MLB Player News

Sale didn't factor into the decision in Friday's 4-3 extra-inning win over the Twins, allowing three hits and two walks over six scoreless innings while striking out 10.

The southpaw certainly pitched well enough to earn his 12th win of the season, recording at least nine strikeouts for the ninth straight start while extending his scoreless streak to 23 innings, but a rare meltdown by Craig Kimbrel kept Sale out of the win column. He'll carry a 2.04 ERA into his next outing Thursday at home against the Yankees.

Lynn didn't factor into the decision in Friday's 4-3 extra-inning loss to the Red Sox, allowing two runs on six hits and a walk over six innings while striking out three.

Despite his seventh quality start of the year, the right-hander was outpitched by Chris Sale and exited the game after 103 pitches (65 strikes) in line for his ninth loss, but a ninth-inning rally by the Twins took Lynn off the hook. He'll take a 5.10 ERA into his next outing Wednesday at home against Cleveland.

Carrasco didn't factor into the decision in Friday's 8-3 win over the Tigers, allowing three runs (one earned) on seven hits and two walks over 6.1 innings while striking out eight.

The right-hander generated 19 swinging strikes among his 97 pitches (68 total strikes), and Carrasco has now produced quality starts in each of his first two outings coming out of the All-Star break with a 16:3 K:BB in 13 innings. He'll take a 3.89 ERA into his next start Wednesday in Minnesota.

Nuno (hamstring), who's scheduled to throw a bullpen session Saturday, played catch from 90 feet Thursday and completed fielding work, Bill Chastain of MLB.com reports.

It was an excellent tune-up for Nuno ahead of Saturday's bullpen, which will represent another important step in his recovery. The veteran reliever will be throwing to Wilson Ramos, who's in the midst of rehabbing his own hamstring issues. If Nuno emerges from Saturday's activity free of setbacks, a minor-league rehab assignment might be on tap in the coming days.

Paxton (back) threw a bullpen session Friday without issue, so he'll be penciled into the rotation Monday against Houston, Greg Johns of MLB.com reports.

After Paxton was scratched from Tuesday's start due to back stiffness, he managed to cruise through a bullpen session. He should be ready to go for Monday's tilt, unless he suffers another setback.

German was diagnosed with ulnaritis in his elbow and will be shut down from throwing for 10 days, Conor Foley of The Scranton Times-Tribune reports.

Though general manager Brian Cashman previously said German was dealing with biceps tendinitis, further examination found a nerve issue in the elbow to be the culprit. Following the 10-day period in which German is shut down from all throwing activities, he will be reevaluated and could resume a throwing progression.

Rodriguez (ankle) has started playing catch but requires medical clearance before progressing any further, Pete Abraham of The Boston Globe reports.

Abraham added that there are no plans for Rodriguez to partake in a bullpen session at this point, but it appears as though his clearance to begin increasing his activity is right around the corner. Once he's able to build his arm back up to speed, expect to see Rodriguez head to the minor leagues for a rehab assignment.

X-rays on Gray's thumb came back negative and he expects to make his next scheduled start, Lindsey Adler of The Athletic reports.

Gray admitted that he is still feeling a bit of soreness in his right thumb but that he felt much better the next morning after getting hit by a comebacker during Thursday's outing. He will play catch Friday afternoon and, barring any sort of setback, should be able to take the mound next week against the Orioles.

Snell (shoulder) is on track to throw a bullpen session Sunday, Marc Topkin of the Tampa Bay Times reports.

He took the first step in his recovery by playing catch Thursday, and plans to increase the distance and intensity over the next two days before Sunday's bullpen session. Snell said his shoulder felt "a lot better" after playing catch. If all goes well, he is expected to slot back into the Rays' rotation Tuesday or Wednesday against the Angels.

Whitley (oblique) said he's close to returning from injury, although the organization has not commented on a possible return date, Jeremy Carranco of the San Antonio Express-News reports.

Whitley said he hasn't felt any pain since he started a throwing program about a week after first sustaining the injury July 6. The right-hander remains the top pitching prospect for the Astros and arguably in MLB, but 2018 has not been kind to him. He missed the first 50 games for violating the Minor League Drug Prevention and Treatment Program before missing three weeks due to this injury. The delays will alter his arrival time in Houston, though a late-season callup in 2019 is still possible.