MLB Player News

Perez (elbow) is hoping to begin a minor-league rehab assignment Monday, T.R. Sullivan of MLB.com reports.

Perez tossed live batting practice Wednesday for the second time in less than a week and reported no issues afterwards. The Rangers are expected to wait and see how the southpaw checks out Thursday before determining the next step in his rehab, but it sounds like he's on the verge of being cleared for minor-league action.

Manager John Gibbons confirmed Stroman (shoulder) will be activated from the disabled list to start Saturday against the Angels, Ben Nicholson-Smith of Sportsnet.ca reports.

As expected, Stroman has been cleared to rejoin the big-league rotation after getting through a simulated game -- due to his scheduled rehab start being rained out -- with no issues earlier in the week. The right-hander will look to turn things around now that he's healthy, as he struggled to a 7.71 ERA and 1.71 WHIP across seven starts (37.1 innings) prior to landing on the shelf with a shoulder injury in mid-May. His return will likely push Sam Gaviglio from the starting rotation.

Clevinger (6-2) tossed seven one-run innings to earn the win Tuesday against the White Sox, striking out 10 while allowing five hits and two walks.

Clevinger's stuff was electric Tuesday, as he threw 68 percent of his pitches for strikes, including first-pitch strikes to 22 of 31 batters faced. He was touched up for a run in the first inning but quickly rounded into form and cruised into the eighth inning before an elevated pitch count led to his removal. He's had back-to-back outstanding efforts against the White Sox, during which he's struck out 21 while walking three over 14.2 total innings. He'll face another favorable matchup this weekend against the Tigers.

Rodon (0-2) allowed four runs on five hits and two walks while striking out five over 6.1 innings in Tuesday's 6-3 loss to Cleveland.

Rodon had a bout of wildness in the second inning when he gave up all four runs. He walked two, hit a batter and allowed a run on a wild pitch. Other than that, he was good. He retired 11 of the final 12 batters faced and pitched into the seventh inning for the first time in three starts. He'll get his second start of the week Sunday at home against the A's.

Blackburn allowed two runs on four hits in a no-decision against the Padres on Tuesday, striking out four and walking two in five innings.

Tuesday's outing was a nice bounceback performance from Blackburn's previous start (in which he allowed eight runs in 1.1 innings), and he made it to 85 pitches (53 strikes) on the night. The young right-hander has now made three starts this year, allowing 15 hits in 12.1 innings while striking out seven and walking four. With several A's starters expected to return to the rotation soon, his time in the rotation is likely nearing an end.

Berrios did not factor into the decision Tuesday, allowing one run on five hits and three walks while striking out six over 6.1 innings against the Red Sox.

Berrios was taken deep with two outs in the sixth inning by Rafael Devers, but aside from that mistake he shut down a potent Boston lineup all night. The 24-year-old wasn't at his sharpest -- the three walks matched a season high and he also threw a wild pitch and hit a batter -- but he managed to work his way through it without his best stuff to earn his third straight quality start and sixth in seven tries. He'll take a 3.38 ERA into Sunday's home date against the Rangers.

Sale struck out 11 over seven innings Tuesday, allowing two runs on three hits and a walk in a no-decision against the Twins.

Sale attacked hitters from the start, throwing first-pitch strikes to 22 of the 26 batters he faced en route to notching double-digit strikeouts for the fifth time this year. The 29-year-old is sporting a terrific 12.5 K/9 on the year, though the high-powered Boston offense hasn't given the lefty ace much to work with recently. The team has lost four of his last five outings (1-3 personally in that span) with just 11 total runs worth of support over that stretch. He'll take a 2.74 ERA into Sunday's start against the Mariners.

Verlander did not factor into the decision Tuesday, striking out 10 over 6.2 innings while allowing one run on six hits and a walk against the Rays.

Verlander was incredibly sharp all night, inducing 24 swinging strikes and throwing 87 of his season-high 122 pitches for strikes. The lone mistake came in the second inning when C.J. Cron served a fastball into the seats in left for a solo blast -- the fourth homer he's allowed in the last three starts. Recent long ball issues aside, Verlander has been dominant all year long, tossing quality starts in all but one of his 16 turns. He'll sport a pristine 1.60 ERA heading into Monday's start against the Blue Jays.

Snell (9-4) got the win Tuesday, allowing one run on three hits and seven walks while striking out six over seven innings against the Astros.

Snell wasn't at his sharpest with a season-high seven walks and only just over half of his pitches going for strikes (57 of 102), but he allowed just three singles and was helped out by his defense with a couple of double plays and another out on the basepaths when Alex Bregman attempted to stretch a single into a double. The lefty's nine wins trail only Corey Kluber and Luis Severino in the AL, and he now sports a sterling 2.48 ERA. He's struggled with command a bit of late with a 15:13 K:BB in 18 innings over his last three starts, but on the year he's now at 9.8 K/9. Next up is a home date with the Nationals on Monday.

Hammel (2-8) took the loss Tuesday, allowing four runs on nine hits and four walks while striking out four over 5.2 innings against the Rangers.

Hammel wasn't able to fool Texas hitters, inducing just five swings and misses en route to walking a season-high four. The 35-year-old seemed to be turning a corner of late with a 2.56 ERA over his previous five starts entering Tuesday, so the nine-hit, four-run showing was a bit of a setback. He now sports a 4.98 and 59:25 K:BB over 90.1 innings heading into Monday's makeup game against the Angels.