MLB Player News

Chirinos (elbow) was diagnosed with a mild flexor strain and will likely be sidelined for a month, Marc Topkin of the Tampa Bay Times reports.

Chirinos landed on the disabled list earlier in the week with a forearm strain. Fortunately, it was confirmed Thursday that the young right-hander avoided structural damage in his elbow, leaving the team optimistic that he could rejoin the big-league rotation around the beginning of June. Ryan Yarbrough was recalled from Triple-A Durham to take Chirinos' spot on the active roster and could ultimately make a spot start in his stead.

Eovaldi (elbow) will start a rehab assignment with High-A Charlotte on Friday, Marc Topkin of The Tampa Bay Times reports.

Eovaldi continues to recover from arthroscopic right elbow surgery that he underwent in late March, as he targets a return to Tampa Bay around the end of this month. The 28-year-old recently hit 99 mph during a live bullpen session earlier this week and has experienced no discomfort in the elbow since beginning a throwing program in mid-April.

Stroman reintroduced his cutter into his repertoire Wednesday, throwing the pitch approximately 20-25 times, Shi Davidi of Sportsnet.ca reports.

Although he took another loss, Stroman had his best performance of the season against Minnesota on Wednesday, and catcher Russell Martin described the cut fastball as the "difference maker." Stroman allowed just two runs on six hits and one walk while striking out five over seven innings, marking his first start this season with fewer than four runs allowed. The right-hander told Martin that he wanted to start throwing the cutter again during their pregame chat. "It's a pitch I'll start to use effectively going forward," Stroman said afterward. He lines up for two starts next week (vs. SEA, vs. BOS).

Carrasco (back) will start Game 1 of Thursday's doubleheader against Toronto, Jordan Bastian of MLB.com reports.

Carrasco was removed from Saturday's start versus Seattle after the third inning due to a case of back stiffness, but he should be fully functional for Thursday's outing. During six starts thus far in 2018, he's posted a 3.08 ERA and 0.95 WHIP with a 32:7 K:BB over 38 innings.

Heaney (1-1) held the Orioles to one run on five hits and a walk with two strikeouts through six innings to pick up the win Wednesday night.

Heaney has been on a roll his past two starts, as he has allowed just two earned runs and walked just two batters over 11 combined innings. Last time out against the Yankees, Heaney struck out nine; this time, he induced nine groundballs as he instead rode a pitch-to-contact approach to victory. Over 20.1 innings this year, Heaney has a brilliant 24:5 K:BB. Struggles with home runs have plagued him throughout his career, but if Heaney can figure out how to keep the ball in the yard, he'll be a strong addition to the middle of the Angels' rotation.

Paxton struck out 16 over seven shutout innings and allowed just five hits and a walk but was stuck with a no-decision Wednesday against the Athletics.

Seattle's bullpen couldn't make a two-run lead last across the game's final two frames, but Paxton was utterly brilliant. He induced 31 swinging strikes in 105 pitches, and he did almost all of that work with his fastball. Paxton threw 76 four-seamers of those 105 pitches and Athletics hitters whiffed at 25 of them -- just shy of one-in-three. When your fastball is that good, there's no need to change speeds. Paxton has now reached double digits in strikeouts three times this season, and his 17.0 K/9 is first in the majors among starters by a wide margin -- second place belongs to Gerrit Cole at 13.2.

Chirinos (forearm) will see a doctor Thursday when the Rays return from their 10-game road trip, Kyle Beery of MLB.com reports.

Chirinos just went on the 10-day disabled list Tuesday with his forearm strain. Ryan Yarbrough was recalled from Triple-A Durham as a result of Chirinos' injury, although the team is optimistic the latter's absence won't be an extended one.

Keuchel (1-5) took the loss against the Yankees on Wednesday, allowing three runs on six hits over seven innings while striking out five.

He came into the game with a 1.41 career ERA and pristine 0.0 HR/9 in six starts against the Yankees, but Giancarlo Stanton ruined all that by taking Keuchel deep twice. The left-hander now has a 3.98 ERA and 33:12 K:BB in 43 innings on the season, numbers he'll look to improve on further Monday in Oakland.

Severino (5-1) fired his first career shutout in Wednesday's win over the Astros, scattering five hits and a walk while striking out 10.

He was in command from the jump, as Severino threw 83 of 110 pitches for strikes while generating 17 swinging strikes and starting off 27 of 33 batters with first-pitch strikes. The right-hander has delivered four straight quality starts, and he'll take a 2.11 ERA into his next outing Tuesday at home against the Red Sox.

Kluber (5-1) picked up the win Wednesday against the Rangers, allowing three runs on six hits through seven innings while striking out six.

It was another typical day at the office for Kluber, who cruised to his fifth straight win thanks to another quality effort. The 32-year-old has now registered seven quality starts in as many appearances this season, which is reflected in his tidy 2.41 ERA and 0.78 WHIP. All three runs scored against Kluber came via solo homers, and he's now allowed six long balls over his last three starts, but his continued success during that stretch (3-0 with a 3.57 ERA and 0.84 WHIP) suggests there is little cause for concern. He'll look to extend his winning streak when he takes on the Brewers on Tuesday.