MLB Player News

Verlander (neck) threw 57 pitches and allowed two runs (one earned) on four hits while striking out five over four innings during his rehab start with Double-A Corpus Christi on Thursday.

Verlander has now pitched seven innings across his two rehab appearances, allowing two earned runs in the process. His pitch count increased slightly from 52 pitches during his first rehab outing on Aug. 10 to 57 in Thursday's game, so he's not yet built up to a full starter's workload. The 41-year-old right-hander will be re-evaluated Friday, and if all checks out, he could make his return during Houston's upcoming series versus Boston, which begins Monday.

Spence allowed five runs on four hits over 2.2 innings in a no-decision Thursday against the Mets. He struck out one.

Spence allowed a run on a wild pitch in the second inning before surrendering four runs in the fourth, highlighted by Mark Vientos' two-run homer. However, the A's would rally to overcome the 5-0 deficit, getting Spence off the hook in an eventual 7-6 win. The 26-year-old Spence hadn't allowed more than two runs in any of his previous four starts, posting a 2.78 ERA in that span (22.2 innings). Overall, he's 7-8 on the year with a 4.64 ERA, 1.34 WHIP and 87:34 K:BB across 108.2 innings. Spence will look to get back on track in his next start, currently scheduled for next week at home against Tampa Bay.

Maeda didn't factor into the decision Thursday against Seattle, allowing just one hit and one walk over 5.2 scoreless innings. He struck out five.

Maeda's certainly shown improvement since he started working in bulk relief -- he's posted a 2.84 ERA across 19 innings in his last four appearances. Overall, the veteran right-hander is 2-5 with a 6.18 ERA, 1.39 WHIP and 71:25 K:BB across 90.1 innings this year. Maeada's currently slated to start next week on the road versus the Cubs, though he could work behind an opener again due to his recent success.

Miller didn't factor into the decision in Thursday's 2-1 loss to the Tigers. He allowed just two hits while striking out nine over seven scoreless innings.

Miller was dominant Tuesday, though he'd ultimately come away with a no-decision after the Mariners' bullpen gave up two runs in the eighth. The 25-year-old right-hander has delivered 13 scoreless innings over his last two starts, allowing just five hits while striking out 15 in that span. Overall, Miller is 9-7 this year with a 3.29 ERA, 1.00 WHIP and 128:31 K:BB across 139.2 innings. He'll have a tougher matchup in his next outing, currently scheduled for early next week on the road against the Dodgers.

Scherzer (shoulder) said Thursday that he's "turned a corner" and plans to throw a bullpen session Friday, Evan Grant of The Dallas Morning News reports.

Scherzer received a nerve injection which has helped him take a step forward in his recovery from right shoulder fatigue. He will have gone two weeks without any throwing, so the veteran right-hander will need a little time to be built back up. A clearer timetable for Scherzer's return could be available in the coming days.

Red Sox manager Alex Cora said Thursday that Criswell (illness) is expected to be ready to return from the COVID-19 injured list to make a start or bulk-relief appearance Friday in Baltimore, Chris Cotillo of MassLive.com reports.

Friday is the first day he's eligible for activation from the COVID-19 IL. Criswell is poised to serve as the Red Sox's No. 5 starter indefinitely after James Paxton recently sustained a likely season-ending calf injury. The 28-year-old Criswell holds a 4.02 ERA and 56:17 K:BB over 71.2 innings in a swingman role for Boston this season.

Kochanowicz is scheduled to start Sunday against Atlanta at Angel Stadium.

The rookie right-hander will make a second straight turn through the rotation and stick around as the club's No. 5 starter over Davis Daniel, who was optioned to Triple-A Salt on Tuesday. Kochanowicz struck out two batters and allowed just two runs over 7.2 innings en route to claiming his first big-league victory his last time out Sunday against the Nationals, but the 23-year-old was lit up for 12 runs (11 earned) in seven innings across his first two starts with the Angels back in July before he was sent back to the minors.

Rangers manager Bruce Bochy said Wednesday that Scherzer received a nerve injection for his right shoulder and is feeling "really good," Shawn McFarland of The Dallas Morning News reports.

Scherzer was sent in for a precautionary MRI earlier this week after he had struggled to bounce back from right shoulder fatigue, an issue he contended with during his most recent start July 30 before landing on the injured list three days later. The recent diagnostic tests apparently didn't reveal anything too concerning, and Scherzer's condition finally seems to be trending back up again now after getting the injection. The veteran right-hander is still without a clear timeline for his return from the IL, and a target date likely won't come into focus until he's cleared to start throwing again.

Bradford is slated to start Thursday's game against the Twins at Globe Life Field.

Bradford will be making a third consecutive appearance as a starter, an unexpected development after the Rangers moved him to the bullpen during his minor-league rehab assignment before he was activated from the 60-day injured list July 29. However, with injuries to Jon Gray (groin), Max Scherzer (shoulder) and Nathan Eovaldi (oblique) having since tested the Rangers' starting depth, Bradford looks like he could have a pathway to a rotation spot. Bradford has turned in a solid 12:1 K:BB while allowing four earned runs over 8.2 innings across his last two starts, and a strong outing Thursday should be enough to keep him ahead of Jose Urena and Dane Dunning in the rotation pecking order. Even though Eovaldi is expected to avoid an IL stint, the Rangers should have room in the rotation for two of Bradford, Urena and Dunning until at least two of Gray, Scherzer or Jacob deGrom (elbow) return from the IL.

The Yankees optioned Warren to Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre on Thursday, Greg Joyce of the New York Post reports.

Warren turned in a solid spot start in Wednesday's 10-2 win over the White Sox, taking a no-decision while allowing two runs over five frames. He'll rejoin the Scranton/Wilkes-Barre rotation and would likely be the first hurler called upon when/if the Yankees need another starter.