MLB Player News

McCullers (back) threw another bullpen session Thursday, Brian McTaggart of MLB.com reports.

McCullers continues to trend in the right direction, as he's now completed his second bullpen session since landing on the disabled list at the end of July. He should progress to facing live hitters soon, and if all goes well, he'll likely head out on a minor-league rehab assignment shortly thereafter. Barring any setbacks, it's looking like he could rejoin the big-league rotation near the beginning of September, though a clearer timetable should become available once his rehab assignment is set.

Rodon allowed two runs on five hits and four walks while striking out four through 7.1 innings against the Dodgers on Wednesday. He didn't factor into the decision.

It was another tough-luck outcome for Rodon, who left his bullpen with a lead they were unable to hold onto. He has now tossed four straight quality starts, a stretch over which he has zero wins but owns a shiny 2.10 ERA and 28:9 K:BB across 29.2 innings. More impressively, all four outings have come against first place teams (Dodgers, Indians, Astros and Red Sox). Rodon will look to keep lowering his 4.00 ERA as he toes the rubber against the Twins in his next appearance.

Hamels (8-1) beat the Tigers on Wednesday despite surrendering four runs on eight hits with five walks and four strikeouts in six innings.

Hamels should buy his offense a Texas-sized steak dinner after this one, as the Rangers' bats erased two-run deficits in both the second and third innings before nudging ahead for good with a run in the fifth and pulling away with four in the sixth. Command was a major issue for Hamels, who walked a season-high five batters while also allowing multiple home runs in a game for just the second time in 15 starts. He excelled at damage control, though, using a timely pickoff to wriggle out of trouble after the Tigers had runners at first and third with one out in the third inning and later escaping unscathed after they loaded the bases with one out in the fifth. Hamels' next start is scheduled for Monday against an Angels team that he's limited to one run over 14.2 innings in two meetings this season.

Rodriguez allowed four runs on eight hits and a walk while striking out six batters through 5.1 innings during Wednesday's win over St. Louis. He didn't factor into the decision.

The young lefty appeared to be settling into a nice groove with just two runs allowed through 12 innings over his past two starts, so Wednesday's outing was a bit of a letdown. However, outside of an unlucky second frame, he kept the Cards off the scoreboard. Remember, Rodriguez posted an impressive 2.20 ERA and 9.7 K/9 during a seven-game stretch earlier this season, and he's flashed the upside to be a go-to asset in the past. Rodriguez lines up for a daunting road start against Cleveland next.

Morton (10-5) emerged victorious Wednesday against the Diamondbacks after allowing one run on three hits with four walks and nine strikeouts over 6.1 innings.

Morton rebounded after surrendering multiple earned runs in each of his three previous starts, easily navigating a tough Arizona lineup while tying a season-low in hits allowed. Getting nine runs of support from the league's top-ranked offense was also helpful, as that cushion prevented Arizona's four runs in the final two innings against the bullpen from having any impact on the outcome. Morton will look to build on this effort Tuesday against the Nationals.

Paxton (pectoral) will be re-examined by team physician Dr. Ed Khalfayan on Friday, Greg Johns of MLB.com reports.

Paxton was diagnosed with a left pectoral strain after exiting last Thursday's start and was initially evaluated by Khalfayan on Tuesday. Friday's check-up will determine if the left-hander is cleared to start playing catch this weekend. For his part, Paxton continues relaying that he's feeling increasingly better, remarking Wednesday that he's "real close to getting on the throwing program."

Cobb (toe) felt "very good" while throwing a bullpen session at Tropicana Field on Wednesday, Marc Topkin of the Tampa Bay Times reports.

The session consisted of approximately 40 pitches, so it was certainly long enough for Cobb to put his toe to the test. Manager Kevin Cash reported that the next step would be to see how the right-hander felt 24 hours later. The plan remains for Cobb to return to the rotation at some point next week.

Stroman (11-6) took down the Rays on Wednesday, allowing two runs on six hits and three walks over 6.1 innings while striking out seven.

The right-hander continues to give the Blue Jays consistent innings, lasting more than six frames in eight of his last nine starts while posting a 2.17 ERA, 1.37 WHIP and 44:24 K:BB in 54 innings. Stroman's benefited from eight unearned runs during that time, however, making his 2.99 ERA on the year somewhat deceptive heading into Tuesday's rematch with the Rays -- this time in Tampa.

Berrios will no longer start Thursday's game against the Indians. Instead, he is scheduled to make his next start Saturday against the Diamondbacks.

With Wednesday's game being postponed by rain, the Twins will reshuffle their rotation for the next week, pushing Berrios back to Saturday so Aaron Slegers, the presumed 26th man, can start Game 2 of Thursday's doubleheader. Berrios will took to turn around his recent string of bad outings (11 earned runs thru 8.1 innings) as he is afforded a few extra days of rest.

Clevinger will no longer start Thursday's game against the Twins, Jordan Bastian of MLB.com reports.

With Wednesday's game being rained out, the Indians will opt to use Clevinger out of the bullpen while Carlos Carrasco and Ryan Merritt start both games of the doubleheader. This will allow the Indians to keep their scheduled rotation over the weekend against Kansas City. Clevinger will likely slot back into the rotation Monday against the Red Sox.