MLB Player News

Anderson tossed six scoreless innings with three hits, two walks and seven strikeouts Thursday for Triple-A Gwinnett against Norfolk.

David O'Brien of The Athletic speculates that Anderson appears close to ready to help the big-league rotation after this strong outing on 93 pitches. Anderson had a 3.86 ERA, 1.20 WHIP and an 8:6 K:BB over 11.2 innings in his previous two starts at Triple-A, so things are trending up. The 26-year-old righty had Tommy John surgery in April of 2023 and began his rehab assignment two months ago. Grant Holmes has been holding his own as Atlanta's fifth starter and Reynaldo Lopez (forearm) is due back soon, so it's unclear when Anderson will get the call.

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.

Miller was scratched from his scheduled start with Triple-A Oklahoma City on Thursday, Mike DiGiovanna of the Los Angeles Times reports.

Miller isn't believed to be dealing with an injury, and DiGiovanna notes that the right-hander could be recalled from Triple-A to start Friday's game against the Cardinals, with the opening in the rotation created by the Dodgers pushing Tyler Glasnow back a day in the pitching schedule to start Saturday's contest. Justin Wrobleski is also lined up to pitch for Oklahoma City on Friday, so he or Miller would seem to the Dodgers' top options to take the hill in St. Louis. Miller opened the season in the big-league rotation, but he was sent down to the minors right before the All-Star break after posting an 8.07 ERA and 1.83 WHIP across 29 innings across seven starts. Over his last three starts in Triple-A, Miller has posted a 5.54 ERA and 1.69 WHIP across 13 frames.

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.

Quintana didn't factor into the decision Thursday against the A's, allowing four runs on seven hits and four walks over four innings. He struck out one.

Quintana struggled for most of Thursday's outing, though he'd manage to hold Oakland scoreless through the first three innings, despite loading the bases twice. However, the A's made the left-hander pay in the fourth, when JJ Bleday launched a grand slam following a pair of two-out walks. It's the third time in five starts that Quintana has issued four or more walks -- he's now allowed 12 runs over 15.2 innings in his last three outings. Overall, Quintana is 6-8 on the year with a 4.26 ERA, 1.29 WHIP and 103:50 K:BB across 129 innings. He'll look to get back on track in his next start, currently lined up for next week at home versus the Orioles.

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.