MLB Player News

Nick Tepesch, and not Berrios, is the favorite to start May 6 against Boston when the Twins next need a fifth starter, the Minneapolis Star Tribune reports. "Unless we get into a situation where we have to have him," said manager Paul Molitor.

Berrios would seemingly have little left to prove at Triple-A as he has a 1.09 ERA and 35:8 K:BB in 33 innings after dominating at Triple-A last season as well (2.51 ERA and 10.1 K/9). However, the Twins want him to continue to work on his fastball command in the minors. It's also not official that Berrios won't be called up as Tepesch could end up being used out of the bullpen in a crunch or the team could change its plans.

Sale (2-2) allowed two runs on three hits and two walks while striking out 11 over eight innings in Tuesday's 5-2 win over Baltimore.

Sale was dominant yet again, reaching double-digit strikeouts for a fifth straight stars. It was also the third outing in a row where he lasted eight innings. He also put himself squarely in the middle of the brewing rivalry with Baltimore when his first pitch to Manny Machado was a 97-mph fastball behind his knees. The left-hander's message-sending pitch set off warnings to both teams and some jawing back and forth. Through it all, Sale remained focused and delivered an ace-like performance.

Paxton (3-0) allowed two runs (one earned) on five hits and five walks while striking out six over 5.1 innings but didn't factor into the decision in Tuesday's extra-inning loss to the Angels.

It's just the second time in six starts that Paxton has been scored upon, and the second time he's walked more than one batter. The left-hander's 1.43 ERA, 0.98 WHIP and 45:11 K:BB through 37.2 innings remain excellent, and he'll look to get back in the win column Sunday at home against the Rangers.

Rodon (biceps) remains on a throwing program but manager Rick Renteria remains vague about the left-hander's progress, Daryl Van Schouwen of the Chicago Sun-Times reports.

In a question-and-answer exchange with reporters Tuesday, Renteria replied to three questions about Rodon with a variation of the same answer: "He continues to be on his throwing program, and he's doing well. He's progressing well." Rodon did not meet with the media when he was back in Chicago last week and has since returned to Arizona. The White Sox won't say if he's thrown off a mound. Once he's ready to take the mound, Rodon will need a few turns through a rotation to build up strength and innings. A best-case scenario has Rodon returning in early June.

Kluber (back) has been battling issues for a few starts and may land on the 10-day disabled list to fully recover, Jordan Bastian of MLB.com reports.

After Tuesday's start, one in which Kluber was removed early due to back tightness, manager Terry Francona noted that the team's ace has been dealing with the ailment for a while now. Furthermore, the skipper said Kluber would be re-evaluated Wednesday to determine if the right-hander would need to be placed on the DL. With the new 10-day rule, he'd only miss one start if he did in fact need just a short stint to heal.

Quintana (2-4) scattered four hits and two walks over eight scoreless innings Tuesday while striking out seven in a 6-0 win over the Royals.

The lefty is quickly burying his rough start to the year, reeling off three straight quality starts with a 1.80 ERA and 23:7 K:BB in 20 innings over that stretch. Quintana will get a tough test in his next trip to the mound Sunday in Baltimore, however.

Gray (0-1) allowed four runs on five hits and two walks while striking out four over six innings in Tuesday's 9-1 loss to the Twins.

While there were some positive aspects to Gray's first outing of the season, including a fastball that topped out at 96.1 mph in the third inning, three of Minnesota's five hits off him left the yard and by the end of the right-hander's start his velocity was noticeably flagging. Gray will look to build on those positives in his next trip to the mound Monday at home against the Angels.

Verlander (2-2) allowed two runs on four hits and four walks across seven innings during Tuesday's win over the Indians. He struck out five.

Verlander loaded the bases and yielded a run on a wild pitch in the first, but he settled down and cruised through six more frames, allowing one more run in the sixth. He threw 118 pitches and induced 14 flyouts, which is a bit extreme, but he was able to keep them all in the yard. Verlander has now delivered back-to-back quality starts after two ugly outings in mid-April and will look to improve on his 4.21 ERA in Sunday's start against the Athletics.

Kluber exited Tuesday's game against the Tigers early with lower back discomfort, Jordan Bastian of MLB.com reports.

Kluber was getting bludgeoned by Tigers hitters prior to his early departure Tuesday. Through three innings, the Indians' ace had allowed five earned runs on seven hits, one walk and four strikeouts. Kluber was plagued by back discomfort earlier this season, so it's possible that a trip to the DL is coming in order to give the 31-year-old ample time to heal. Through six starts, Kluber's ERA is now sitting at 5.06. He'll be listed as day-to-day until a more official injury diagnosis emerges.

Hamels was scratched from Tuesday's start against the Astros due to tightness in his oblique, Evan Grant of the Dallas Morning News reports.

It's unclear if the oblique tightness flared up during warmups or if this is something that has been bothering Hamels in the past. Either way, the starter will not pitch Tuesday against the Astros in a very last-minute scratch. Alex Claudio will take the mound for his first major-league start in Hamels' absence. More news on the injury should become available in the near future.