MLB Player News

Paxton (pectoral) will throw another bullpen session Tuesday and then a simulated game next Saturday, Bob Dutton of The Tacoma News Tribune reports.

He remains on track to return to the Mariners' rotation in mid-September, but has a couple more hurdles to clear before that becomes a reality. Saturday's 27-pitch bullpen, which Paxton threw at 75 percent intensity as per Josh Horton of MLB.com, was certainly a step in the right direction. Paxton has been sidelined since Aug. 10, and posted a 2.78 ERA, 1.08 WHIP and 138 strikeouts in 119.2 innings prior to this latest ailment.

Morton (11-6) allowed two runs on six hits and a walk while striking out nine batters through five innings during Saturday's win over the Mets.

After allowing seven runs through 13 innings over his past two starts, this was a solid rebound from Morton. He sports a 3.87 ERA, 1.22 WHIP and 10.1 K.9 for the campaign and pitches for a contender, so the 33-year-old veteran projects to remain a fantasy staple in all settings. Morton lines up to face the Mariners at Safeco Field in his next start.

McCullers (back) will come off the DL to start Wednesday's game against the Mariners, Jake Kaplan of the Houston Chronicle reports.

This new and improved Astros rotation will take shape next week, with Dallas Keuchel starting Monday and Justin Verlander starting Tuesday. McCullers threw a five-inning rehab start Wednesday in which he totaled 60 pitches, but that was followed by a 15-pitch simulated inning in the bullpen, so it seems like he should be able to approach 100 pitches in his return from the DL. He has a 3.92 ERA, 1.29 WHIP and 118 strikeouts in 105.2 innings this season.

Jaye was recalled from Triple-A Toledo on Friday.

A 25-year-old righty, Jaye will be getting his first taste of the big leagues thanks to September roster expansion. He notched a 3.58 ERA, 1.56 WHIP and 42 strikeouts in 60.1 innings (11 starts) with the Mud Hens. Given what the Tigers have already announced regarding other starters, Jaye seems most likely to be used in long relief.

Gray (8-9) fell to the Red Sox on Friday, allowing four runs on five hits -- including three home runs -- and a walk over seven innings while striking out nine.

The right-hander looked dominant at times in this one, firing 67 of 98 pitches for strikes, but Boston hitters made him pay when he got too much of the plate. Gray now has a 3.16 ERA, 1.14 WHIP and 35:14 K:BB in 37 innings over six starts since coming to the Bronx from Oakland and has helped keep the Yankees firmly in the playoff chase. He'll next take the mound Wednesday in Baltimore.

Gausman gave up five hits and a walk while striking out eight over six scoreless innings Friday but didn't factor into the decision in an extra-inning win over the Blue Jays.

The game's lone run didn't cross the plate until the 13th inning, as Joe Biagini matched Gausman goose egg for goose egg before the two right-handers turned things over to their bullpens. The 26-year-old continues his dominance over Toronto -- in five starts against his division rivals this season, he's got a 1.57 ERA and 24:10 K:BB in 28.2 innings -- and his current 4.79 ERA is the lowest it's been since mid-April. He'll look to continue his second-half surge in a tough matchup next Friday in Cleveland.

Hamels tossed five innings Friday against the Angels, allowing four runs on five hits and three walks while striking out five. He did not factor into the decision.

For the second start in a row, the southpaw was unable to get much going on the mound. He needed 101 pitches to complete five frames, and just 59 of those went for strikes. After a stellar start to the month of August, the 33-year-old has fallen off. He's given up 10 runs over his past two starts, raising his ERA 50 points to a 3.92 mark, notably higher than his 3.34 career mark. Hamels still holds a solid 1.17 WHIP to go with a 9-2 record, but a low strikeout rate and an abnormally low BABIP suggest that his recent hiccups aren't just a blip on the radar. He'll look to right the ship in his next scheduled start Wednesday in Atlanta.

Hammel (7-10) allowed four runs on seven hits with three strikeouts over 6.1 innings, enough to earn the win Friday night against the Twins.

Hammel's consistency is both enviable and lamentable -- he has now given up either three or four runs in nine of his past 11 starts. Despite a brilliant 46:12 K:BB, Hammel's mistakes have simply been too punishable. He served up another home run Friday night, giving him 11 allowed over that 11-start stretch. Despite his excellent control, Hammel has just a 4.80 ERA on the season thanks to that home run problem.

Blackburn (wrist) has a deep bone bruise and will likely be shut down for the season, Joe Stiglich of NBC Sports Bay Area reports.

The severity of the bruise will require Blackburn to be in a splint for a week. That time combined with the necessity of bullpen sessions and potentially a rehab assignment means that a return is extremely unlikely with just a month to go. The Athletics have no reason to rush him back, so consider Blackburn's season over.

Gonzales will be pushed out of the rotation for at least one turn, Bob Dutton of the Tacoma News Tribune reports Friday.

The Mariners need to make room for new acquisition Mike Leake in their rotation. As the owner of a 7.40 ERA and a 1.98 WHIP over five starts for the Mariners, Gonzales was the easy choice. Manager Scott Servais suggested there was a chance that Gonzales could return to the rotation, but given his struggles this season, it would be a surprise.