MLB Player News

Paxton (elbow) will likely slot back into the Mariners' rotation later this week, MLB.com's Greg Johns reports.

Paxton threw just three innings in a rehab outing with Triple-A Tacoma on Saturday, but he did not run into any trouble and escaped the game without a setback, so it seems likely his next outing will come with the big club later this week. The Mariners' rotation this week is in flux, so it remains to be seen where exactly Paxton will jump in.

Alvarez (shoulder) threw a successful bullpen session Saturday, MLB.com's Jane Lee reports.

Alvarez was able to mix some changeups into his usual repertoire of fastballs, tossing a total of 25 pitches in the effort. Although his progress is encouraging, the Athletics have yet to decide whether they plan to utilize him in the majors in 2016.

Odorizzi gave up just an earned run on six hits and a walk over six innings in Saturday's 8-2 victory over the Rangers. He struck out four.

The right-hander fired 65 of his 101 pitches for strikes, with his only mistake being the 385-foot solo shot he yielded to Roughned Odor in the fourth. Odorizzi has been solid over his last seven starts, with three consecutive scoreless outings during one stretch over that span, as well as six quality starts overall. He's rattled off five straight victories and will look to extend that streak against the Red Sox next Thursday.

Mejia was optioned to Triple-A Rochester on Sunday, Rhett Bollinger of MLB.com reports.

Mejia had been called up by the Twins on Saturday, but is already headed back down to Rochester. During his MLB debut, Mejia allowed two runs off five hits and a walk over the course of just 2.1 innings. Mejia's performance with rochester has also been underwhelming, as he's 1-2 with a 4.66 ERA after three starts.

Rodriguez, who was scratched Sunday with a hamstring injury, is optimistic he will make his next start, Jason Mastrodonato of the Boston Herald reports.

Rodriguez worked in a session of long toss on the field before Sunday's game, and reported afterwards that he was feeling good. It sounds like his removal Sunday was just precautionary, and the team expects the hamstring tightness to subside prior to next week. If he stays on his regular schedule, that start would come Friday against the Royals.

Bridwell was recalled from Triple-A Norfolk on Sunday.

Bridwell missed time with a broken rib earlier in the season, and has ended up pitching at four different organizational levels as a result. He made just one appearance for Norfolk before getting the call to the bigs, where the 25-year-old right-hander is expected to serve in long relief.

Rodriguez (hamstring) will not make his start Sunday after telling Red Sox management he's fearful of further injuring his left hamstring if he pitches, Peter Abraham of the Boston Globe reports. "It's getting better, but four days was just too short to go into the game. I feel it's still a little bit tight," Rodriguez said. "I don't want to get in the game tomorrow and do something wrong or not focus on throwing strikes." Henry Owens will be called up from Triple-A Pawtucket to fill in.

Pulling Rodriguez from the start is the right move. If there's anything we learned about the left-hander as he attempted to return from his knee injury earlier this season, it's that he needs to be fully confident in the injured part of his body. Otherwise, he doesn't make his pitches with conviction and less-than-desirable results ensue. Manager John Farrell said Rodriguez is not headed to the disabled list, but when he pitches next has not been determined.

Despaigne was optioned to Triple-A Norfolk on Saturday.

Despaigne was recalled to Baltimore earlier in the day and pitched three innings (four runs, five hits, two walks) in a 12-2 loss to the Astros after starter Chris Tillman was bounced early. The O's have allowed 27 runs over the past two games and burned many relievers in the process, which is why Despaigne was called up in the first place. Having thrown 71 pitches Saturday, he will not be available for Baltimore on Sunday, so they will get another bullpen arm for the series finale Sunday.

Sale (15-6) allowed just three hits over eight scoreless innings Saturday against Oakland. He walked three and struck out eight in the win.

Saturday marked Sale's first victory since July 2, ending a six-game winless streak for the 27-year-old. Now in his seventh big league season, Sale sits just two wins away from his career high set back in 2012. Although the ace's overall strikeout rate for this season sits at a career low, the southpaw has been picking up the punchouts lately. Over his last 29.2 innings, Sale has whiffed 32 opposing hitters. His next start is Friday against Seattle. He held the Mariners to a single hit over eight scoreless innings last month, so Sale could be in line for another big fantasy night when he toes the rubber next.

Mejia was recalled from Triple-A Rochester on Saturday, the Star Tribune's LaVelle Neal reports.

Saturday was the southpaw's day to start at Triple-A, but he will apparently work out of the bullpen to start his big league career. Mejia, who the Twins acquired from San Francisco for Eduardo Nunez at the trade deadline, is one of the team's best pitching prospects, with the potential to be a No. 3 starter down the road. He could be pretty overpowering out of the bullpen in short bursts over the rest of the season, especially against lefties. He has thrown 125 innings this season after logging just 82.1 innings last year between the minors and the Arizona Fall League, so it is not surprising that the Twins are looking to manage his innings down the stretch.