MLB Player News

Perez gave up four runs on seven hits and two walks while striking out five in 5.1 innings Saturday against the Mariners.

Despite the shaky outing, he was able to pick up the win and improve to 3-6 on the season, as Yovani Gallardo was even less effective for Seattle. The 26-year-old southpaw now sports a 4.72 ERA and 1.64 WHIP through 14 starts, and his 16.8 percent strikeout rate ranks 67th among 84 qualified big-league starters. Despite Perez's struggles and the impending return of Cole Hamels (oblique) to the rotation, the Rangers still lack enough quality options for his rotation spot to be in jeopardy.

Miley (3-4) allowed six runs -- five earned -- on six hits and four walks while striking out eight batters through 5.2 innings during Saturday's win over St. Louis.

Miley certainly wasn't sharp, but Baltimore scored nine runs through the first two innings of the game, so the southpaw was able to put it in cruise control and collect his third win of the year. His 4.29 ERA and 1.61 WHIP aren't moving the fantasy needle, but he could prove to be a valuable contributor in the wins and strikeouts columns going forward. Miley sports an 8.3 K/9 for the year and has potential as a streaming option or low-priced flier in daily contests. A difficult home date against Cleveland is next on tap for Miley.

McCullers (back) threw Saturday for the first time since landing on the disabled list, Jake Kaplan of the Houston Chronicle reports.

Everything apparently went well, and McCullers is scheduled to throw a bullpen session in the coming days before the Astros determine when he'll return to the rotation. If all goes well, the Astros are hoping the 23-year-old will be able to rejoin the big club at some point during their upcoming seven-game road trip.

Bridwell was recalled from Triple-A Salt Lake on Saturday and is an option to start Tuesday against the Yankees, Jeff Fletcher of The Orange County Register reports.

With Matt Shoemaker (forearm) heading to the disabled list, Bridwell was brought back to the big club as his potential replacement in the rotation. Bridwell notched a quality start earlier in the season in place of Alex Meyer, so he seems to be a safe bet to fill in for Shoemaker for as long as he is sidelined.

Morton (latissimus) is tentatively scheduled to begin a rehab assignment with Triple-A Fresno on Thursday, Jake Kaplan of the Houston Chronicle reports.

This is good news for the Astros -- who are also without Dallas Keuchel (neck), Lance McCullers (back), and Colin McHugh (elbow) -- as it appears Morton is inching closer to a return to the big club. He was able to resume mound work earlier in the week, and will work towards a more extensive bullpen before hopefully setting out on a rehab assignment next week. Seeing as Morton has been sidelined all month, he will likely need a couple rehab starts before he rejoins the Astros.

Stroman (7-3) took the loss Saturday against the White Sox despite allowing just three earned runs over seven innings. He struck out five batters and issued just one walk, but he gave up three solo home runs.

It was an uncharacteristic outing for Stroman as Saturday marked the third time in 14 starts that he's allowed multiple long balls. He was relatively effective otherwise, hitting the five-strikeout mark for the sixth time in seven outings. Stroman will have a tough test next time out as he'll get the nod Thursday in Texas.

Manager Bob Melvin said Bassitt (elbow) could wind up in the bullpen once he returns from the disabled list, John Hickey of the East Bay Times reports.

The Athletics are uncertain if Bassitt will be able to effectively return as a starter in 2017, so they are contemplating a temporary shift to the bullpen for the 28-year-old. Bassitt has experienced multiple setbacks while recovering from the Tommy John surgery that he underwent last season, so the A's are looking to proceed cautiously with him. While speaking of Bassitt's possible switch to the bullpen, Melvin didn't rule out a return to the starting rotation following the season.

Hamels (oblique) made a rehab start for Double-A Frisco on Friday, covering three scoreless innings and giving up one hit and no walks while striking out three.

Hamels, who was making his first start since April 26 after being sidelined with a right oblique strain, needed only 35 pitches to navigate through the three frames. The Rangers initially planned to let the left-hander toss 55-60 pitches during the outing, but since he worked through the three innings more efficiently than expected, he tossed some more pitches in the bullpen once he was removed from the contest. Hamels' velocity topped out at 93 mph, but the Rangers are optimistic that he'll be able to pick up a few ticks as he builds up his endurance. He's expected to cover five or six innings in his second rehab start next Wednesday, and will likely require one more start after that before the Rangers bring him off the disabled list.

Groome (back) has been named the Opening Day starter for Short-Season Lowell on Monday, Rich Thompson of the Boston Herald reports.

Groome, Boston's 2016 first-round draft pick (12th overall), will get a 2017 debut do-over after he suffered a strained latissimus muscle during his debut for Low-A Greenville in April. He said the back is fine, and that he's ready to get back into game action. The 6-foot-6 left-hander has a repertoire consisting of a fastball, curveball and changeup, although the change remains a work in progress.

Severino did not factor into the decision Friday against the A's, allowing four runs over six innings. He struck out six and walked four.

One start after coasting against the Orioles, Severino had to battle during this one, needing 109 pitches to get through the sixth. Still, the 21-year-old has a 2.99 ERA this season and has allowed just nine runs over his last 39.1 innings (2.06 ERA).