MLB Player News

Paxton still feels pain in his inflamed left knee but was able to pitch through it in a simulated game Friday, Brendan Kuty of The Newark Star-Ledger reports.

It sounds as though the pain may not prevent Paxton from returning to the rotation, which could happen as soon as next week. That's good news for fantasy owners in terms of his availability, but it does raise concerns about whether his performance will be affected and increases the risk of a trip back to the injured list should the pain worsen.

Clevinger (back) threw a bullpen session Friday, Tom Withers of the Associated Press reports.

Clevinger has been out with a back strain since early April. He's eligible to return no sooner than June 7 but appears on track to return around that date. The Indians are expected to decide on his rehab schedule once they see how his back responds to the bullpen session.

Perez (7-1) pitched five innings and got the win against the Angels on Thursday, allowing two runs on six hits and four walks while striking out three.

It was hardly a flawless start for Perez -- for the second straight outing, he walked four batters -- but he was able to hold the Angels to only two runs and earn an easy victory backed by Minnesota's 16-run outburst. Though his 7-1 record and 2.95 ERA this season are impressive, one has to wonder if they are sustainable based on his shaky 1.33 WHIP and 4.0 BB/9. He'll face Milwaukee in his next start Tuesday.

Giolito (6-1) dominated with a four-hit, complete-game shutout against the Astros on Thursday, walking one batter while punching out nine.

Not only was it Giolito's first complete-game shutout, but it was also the first time in his career to earn four consecutive wins. The only four hits Giolito allowed were singles as the right-hander fanned a season-high nine batters and threw 87 of 107 pitches for strikes. It was quite the feat against a top-ranked Houston offense. The right-hander will carry a 2.77 ERA, 1.06 WHIP and 59:19 K:BB into a favorable showdown with Kansas City on Tuesday.

Bundy allowed three earned runs on five hits and two walks while striking out five across 5.2 innings Thursday against the Yankees. He did not factor into the decision.

While still a passable outing, Bundy had allowed just three hits through five innings. Things unraveled a bit for him in the sixth frame as he allowed two walks and two hits that accounted for two of his three earned runs. Home runs remain an issue for him, as he yielded a solo shot to Clint Frazier in the fifth inning and has now been tagged for 2.1 HR/9 across 52 innings. On the other hand, he's surrendered only six earned runs across his last 23.2 innings, spanning four starts. He'll look to maintain the improved results in his next start, currently scheduled at home Tuesday against Detroit.

Boyd didn't factor into the decision against the Marlins on Thursday despite throwing six scoreless innings, giving up five hits, striking out seven and walking one as the Tigers eventually lost 5-2.

Boyd was in line for a win, but closer Shane Greene wound up getting tagged with a blown save after the Marlins struck for all five of their runs in the ninth inning, all unearned. The 28-year-old is still off to a strong start to the season, as he's sporting a 3.11 ERA, a 1.01 WHIP and an excellent 80:14 K:BB while holding opponents to a .214 batting average over 66.2 innings.

Ramirez was outrighted to Triple-A Columbus.

He passed through waivers unclaimed and will head to Triple-A to serve as organizational bullpen depth.

Kluber (forearm) had his cast removed Thursday, Tom Withers of the Associated Press reports.

This is a positive development in Kluber's recovery from a non-displaced fracture of his right forearm. Now it becomes a waiting game for the fracture to fully heal, at which point Kluber will begin a throwing progression. He will be re-evaluated in two weeks, according to Ryan Lewis of the Akron Beacon Journal, at which time a clearer timetable for his return could emerge.

The Yankees recalled Cortes from Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre ahead of Thursday's game against the Orioles.

Cortes was optioned to Triple-A two days earlier, but he'll be able to return from the minors before the minimum 10 days since CC Sabathia (knee) was placed on the injured list in a corresponding move. While Cortes likely won't be counted on for much high-leverage work while he's up with the big club, he could be asked to eat some innings Friday in Kansas City in what's expected to be a bullpen game for the Yankees.

Cole (4-5) gave up six runs on seven hits and one walk while striking out seven through five innings, taking the loss to the White Sox on Wednesday.

Cole gave up two solo home runs early and ran into trouble in the top of the sixth inning, allowing two runs and two baserunners before being removed without recording an out. Josh James went on to surrender a grand slam to Charlie TIlson, allowing both of the runs to score. Despite the rough outing, the 13 swinging strikes and limited free passes suggest he will bounce back. The right-hander has a 4-5 record with a 4.11 ERA and 100:17 K:BB through 11 starts this season. Cole will make his next start Monday against the Cubs.