MLB Player News

Rodriguez (hamstring) did not experience any issues during a bullpen session Thursday and is ready to start Sunday if needed, Michael Silverman of the Boston Herald reports.

Rodriguez was scratched from his scheduled start Sunday due to his sore hamstring, but he has not encountered any setbacks this week, and Thursday's session was the final hurdle he needed to clear before being ready to rejoin Boston's rotation. The team has not confirmed its rotation for the weekend, but Rodriguez is likely to get the ball Sunday, which would push Clay Buchholz back into a bullpen role.

Boyd (5-2) gave up three runs on five hits and a walk over six innings Wednesday, striking out seven Twins in a 9-4 win.

He gave up a couple more homers, continuing what's been a perpetual issue on that front -- Boyd now owns an awful 1.57 HR/9. That's far better than last year's nightmarish 2.67 mark, but it leaves Boyd on the low end for fantasy purposes. His moderate strikeout rate and long-ball-friendly tendencies have made him a dicey play on a start-to-start basis. On the bright side, though, Boyd has delivered three consecutive quality outings, giving up just four runs on 12 hits in 19 innings over that span, which notably includes starts against the Red Sox and Rangers, two strong offenses.

Darvish threw six innings Wednesday, surrendering five runs (three earned) on four hits and five walks, taking the no-decision against the Reds. He struck out five.

Darvish struggled with his command Wednesday, throwing just 56 of 100 pitches for strikes and walking five. The lack of command was uncharacteristic for Darvish, who had walked just four hitters in his previous six starts combined, a period in which he struck out 48. Yet despite throwing so many balls, Darvish managed to escape with a respectable three earned runs over six innings, keeping his ERA at 2.91 over 11 starts on the season. Although it doesn't count in most leagues, Darvish also hit his first major league home run, the first by a Rangers' pitcher since 1997. He'll next take the mound against the Mariners on Monday.

Miley (8-10) allowed two runs over five innings in Wednesday's win against the Nationals. He allowed seven hits and one walk while striking out six.

Wednesday marked Miley's best outing since debuting with the team in early August, and he was rewarded with his first victory as a member of the Orioles. Unfortunately, the performance can't hide the overall numbers posted by the 29-year-old in recent weeks. Over his last five starts, Miley owns a despicable 8.18 ERA and 2.23 WHIP in 22 innings. Winning two in a row will be a tough task for the righty, as his next start Monday will be against a dangerous Blue Jays lineup.

Gray (forearm) might begin throwing in the next week, Susan Slusser of the San Francisco Chronicle reports.

Manager Bob Melvin reported that Gray was feeling much better, so it sounds as though the 26-year-old remains on track to return before the end of the season. Once he's able to throw again and feels comfortable with his progress, Gray may need to go out on a brief rehab assignment, at which point a clearer timetable for rejoining the major league rotation should become available.

Alvarez (shoulder) is expected to pitch an inning in the Arizona Rookie League on Saturday, Susan Slusser of the San Francisco Chronicle reports.

Alvarez has missed the entire 2016 season thus far after suffering multiple setbacks in his recovery from a shoulder injury, but it appears he's finally ready to return to game action. The A's will likely play it very cautiously with the 26-year-old and work him back slowly through a rehab stint, but it remains a possibility that Alvarez will not make it back to major league action at all until the start of the 2017 season.

Gibson (5-8) allowed five runs, seven hits and four walks over five innings Tuesday against the Tigers. He struck out four in the loss.

Gibson followed up his complete-game victory with a dud Tuesday. The four free passes fell one short of his season high set back on April 6 in his first start of the season. The 28-year-old has been less than impressive during his 2016 campaign, but Gibson has been at his worst lately. His 6.59 ERA and five homers allowed through five August starts are his worst marks for any month this year. Gibson's next start, Sunday versus a dangerous Blue Jays lineup, won't make life any easier for the right-hander.

Cobb (elbow) is likely to make one more rehab start for Triple-A Durham, following a rough outing against Norfolk on Monday in which he gave up five earned runs on nine hits and two walks over four innings, Marc Topkin of the Tampa Bay Times reports.

It was another down cycle in the rollercoaster ride that has been Cobb's rehab appearances. He'd looked strong over four innings against Columbus on Aug. 16, but couldn't consistently get hitters out Monday over his 81 pitches. As a result, it's likely the Rays opt to give him one more opportunity to tune up before entering the major league rotation.

Rodriguez (hamstring), who threw a 59-pitch simulated game Tuesday, will throw a bullpen session Thursday, Peter Abraham of the Boston Globe reports.

Rodriguez came out of Tuesday's sim game with no pain, buoying his confidence in the hamstring, but the Red Sox will wait until seeing Thursday's session before determining when the left-hander will return to the rotation. Based on the scheudule Rodriguez is on, his return could come Sunday against Kansas City at Fenway Park.

Walker (4-8) allowed four runs (three earned) on six hits and three walks with five strikeouts over 5.2 innings in a loss Tuesday to the Yankees.

Walker was shaky but wasn't helped by his defense, as an error by Kyle Seager extended the second inning by three hitters. He induced 11 swinging strikes in 101 pitches but struggled to keep the ball on the ground (three groundouts versus nine flyouts). Despite his flaws, the Mariners will be hard pressed to find a better option than Walker given their current injuries in the starting rotation.