MLB Player News

Smyly threw for the first time since spring training Wednesday, Shannon Drayer of 710 ESPN Seattle reports.

This marks an important step in Smyly's recovery from an elbow strain that has kept him sidelined all season. He's expected to need at least 3-to-4 weeks in a throwing program before he heads on a rehab assignment, so he's still got a ways to go. A firmer timetable for his return should start to materialize as he continues to progress in his recovery.

Rucinski will be recalled as the 26th man for Thrusday's doubleheader against the Rockies, Mike Berardino of the St. Paul Pioneer Press reports.

Rucinski will offer an extra bullpen arm for the doubleheader, though he'll likely head back to Triple-A afterwards. The 28-year-old saw a brief stint with the Twins earlier in May, allowing two runs and striking out five in his only appearance (3.1 innings).

McCullers (4-1) pitched six scoreless innings with just three hits and two walks allowed while striking out three batters during Wednesday's win over Miami.

The outing has McCullers' ERA down to 2.65, and he's now pitched three consecutive games -- 19 innings -- without allowing a single earned run. His 1.09 WHIP and 9.9 K/9 are also solid marks. With a potent offense providing run support, McCullers boasts rare cross-category potential, and he's quickly climbing the ranks with so many of his peers struggling and injured.

Cobb (4-3) allowed three runs on six hits and a walk while striking out seven batters over seven innings during Wednesday's win over Cleveland.

Cobb has now allowed three runs or fewer in each of his past five starts and improved to a 3.67 ERA and 1.24 WHIP for the campaign. Additionally, Wednesday's seven punchouts were his highest mark during that five-game stretch. He's currently sporting a career-low 6.1 K/9, so there is potential that he begins to strikeout more batters going forward. Cobb will look to continue his strong work on the mound against the Angels next week at Tropicana Field.

Mejia is a candidate to make a spot start Saturday against the Royals, Mike Berardino of the St. Paul Pioneer Press reports.

Mejia was pulled from his start with Triple-A Rochester on Tuesday after just 33 pitches, and manager Paul Molitor confirmed Wednesday that the reason for that was to keep him available to possibly start for the big club over the weekend. The 23-year-old owns a 3.48 ERA through 20.2 innings (four starts) with Rochester this season.

Ramirez tossed seven innings of two-run ball while striking out two against the White Sox on Tuesday, but he did not factor into the decision in an extra-inning win

Ramirez bounced back from a five-run outing last week, getting his ERA back under four on the season. The former reliever has performed well in a pinch for a banged up Angels rotation, but his strikeouts have regressed to 3.6 K/9 over his last three starts despite owning a 7.4 mark on the year. Even with his recent lack of punchouts, the 28-year-old has firmly placed himself on the map as a deep-league starter, with some streaming appeal in the right matchups for standard leagues.

Aiken picked up his first win of the season for Low-A Lake County on Tuesday, tossing five innings of two-run ball while scattering six hits and three walks.

It was arguably Aiken's second-best outing of the campaign, which speaks to the extent that he's struggled in his first taste of full-season ball. Through seven starts, Aiken has turned in a 4.50 ERA, 1.82 WHIP and 20:28 K:BB over 34 innings. The excessive walks are the biggest concern about Aiken's statistical profile, and may ultimately force him to move to the bullpen if he fails to rein in the free passes over his next couple seasons in the minors.

Boyd allowed seven earned runs on eight hits and two walks over 2.1 innings Tuesday. He struck out one in a no-decision.

It was a tough outing for the 26-year-old southpaw, who saw his ERA balloon to 5.18 on the season. Detroit's bats took him off the hook for what would have been his third consecutive loss. The lefty now owns an unimpressive 30:21 K:BB to go with a 1.61 WHIP, so it's best to keep your distance from Boyd unless the right matchup presents itself. He'll toe the rubber again Sunday at home against Texas.

Miley allowed four earned runs on eight hits and four walks through five innings in a win over Detroit on Tuesday. He struck out three and received a no-decision.

Much like last week's outing, Miley labored to get through five innings, throwing 109 pitches; the four walks didn't help matters. He now has 27 walks through just eight starts, a number which definitely isn't in line with his 3.02 ERA on the season. The strikeout stuff is where his real fantasy value has come into play this season (9.9 K/9), but he didn't have it Tuesday. He'll take the mound again on Sunday at home against Toronto.

Hammel (1-5) gave up five runs on nine hits and a walk over six innings in Tuesday's 7-1 loss to the Yankees. He failed to strike out a batter.

Both Gary Sanchez and Chris Carter took him deep as Hammel was charged with at least five runs for the third time in his last four starts. His 6.20 ERA on the season has been partially the result of bad luck, as both his .365 BABIP and 66.2 percent strand rate are due for some positive regression, but there's no hiding his 3.8 BB/9 (Hammel's worst since he became a full-time starter in 2009) or 1.3 HR/9. He'll make his next trip to the mound Sunday on the road against the Twins.