MLB Player News

Bundy (3-6) allowed three earned runs on two hits while walking one and striking out 14 in a complete game to earn the win Thursday against the White Sox.

Bundy was given a nine-run cushion by the third inning and he took advantage by pummeling the strike zone, throwing 85 of his 121 pitches for strikes. He generated 20 swinging strikes, aiding him to a career-best 14 strikeouts. The sole blemish on his line came on a three-run home by Jose Rondon in the fourth inning. In three starts since allowing seven earned runs without recording an out in his May 8 start, Bundy has given up only seven earned runs across 22 innings while striking out 29 batters.

Eovaldi (elbow) will rejoin the Rays' rotation Monday or Tuesday against the Athletics, Marc Topkin of the Tampa Bay Times reports.

Eovaldi allowed eight runs on 10 hits over four innings in his most recent rehab start with Triple-A Durham, but he struck out six and manager Kevin Cash said he felt fine afterwards, so his next start will come for the big club. The right-hander, who has been sidelined all season with an elbow issue, most recently pitched in the majors in 2016, when he posted a 4.76 ERA across 124.2 innings with the Yankees.

Nicasio was credited with his 14th hold in Wednesday's win over the Athletics, allowing a hit and recording a strikeout over a scoreless eighth inning.

Wednesday's pitching breakdown couldn't have been scripted any better from manager Scott Servais' perspective, as Nicasio gave him a strong eighth inning and played his setup role ahead of closer Edwin Diaz to perfection after starter Marco Gonzales had delivered seven scoreless frames. After a rough first half of May, Nicasio has bounced back to produce three straight scoreless efforts, grabbing two holds in the process.

Eovaldi (elbow) allowed eight earned runs on 10 hits over four innings in Triple-A Durham's loss to Gwinnett on Wednesday. He struck out six and threw 71 pitches overall.

This was slated to be Eovaldi's final rehab start, and if so, it certainly did nothing to build momentum heading into what would be his 2018 big-league debut. The veteran right-hander was transferred to the 60-day disabled list earlier in the day as a procedural move, but he's eligible to be activated as soon as next Monday. Despite the rough outing Wednesday, there's been no indication that it will derail plans to have Eovaldi return to action next week.

Perez (elbow) has been cleared to throw a bullpen session Friday, Evan Grant of the Dallas Morning News reports.

That was the good news for Perez, who is on the disabled list with inflammation in the nerve near his right (non-pitching) elbow. The bad news is that he's not allowed to catch the ball, which means he's not close to a return.

Gonzales (4-3) struck out six and held the Athletics to just two hits and two walks through seven shutout innings in a winning effort Wednesday night.

Gonzales threw each of his four pitches for strikes with regularity Wednesday, as he threw at least 50 percent strikes on his fastball, sinker, changeup and curve -- and threw each at least 20 times. That ability to change speeds and rely on each different pitch for strikes in different counts is critical to Gonzales' success, as his fastball sits in the low-90s and can't be a swing-and-miss threat without breaking and off-speed pitches to keep hitters off balance. His next start will come Monday against the Rangers.

Cobb was hammered for six runs on eight hits and two walks with three strikeouts over just 3.2 innings Wednesday against the White Sox.

Cobb just couldn't miss bats, as he mustered just four swinging strikes in 81 pitches and was touched up for a three-run home run by Yoan Moncada. Cobb has now surrendered four home runs in his past three starts, giving him eight allowed in as many outings this season. Since coming back from Tommy John surgery in 2016, Cobb has had a home run issue, as he has now allowed 28 homers in 204 innings since his return, a 1.2 HR/9 that sits at nearly double the 0.7 HR/9 he owned in his first four major-league seasons.

Verlander (6-2) earned the win over the Giants on Wednesday, striking out nine over six innings while allowing one run on three hits and a walk.

Verlander was locked in, getting ahead with 17 first-pitch strikes to the 22 batters he faced and inducing 18 swinging strikes. Even in his age-35 season, he continues to be absolutely lights out, boasting an absurd 1.08 ERA and career-high 11.2 K/9. Verlander has allowed more than one earned run just twice this year -- and more than two only once -- but he'll draw a tough matchup his next time out in New York against the Yankees on Monday.

Gibson (1-3) took the loss Wednesday, allowing three runs on six hits and a walk while striking out three over six innings against the Tigers.

Gibson remains winless since his first start of the season, but he picked up a quality start in this one for the third time in four outings and the fourth time in his last six. The 30-year-old gave up another home run Wednesday -- his third in the last two starts -- but his 0.8 HR/9 is still well below last year's 1.4 mark. To go along with a 4.02 ERA, Gibson is sporting a career-best 9.3 K/9. He's slated to take on the Royals in Kansas City on Tuesday.

Eovaldi (elbow) was shifted to the 60-day disabled list Wednesday, Marc Topkin of the Tampa Bay Times reports.

The 28-year-old right-hander hit the 60-day disabled list to make room for Vidal Nuno on the 40-man roster. Eovaldi will be eligible for reinstatement as early as May 28.