MLB Player News

Verlander (shoulder) threw 43 pitches over three innings during a simulated game Sunday, Anthony DiComo of MLB.com reports.

Verlander resumed throwing bullpen sessions in mid-April and has moved to a five-day schedule as he closes in on a return from the injured list. Following Sunday's simulated game, he expects to pitch in a minor-league rehab start Friday as his next appearance. If all goes well in the rehab assignment, he could return from the 15-day injured list to make his Mets debut as soon as May 3 in Detroit.

Fried did not factor into the decision Sunday, tossing 6.2 scoreless innings in which he allowed three hits and three walks during a 5-2 loss to the Astros. He struck out five.

Fried was sharp through 6.2 scoreless innings and was pulled with 107 pitches after walking Kyle Tucker, his second free pass of the inning. The left-hander was in line for the win, but Houston tied the game at 2-2 in the eighth and went on to win after posting a three-run ninth. Since returning from the 15-day injured list, Fried has struck out nine through 11.2 scoreless innings while allowing just seven hits and three walks.

Javier did not factor into the decision Sunday, allowing two runs on three hits and two walks over six innings during a 5-2 win over the Braves. He struck out 10.

Javier retired 10 straight batters, including seven via strikeout, before serving up a two-out, solo homer to Kevin Pillar in the bottom of the fifth. He got into trouble again in the sixth and another run came around to score, but the right-hander was let off the hook when Houston tied the game at 2-2 in the eighth. Javier's 10 strikeouts were a season high, and through five starts (28 innings), he has a 3.21 ERA with a 29:6 K:BB.

Schmidt (0-2) took the loss Sunday, allowing three runs (all unearned) on three hits and a walk over 5.2 innings against the Blue Jays. He struck out eight.

Schmidt held the Blue Jays off the board through five innings Sunday, setting down the first 13 batters faced. However, he unraveled in the sixth following an Anthony Volpe error, allowing three runs on back-to-back home runs from Vladimir Guerrero and Daulton Varsho. Still, the outing was a step in the right direction for Schmidt, who figures to remain in the Yankees' rotation until Luis Severino (lat) and Carlos Rodon (forearm) are ready to return. The 27-year-old Schmidt lowered his ERA to 6.30 with a 1.55 WHIP and 24:6 K:BB through five starts this season.

Rodriguez did not factor into the decision Sunday, pitching five scoreless innings in which he allowed five hits and three walks during a 2-1 win the Tigers. He struck out six.

Rodriguez allowed at least one baserunner in each of the first four frames, but he kept the Tigers off the board and was pulled after retiring the side in order in the fifth. It was the rookie's best performance of the season, and he lowered his ERA from 6.91 to 5.12. He currently sports a 25:10 K:BB through four starts (19.1 innings) and is tentatively scheduled to pitch again during a rematch against the Tigers in Detroit.

Gausman (2-2) earned the win Sunday, allowing just three hits over seven scoreless innings against the Yankees. He struck out 11.

It was quite a bounce-back outing from Gausman, stymying a powerful Yankees lineup after he allowed seven earned runs in his last start in Houston. He matched a season high with 11 strikeouts while recording his second scoreless outing through five starts to begin the year. Gausman lowered his ERA to 2.84 with a 1.01 WHIP and a league-leading 41 strikeouts. He's lined up to make his next start at home against the Mariners.

Rodriguez did not factor into the decision Sunday, tossing seven scoreless innings in which he allowed one hit and zero walks in a 2-1 loss against the Orioles. He struck out six.

Rodriguez was perfect through 6.2 innings before giving up a single to Ryan Mountcastle. He retired the next batter -- Ramon Urias -- to end the frame and keep the game scoreless. The left-hander has now allowed just one run over his past three outings (21 innings) after posting seven runs through his first two starts (10 innings). During his stellar three-game stretch, Rodriguez has surrendered 12 hits and one walk while striking out 19. His next start is tentatively scheduled for a rematch against the Orioles.

Greene (0-1) took the loss Sunday, allowing a run on four hits and two walks over six innings against the Pirates. He struck out six.

Greene allowed a run in the bottom of the first before bouncing back with five shutout innings. It was a strong performance from the 23-year-old right-hander, who left his last start after three innings with a right tibia contusion. However, Cincinnati's offense couldn't muster anything offensively, tagging Greene with a hard-luck loss. He lowered his ERA to 3.52 with a 1.39 WHIP and an impressive 30:8 K:BB through his first 23 innings this season.

Velasquez (3-2) earned the win Sunday, allowing two hits and two walks over seven scoreless innings against the Reds. He struck out 10.

Velasquez was dominant Sunday as he allowed just four baserunners over six seven scoreless innings while recording a season-high 10 strikeouts. Velasquez has logged three consecutive quality starts while allowing just three runs in his last 19 innings -- he's 3-0 with 23 strikeouts in that span. Velasquez now has a 3.76 ERA, 1.25 WHIP and 27:12 K:BB through six starts.

Urena (0-4) took the loss Sunday, allowing four runs on three hits and four walks over 3.2 innings during a 9-3 loss to the Phillies. He didn't record a strikeout.

Urena allowed a leadoff homer to Trea Turner in the bottom of the first, and it didn't get much better for the right-hander, who was pulled in the fourth with two outs after surrendering the lead. He's given up at least three runs in all five of his starts this season and currently sports a 9.82 ERA over 18.1 innings.