MLB Player News

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.

Atlanta promoted Lara from High-A Rome to Double-A Mississippi on Tuesday.

The 21-year-old from the Dominican Republic will make the move to the Southern League after he compiled a 3.92 ERA, 1.47 WHIP and 72 strikeouts over 62 innings at Rome. The right-hander was particularly sharp over his last four outings at High-A, turning in a 1.19 ERA and 34:7 K:BB over 22.2 frames.

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.

Ray (2-2) took the loss against Atlanta on Wednesday, allowing five runs on one hit and three walks over two-thirds of an inning while striking out two. He also plunked two batters.

It was a disastrous showing for Ray, who hit the first two batters he faced before eventually surrendering a grand slam to Michael Harris. The lefty also issued three walks before being relieved by Sean Hjelle with two outs in the opening frame. It easily marked the shortest start of the campaign for Ray, while the five runs allowed are also a season high. He's walked three batters in three of his last four outings and has a 6.00 ERA, 1.33 WHIP and 30:12 K:BB through five starts this season.