MLB Player News

Scherzer (shoulder) upped the intensity of his flat-ground throwing Monday, Evan Grant of the Dallas Morning News reports.

We're only two weeks into the projected 8-to-12 week timetable Scherzer was given after being diagnosed with a low-grade strain of the teres major muscle in his right shoulder. Clearly, Scherzer is doing his best to beat that timeline, perhaps by a significant margin. "It's another step forward," Scherzer said. "I'm continuing to strengthen my arm. [Throwing off] the mound is close." Scherzer still has multiple hurdles to clear, but he's giving himself a shot to make it back for a potential Rangers postseason run.

Heaney pitched 1.1 scoreless innings in relief during Monday's 5-1 win over the Angels.

Heaney threw 22 pitches as part of the bullpen that covered the final three innings after starter Jon Gray left with a wrist injury. With Cody Bradford set to open Tuesday's game, it looks like the Rangers may need length out of the bullpen, which Heaney has frequently provided in September.

Schmidt allowed two runs on three hits and three walks while striking out three batters over four innings in a no-decision against Arizona on Monday.

The only runs Schmidt allowed came on an Alek Thomas double in the first inning. However, after a clean second frame, the right-handed hurler labored in the third and fourth, allowing a pair of runners in each inning. He didn't return for the fifth after having thrown 79 pitches. This was Schmidt's shortest outing since Aug. 14, when he gave up eight runs over 2.1 frames against Atlanta. He figures to have one more start remaining this season, which lines up to come against the Royals over the weekend.

Verlander (12-8) allowed one run on three hits and a walk while striking out eight over eight-plus innings to earn the win over the Mariners on Monday.

This was Verlander's longest outing since he was traded from the Mets to the Astros at the deadline. It was also his third quality start over five outings in September. The 40-year-old right-hander is now at a 3.32 ERA, 1.14 WHIP and 139:42 K:BB through 157.1 innings over 26 starts this season. He's tentatively lined up to face the Diamondbacks on the road this weekend, but Houston may change its pitching plans depending on its positioning in the standings and whether the team needs to line up a playoff rotation.

Castillo (14-8) allowed five runs on eight hits and a walk while striking out eight over six innings, taking the loss Monday versus the Astros.

Castillo gave up three runs in the second inning and then allowed solo shots to Yordan Alvarez in the third and Kyle Tucker in the sixth. Meanwhile, the Mariners mustered only three hits and a walk in the contest, leaving Castillo with lackluster run support. The loss was his first since July 14 against the Tigers, and he'd won eight of his 12 starts since that game. He's now at a 3.20 ERA, 1.06 WHIP and 215:51 K:BB over 194.1 innings through 32 starts this year. He's tentatively projected to make his last start of the regular season at home versus the Rangers this weekend.

Gray (9-8) was removed from Monday's start against the Angels due to right wrist tightness, Evan Grant of The Dallas Morning News reports. He allowed one run on five hits while striking out seven over six innings before leaving the game.

Gray went out to the mound to work the bottom of the seventh inning, but he didn't feel quite right during his warmups and ultimately left the field with training staff. He'll be considered day-to-day until the team evaluates him further.

Sandoval left Monday's start against Texas with right oblique tightness, Sarah Valenzuela of the Los Angeles Times reports.

With the Angels already eliminated from postseason contention, it would be surprising to see Sandoval pitch again this year with just a handful of games left, especially considering the location of his injury. The team should have an official update on his availability down the stretch after evaluating him further over the next day or so.

Sandoval left Monday's start against the Rangers due to an undisclosed injury, Sarah Valenzuela of the Los Angeles Times reports. He allowed two hits and five walks while striking out two over three scoreless innings prior to exiting.

Sandoval suffered the injury in the top of the fourth inning after walking the first two batters he faced, and after receiving a visit from his manager and the trainer, he walked off the mound for the night. He'll be considered day-to-day until the nature of the injury comes into focus.

Perez was credited with his second hold of the season in Sunday's 9-8 win over the Mariners after striking out a batter and allowing two earned runs on one hit and two walks over 1.2 innings out of the bullpen.

After Perez delivered 4.2 scoreless innings out of the bullpen Wednesday, manager Bruce Bochy told Jeff Wilson of RangersToday.com that the veteran southpaw might be a candidate to fill the vacant No. 5 spot in the rotation. The open spot in the rotation comes up Tuesday against the Angels, but after throwing 40 pitches in relief Sunday, Perez no longer looks like a realistic option to start for Texas. The Rangers could end up treating Tuesday's contest as more of a bullpen day, with the likes of Andrew Heaney, Jake Latz and Cody Bradford presumably available to cover multiple innings, if needed.

Vasquez struck out two and was charged with two earned runs on three hits and two walks over 2.1 innings out of the bullpen in Sunday's 7-1 loss to the Diamondbacks.

Vasquez entered the rotation Sept. 12 to make a 3.2-inning start in Game 1 of a doubleheader in Boston, but he's made his subsequent two appearances out of the bullpen. The Yankees appear to have settled on Luke Weaver as their No. 5 starter over Vasquez and Jhony Brito, both of whom will likely continue to work in relief for the final week of the season.