariners pitcher Taijuan Walker's second start Wednesday against the Royals did not go quite as well as his first, as he settled for a no-decision in a 6-4 win.

The Mariners gifted Walker with an early 4-0 lead, but he gave it right back with a four-run fourth inning. He was charged with four runs on four hits and two walks in five innings of work, while striking out two batters. He threw 45 of 79 pitches for strikes in the game.

Walker has allowed four runs in 10 innings through his first two starts, with one win and four strikeouts. He is on a pitch count of between 70 and 80 based on his first two starts, and will make his next start Tuesday against the Astros. 

Rangers pitcher Yu Darvish issued a season-high six walks in Wednesday's 11-4 loss to the A's while surrendering five earned runs on five hits and striking out four in five innings.

Darvish walked six batters on three separate occasions during his rookie season but hadn't walked more than four batters in a start in 2013 before Wednesday. He owns a 12-7 record, 2.91 ERA, 1.06 WHIP and 240:66 K:BB ratio going into Tuesday's start against the Pirates.

Orioles pitcher Jason Hammel is expected to be activated from the disabled list Thursday but will be unavailable to pitch until Friday or Saturday, MLB.com reports.

Hammel deemed himself ready to return after his final rehab appearance Tuesday, and while he'd like to rejoin the rotation, it appears he'll pitch out of the bullpen initially. Hammel is 7-8 with a 5.20 ERA, 1.51 WHIP and 85:46 K:BB ratio in 123 innings over 21 starts.

Astros starting pitcher Jordan Lyles recorded a quality start on Wednesday afternoon at home against the Minnesota Twins. Although certainly not lights out for Houston, Lyles had the lead when he left the ballgame.

Unfortunately, Erik Bedard gave up a run in each of the eighth and ninth innings to allow the Twins to tie the score. Lyles had to settle for the no-decision, his record remaining at 6-7 for the season.

He allowed three earned runs on four hits and a walk over 6 1/3 innings. Lyles threw 105 pitches and struck out four over the performance. He gave up a three-run homer to Alex Presley in the third inning for all the runs he allowed.

Lyles took a loss his last time out but has recorded back-to-back quality starts for Houston. Wins can be hard to come by pitching for the Astros. Lyles makes his next scheduled start Tuesday at Seattle.

Orioles starter Jason Hammel said he's ready to return to the majors if Baltimore needs him, MLB.com reports Tuesday. Hammel made a strong second rehab start with Class A Aberdeen Tuesday night. 

"I'd say I'm ready," Hammel said. "I don't know exactly what the plan is for the next couple days, but I've done my work, and they've taken good care of me. I feel healthy, so I'm ready to go when they want me."

Hammel would like to return as a starter for the Orioles but realizes he may get some work out of the bullpen immediately upon his return. 

Rangers starting pitcher Martin Perez was outstanding on Tuesday night in Oakland. Perez earned a win as he held the A's to just one run over seven strong innings.

Perez improved to 9-3 with a solid 3.41 ERA as he struck out five batters and gave up eight hits and no walks over 95 pitches.

The 22-year-old has won six consecutive times he's taken the hill for the Rangers. He's been absolutely fantastic and makes his next start Monday at home against Pittsburgh.

White Sox starter Chris Sale kept the Yankees offense down in the Bronx on Tuesday through seven innings. His only mistake was coming out for the eighth.

Sale gave up both earned runs he allowed in the eighth as Nate Jones allowed his inherited runners to score on an Alfonso Soriano two-run single. The Yankees ended up coming all the way back in the inning and Sale had to settle for a no-decision on the outing.

Sale held New York to three runs -- two earned -- on five hits and a walk over 7 1/3 innings. He struck out six batters and threw 114 pitches for Chicago. Sale's ERA is now at 2.97 on the season as he couldn't put the finishing touches on back-to-back wins. Still, he's allowed just three earned run allowed over 15 1/3 innings with 18 strikeouts.

Sale is to 199 Ks on the year over 187 2/3 innings. He's gone 4-1 over his last six outings for the White Sox. Sale makes his next start Sunday to close out a series in Baltimore.

Orioles starter Jason Hammel made a rehab start with Class A Aberdeen Tuesday night as he's coming back from his forearm injury, MASNSports.com reports. 

Hammel gave up three singles and a run in the third inning for the only run he gave up over four frames. He allowed the run on three hits and a walk with two strikeouts. He threw 57 pitches and 35 went for strikes. 

Hammel is 7-8 with a 5.20 ERA, 1.51 WHIP and 85:46 K:BB ratio in 123 innings. He is expected to be nearing a return to the Orioles, but could pitch out of the bullpen. 

The Mariners have gone to a six-man pitching rotation going forward, the Seattle Times reports Tuesday. 

Prospect Taijuan Walker, who won his major league debut Friday, makes his next start Wednesday at Kansas City and then again Tuesday in Seattle. That will be his final start with Brandon Maurer taking his rotation spot after that. 

The Mariners have added pitcher James Paxton, a call up Tuesday, to the starting rotation, MyNorthwest.com reports. The Mariners are going to a six-man rotation the rest of the way. 

Paxton will start Saturday against Tampa Bay for the Mariners. He had an up and down year in the minors and finished the season with a 4.45 ERA in 28 games.