MLB Player News

Albers (5-1) allowed three earned runs on three hits and a walk to earn the victory over the Rangers on Thursday. He struck out six.

Albers transitioned to the bullpen earlier this week due to the imminent returns of both James Paxton (pectoral) and Felix Hernandez (shoulder), and he played an integral role in the latter's first start off the DL on Thursday. With Hernandez on a pitch count, Albers saw a starter's workload, firing 84 pitches over five frames. The 31-year-old is expected to continue serving in a similar long-relief role over the balance of the regular season.

Nolasco (6-14) took the loss despite tossing a quality start against the Astros on Thursday. He gave up two runs on four hits and a walk while striking out one over six innings.

It was Nolasco's first quality start since Aug. 1, a span during which he posted a sub-par 5.21 ERA. The Angels continue to roll the 34-year-old out there despite receiving diminishing returns due to a lack of pitching depth. Nolasco exited unscathed against a dangerous Astros lineup, but fantasy owners shouldn't necessarily double down on his next start against the streaking Indians on Wednesday.

Eovaldi (elbow) fired a scoreless inning for Triple-A Durham in Game 2 of the International League championship series Wednesday, Marc Topkin of the Tampa Bay Times reports.

As per Topkin, Eovaldi threw a total of 17 pitches over his one frame, allowing two hits in the process. A decision on whether Eovaldi will take a major-league mound this season is likely imminent, but even if that's postponed until 2018, the right-hander has undeniably made an impressive recovery from August 2016 Tommy John surgery.

Berrios gave up one run over 5.2 innings with five strikeouts and four walks, but got a no-decision in Thursday's win over Toronto.

Berrios continued his strong home splits with a 2.45 ERA in 66 innings. He was set for the win before closer Matt Belisle gave up a tying home run in the ninth inning. The Twins eventually won in 10 innings.

Miley (8-13) allowed six runs on six hits and recorded just a single out during Thursday's loss to the Yankees.

Miley appeared to be turning a corner with just 16 earned runs allowed through his previous eight games, but Thursday's outing was a stern reminder that the lefty should continue to be viewed as a risky fantasy asset. Miley sports a discouraging 5.32 ERA and 1.70 WHIP entering his next projected start against the Red Sox at Camden Yards.

McKenzie went 12-6 with a 3.46 ERA, 1.05 WHIP and 186 strikeouts over 25 starts (143 innings) during his first season at High-A Lynchburg.

The Tribe's top pitching prospect delivered on the hype, leading the Carolina League in wins and strikeouts. McKenzie notched at least eight punch outs in more than half of his starts, amassing a ridiculous 11.5 K/9. He'll almost certainly begin 2018 at Double-A Akron, with a strong possibility of making his MLB debut at some point next season.

McCullers (arm) will throw a bullpen session this weekend, Brian McTaggart of MLB.com reports.

McCullers was scratched from his scheduled start Wednesday due to arm fatigue, but he is apparently feeling good enough to try and throw again over the weekend. The Astros won't be in any hurry to rush McCullers back into the rotation, but if he feels better after throwing over the weekend, he could start for the club again at some point next week.

Giolito was pleased to be able to grind out a quality start Wednesday while not being at his best, the Chicago Tribune reports. "To come out and pitch on the road and not have your best stuff working from the get-go and then just keep grinding through to try and get ahead of batters to the best of my ability (was good)," Giolito said after taking a no-decision in an eventual win over the Royals.

Giolito, who threw only 11 first-pitch strikes over 27 batters faced, didn't author a clean inning until the fifth. This was more than just a quality start; it was part of his on-the-job learning process as a pitcher in the majors. The young right-hander acknowledged he still has some work to do, particularly in the area of throwing strike one, but emerged from the start with more confidence. Through five MLB starts, Giolito is 2-2 with a 2.56 ERA.

Perez (12-11) took the loss against Seattle on Wednesday after giving up three runs on seven hits -- including two homers -- and three walks across 5.1 innings.

After giving up just one long ball in his past five outings and pitching to a 2.45 ERA over his last four, Perez hit a predictable spate of regression. His control's improved some this year, but it's still rather sporadic, and Perez's low-strikeout ways have not been a boon for either the Rangers or fantasy owners. He'll get a chance at revenge against the Mariners next Tuesday.

Paxton (pectoral) threw 10 pitches off the bullpen mound in Arlington on Wednesday in anticipation of his Friday start against the Astros, Greg Johns of MLB.com reports.

This was the 28-year-old southpaw's final step before making his long-awaited return from the disabled list Friday against the Astros. Paxton will have missed just over a month when he finally returns, having last pitched on Aug. 10 against the Angels.