MLB Player News

Rodriguez (4-5) allowed five runs on 10 hits and two walks while striking out four batters through five innings during Thursday's loss to the Yankees.

Rodrgiuez has now surrendered 17 runs over 22.2 innings over his past four outings. He's now up to a 4.40 ERA and 1.30 WHIP for the campaign, and until he shows more consistency on the mound, it's difficult to turn to him outside of cushy matchups. The southpaw kick-started the year with a 2.77 ERA, 1.12 WHIP and 9.6 K/9 through his first nine outings, so the potential is there for deeper settings or daily contests. A date with the Blue Jays at Fenway Park is up next and it could prove to be a rebound spot for Rodriguez.

Meyer (shoulder) was transferred to the 60-day disabled list Thursday.

The Angels made the move in order to clear a spot for the recently acquired Fernando Salas. Meyer has begun a throwing program, but it remains unclear whether he'll be able to get back on the mound for the Angels before the end of the season.

Cease, 21, has a 4.29 ERA and 49:17 K:BB in 35.2 innings at Low-A Kannapolis since being traded to the White Sox.

Do not let the 0-7 record fool you; Cease has loads of potential, as evidenced by his standout strikeout rate. On the season, he has a 123:43 K:BB in just 87.1 innings. A few less walks would be nice, but Cease is still just scratching the surface of his potential. He is a serious breakout candidate for next season.

Mejia (biceps) will make a second rehab start with Triple-A Rochester on Monday, Mike Berardino of the Pioneer Press reports.

Mejia will throw around 50-to-60 pitches during this outing after lasting three innings during his initial rehab start Wednesday. During that contest, the southpaw fanned four opposing batters while allowing just two hits and a walk during three scoreless frames. It hasn't been determined whether Mejia will be able to return to the Twins following this outing, but it appears as though his stay on the disabled list will come to an end in the near future.

Clevinger will start one game of Friday's doubleheader with the Tigers after going unused out of the bullpen during the Indians' doubleheader Wednesday with the Yankees, Zack Meisel of The Athletic Cleveland reports.

Clevinger is listed as the Indians' probable starter for Game 2 of Friday's twin bill, matching up against Detroit's Buck Farmer. The 26-year-old right-hander carries a 3.86 ERA, 1.33 WHIP and 12.0 K/9 rate over five appearances in August.

Hamels will make his next start Friday against the Angels, Gerry Fraley of The Dallas Morning News reports.

Hamels could have pitched Thursday's series finale against the Astros on normal rest, but he'll instead be bumped back a day in the schedule after getting lit up for six runs and lasting just 4.1 innings his last time out Aug. 26 against the Athletics. Nick Martinez will move up in the rotation to pick up the Thursday start.

Bridwell gave up seven runs on six hits while walking three and striking out two over three innings Wednesday. He did not factor into the decision in a comeback win over the Athletics.

Bridwell cruised through the first three frames before imploding for seven runs in the fourth inning. The 26-year-old has pitched relatively well this season (3.52 ERA), but his lack of strikeout stuff (5.6 K/9) and inability to keep the ball in yard (1.4 HR/9) leave the rookie hurler prone to the occasional rough outing. Bridwell will get a chance to redeem himself against the Athletics next Tuesday.

McCullers (back) allowed two runs on five hits and a walk while striking out two over five innings during a rehabilitation start for Double-A Corpus Christi on Wednesday.

McCullers worked his pitch count up to 60 in what was his second rehab start, which was much better than his initial rehab outing when he walked five and lasted just three innings last Friday for Triple-A Fresno. Astros manager A.J. Hinch is hoping Wednesday's start will be McCullers' final one while out on rehab, but with only 60 pitches, we have to question whether he's ready to jump back into the Houston rotation and give the Astros any length.

Berrios threw seven scoreless innings and tied his career high with 11 strikeouts to improve to 12-6 in Wednesday's win over the White Sox. He allowed just four hits, a walk and a hit batsman.

Berrios bounced back impressively from his last start, a road loss to these same White Sox in a game that saw him give up five runs (three earned). He'd been scuffling a bit in general before this game, having turned in a a 6.10 ERA over a four-start span, but Berrios has been a far better pitcher at home this season -- he's now 8-1 with a 2.54 ERA at Target Field after once again taking advantage of starting in friendly territory.

Odorizzi (7-7) gave up three runs on four hits and three walks over five innings Wednesday, but that was enough for a win against the Royals. He struck out three.

Considering the recent struggles of the Royals' offense -- which was shut out for four consecutive games before scoring six runs against the Rays on Tuesday -- this has to be considered a disappointing outing for Odorizzi, who threw 84 pitches and didn't even record a quality start despite coming away victorious. On the bright side, all of Kansas City's runs came on one swing: a three-run homer by Whit Merrifield in the third inning. Times have been tough for Odorizzi lately, as he didn't even finish the fourth inning in either of his two prior starts. In fact, his last 10 outings have seen the righty give up 34 runs in 48 innings -- that's a 6.38 ERA and less than five innings per start, which isn't exactly the stuff of fantasy championships.