MLB Player News

Nuno (hamstring) is close to throwing live batting practice, Marc Topkin of the Tampa Bay Times reports.

The veteran southpaw has been on the disabled list since July 4 with a hamstring strain he suffered in a 16-inning win against the Marlins the night prior. The fact Nuno is reportedly approaching a live BP session is particularly encouraging, given that it's usually the final step before a minor-league rehab assignment.

Chirinos (0-2) gave up three runs on six hits and one walk while striking out six in 6.2 innings Tuesday against the Yankees. He took the loss.

This was easily the longest start of his big-league career, as he previously topped out at 5.2 innings on April 17. He threw 87 pitches Tuesday and faced 27 batters, and has yet to throw more than 90 pitches in a big-league start. Given that it's the Rays, there are no guarantees that he will stick in the rotation for another turn, but that seems likely, given how well he performed. If he does stick, his next start will likely come Sunday in Baltimore.

Berrios (10-7) tossed seven shutout innings Tuesday in Toronto, striking out nine en route to his 10th win of the season. He gave up four hits and one walk.

This was one of his best starts of the season, as he was in complete control throughout. Of the four hits he allowed, three were singles. With a 3.48 ERA, 1.00 WHIP, 136 strikeouts (in 134.1 innings) and 10 wins, Berrios is performing like a borderline SP1. His next start will come Sunday in Boston.

Paxton (back) hopes to return to the rotation in five or six days, Greg Johns of MLB.com reports.

He was scratched from Tuesday's start against the Giants because his back apparently stiffened up after the 35-pitch bullpen session he threw Saturday. It's unfortunate that the Mariners waited until a few hours before the game to announce that Paxton wasn't ready to return, but fortunately it sounds like he could return either this weekend against the Angels or next week against the Astros. Roenis Elias was tabbed as the emergency starter against San Francisco.

Paxton (back) has been scratched from Tuesday's start against the Giants, Greg Johns of MLB.com reports.

His bullpen session reportedly went well Saturday, so it's not clear exactly what happened between then and now. Roenis Elias will get the emergency start in his place. It's unclear when Paxton will return to the mound.

Mize will make his professional debut Thursday in the Gulf Coast League, Emily Waldon of The Athletic Detroit reports.

The Tigers understandably gave Mize plenty of rest after his junior season at Auburn, but he threw a 30-pitch side session Monday with High-A Lakeland and will now join the GCL Tigers West for a 30-pitch outing, going either one or two innings. Assuming all goes as expected, he will return to Lakeland for a 3-to-4 inning start July 31. The main takeaway for dynasty leagues is that Mize is healthy and appears poised to spend the bulk of the remainder of this season at the High-A level, which could set him up to open 2019 at Double-A.

Montas was recalled from Triple-A Nashville ahead of Tuesday's start against the Rangers.

Few MLB starters appear more destined for negative regression than Montas, as he boasts a 3.35 ERA that is not supported at all by his 1.39 WHIP, 30:15 K:BB in 48.1 innings or his 4.56 xFIP. That said, he figures to stick in the big-league rotation for the time being.

Bieber was recalled from Triple-A Columbus prior to Tuesday's start against the Pirates.

He had already been confirmed as the starter for this contest, so this was an anticipated move. Bieber has a 3.53 ERA, 1.34 WHIP and 42 strikeouts in 43.1 innings (seven starts) this season. With a good outing against Pittsburgh, he could exhaust his prospect status (50 MLB innings). Bieber should stick in the big-league rotation going forward as long as he keeps his head above water.

The Red Sox should learn more about Rodriguez (ankle) next week after his walking boot is removed, Jason Mastrodonato of the Boston Herald reports.

Rodriguez has a history of lower-body injuries, from which his recovery has taken more time than initially expected. We'll learn more next week, but it's entirely possible a rehabilitation stint is in order for the left-hander. In the meantime, Brian Johnson will remain in the rotation, although the Red Sox have scouted starting pitching, including Toronto's J.A. Happ per Bob Elliott of CBC Sports.

Kluber (12-6) was rocked for seven runs (three earned) on nine hits and one walk across four innings in a loss to the Pirates on Monday. He struck out two.

Kluber made his first start of the second half after shaking off a knee issue, but he hardly looked like his normal self. He allowed four runs following a two-out error in the second inning and three more on four hits in the fourth. While Kluber's struggles could be attributed to a bit of rust after 11 days off and the recent knee issue, he's now allowed 18 earned runs across 26 innings in his last four starts. He still holds a shiny 2.88 ERA and will look to bounce back this weekend against the Tigers.