MLB Player News

Hammel (1-5) picked up the win Tuesday, throwing seven innings with six strikeouts while allowing one run on nine hits against the Cardinals.

Hammel was finally able to get in the win column in 2018, and put together what was arguably his best start of the season. The 35-year-old threw first-pitch strikes to 20 of the 29 batters he faced, and induced 14 swinging-strikes en route to a season-high six strikeouts. The nine hits allowed were still a bit high, but all nine were singles and he was mostly able to scatter them thanks in part to a pair of unsuccessful stolen-base attempts. Despite the good performance Tuesday, Hammel will carry a 5.70 ERA into Sunday's tilt against the Rangers.

Boyd was pulled from Tuesday's game against the Twins with left oblique spasms, Chris McCosky of The Detroit News reports.

Boyd lasted only four innings (61 pitches) and allowed two runs on one hit with two walks and four strikeouts. The 27-year-old started the fifth inning with back-to-back walks which prompted a visit from the athletic trainer, and he subsequently left the game. The initial diagnosis of oblique spasms rather than a strain is a good sign, but Boyd's status for his next expected start -- Monday against the Angels -- should be considered questionable for the time being.

Chirinos (forearm) will begin a minor-league rehab assignment with High-A Charlotte on Thursday, Marc Topkin of the Tampa Bay Times reports.

Chirinos has been on the disabled list all month with a forearm strain. He reported feeling good following a live batting practice session Monday, clearing the way for him to head out on what will presumably be a lengthy rehab stint.

Stroman (shoulder) resumed throwing Monday, Mike Wilner of Sportsnet 590 The Fan reports.

Stroman threw for the first time since landing on the disabled list earlier in May with shoulder fatigue. While he reported feeling good afterwards, the 27-year-old remains without a timetable for his return. Joe Biagini should continue to fill in for Stroman in the meantime.

Schmidt (elbow) threw a simulated game Tuesday, Steve Givarz of 2080 Baseball reports.

Schmidt, the Yankees' first-round pick in the 2017 first-year player draft, continues to slowly work his way back from Tommy John surgery that he underwent in April of 2017. His fastball velocity was apparently sitting around 92-93 mph in the simulated outing, which is around his pre-surgery velocity. The 22-year-old will continue to ramp up his throwing before hopefully joining a minor-league affiliate in the coming months.

Mejia (finger) will return from the disabled list to start for Triple-A Rochester on Tuesday, Mike Berardino of the St. Paul Pioneer Press reports.

Mejia has been out since late April with a blister. He's thrown just nine innings for Rochester this season, allowing six earned runs. In 21 starts for the Twins last year, he posted a 4.50 ERA with equally unimpressive strikeout (19.2 percent) and walk (9.9 percent) rates.

Berrios (5-4) struck out nine and allowed just two runs on three hits and two walks through eight innings to earn the victory Monday over the Tigers.

Berrios had the nastiest of curves working Monday night, as he needed just 30 of them to induce six swinging strikes and four outs in play. When he can throw that pitch for a strike, it's almost impossible for hitters to keep their balance, as they have to not just be ready for the curveball, but a fastball that touched as high as 96.0 mph against the Tigers. Berrios has used consecutive quality starts to drive his ERA down to 3.82 and will look to stay hot Sunday against the Mariners.

Bieber tossed eight scoreless innings Sunday for Triple-A Columbus in its 2-1 win over Charlotte. He gave up three hits and no walks and struck out eight.

Though the righty doesn't possess overwhelming stuff, his stellar command and control has aided his emergence this season as one of the more dominant arms in the upper minors. Across 58.1 innings between Double-A Akron and Triple-A this season, Bieber has rung up a 1.32 ERA and 54:3 K:BB through 58.1 innings, while also generating groundballs at a steady clip. With the Indians in search of a reliable fifth starter after Josh Tomlin was demoted to the bullpen over the weekend, it may not take long for Bieber to receive a call to the big leagues if Adam Plutko or some of the Indians' more seasoned alternatives are unable to provide quality innings at the back of the rotation.

Carrasco (5-3) took the loss against Houston on Sunday, surrendering three earned runs on eight hits over 7.2 innings, striking out six and walking one as the Indians fell 3-1.

Carrasco pitched well in this contest but was dealt the loss thanks to a stellar effort on the part of Houston's Lance McCullers. It was Carrasco's third straight quality start since he was lit up by the Blue Jays for six earned in 5.1 innings May 3, and while he's been a bit boom-or-bust through his first 10 starts of the season, his overall numbers are solid as he now holds a 3.65 ERA, a 1.07 WHIP and a 63:14 K:BB through 66.2 innings.

McCullers (6-2) got the win Sunday, throwing seven one-hit innings against the Indians while giving up no runs, striking out eight, and walking two as the Astros eventually prevailed 3-1.

McCullers has been cruising of late, as this strong outing against Cleveland marked the seventh straight start where he's given up three earned runs or fewer since he was blown up for eight earned by the Twins back on April 11. This latest effort brought his ERA down to 3.20 and his WHIP to 1.14, and he boasts a solid 66:23 K:BB through 59 innings this season. He should also continue to be in line for his fair share of wins pitching for an Astros team that will offer plenty of run support.