MLB Player News

Rangers pitcherNick Martinez threw a bullpen session prior to Friday's game against Toronto, and reported no setbacks, MLB.com reports. He is scheduled to throw again on Saturday in hopes of being reinstated from the disabled list as early as Monday against the Yankees.

Astros pitcher Collin McHugh will toss a bullpen session Thursday, according to the Houston Chronicle. 

McHugh is dealing with a finger injury, but is expected to return shortly after the All-Star break. Over 82 1/3 innings, he's posted a 3.28 ERA. 

Jose Quintana will get the start Friday as the White Sox open the second half against the Astros, reports CSNChicago.com. After that, it's unclear what the rotation will be.

Manager Robin Ventura said he'll wait to see what Chris Sale does in the All-Star Game before lining up the rest of the rotation, which includes John Danks, Hector Noesi and Scott Carroll. Ventura said he might break up Noesi and Carroll because they have pitched in consecutive starts three straight times.

Indians reliever Bryan Shaw was tagged for two runs on three hits and a walk in one inning of Sunday's 3-2 win over the White Sox, but still emerged with the victory. Shaw benefitted from Cleveland's two-run eighth to improve to 4-1, though his ERA rose to 2.70.

Shaw had put together six scoreless appearances until getting hammered Sunday.

The Athletics announced their post-All-Star-break rotation plans Sunday. Jeff Samardzija has drawn the first start of the second half Friday vs. Baltimore.

Jason Hammel will pitch the second game of the Baltimore series and Sonny Gray will finish off the three-game set. Scott Kazmir will then pitch the opener of a series against Houston July 22. He will be followed by Jesse Chavez before the rotation resets.

Athletics pitcher Drew Pomeranz (hand) was activated off the 15-day disabled list and then optioned to Triple-A Sacramento Sunday. The A's did not have a rotation spot for Pomeranz after trading for Jeff Samardzija and Jason Hammel.

The Red Sox announced Clay Buchholz will be on the mound for the team's second-half opener Friday vs. Kansas City. He will be followed in the three-game series by Rubby De La Rosa and Jon Lester.

John Lackey will then open a series at Toronto July 21. He will be followed by Jake Peavy before the rotation resets.

It appears for the time being that Brandon Workman will remain in the minors. He was optioned to Triple-A Pawtucket Wednesday in order to clear a roster spot for De La Rosa.

White Sox pitcher Scott Carroll, who left Saturday's start after five innings, said he'll ready to pitch after the All-Star break, reports the Chicago Sun-Times. Carroll threw five scoreless innings before deyhdration caused his hamstrings and lower back to stiffen up.

He has a scoreless streak of 11 2/3 innings.

Athletics pitcher Jesse Chavez (7-6) fell one out shy of quality start in a loss to the Mariners in Seattle Saturday night. The right-hander yielded three runs on 10 hits and two walks while striking out six over 5 2/3 innings of a 6-2 defeat.

Chavez has dropped two of his last three starts heading into the break. He owns a 3.14 ERA and a 1.30 WHIP over 19 starts (114 2/3 innings). His next start will come after the All-Star break, though the A's have yet to announce their upcoming pitching plans.

Athletics pitcher Drew Pomeranz (hand) began a minor-league rehab assignment Saturday afternoon with Triple-A Sacramento.

Pomeranz allowed one run on one hit and no walks while striking out seven over four innings of work. His only damage was a home run to Garrett Weber. It remains to be seen how many starts he'll need before he returns from the disabled list.