MLB Player News

Darvish (shoulder) threw 32 pitches in the bullpen Thursday and he's expected to make a second rehab start over the weekend at Double-A Frisco, T.R, Sullivan of MLB.com reports.

Darvish is expected to need an additional rehab start following his upcoming effort this weekend, and the struggling Texas rotation will be welcoming him back with open arms. A return during the abbreviated week following the All-Star game seems unlikely but a return shortly thereafter seems a given.

Verlander (8-6) pitched 5.2 innings, allowing two runs, six hits and four walks while striking out five in Thursday's no-decision against the Blue Jays.

After a nine-game stretch in which the righty pitched into the seventh inning each start, Verlander has now failed to make it past the sixth for the second time in three starts. The main factor for Thursday's sixth-inning exit was his lack of control. Verlander threw just 65 of his 103 pitches for strikes, while setting a season high for walks. He'll hit the break sporting a 4.07 ERA, 1.13 WHIP and 120:33 K:BB.

Snell (1-4) tossed six quality innings, but took the loss Thursday against the Angels. He allowed two runs, four hits and two walks while striking out a career-high seven.

Snell held the Angels scoreless through the first five frames, but he allowed two runs to score in the sixth on a single by Albert Pujols. He threw a first-pitch strike to the first 12 batters he faced and had his highest strike percentage of the season (64 percent). The southpaw also induced 13 swings and misses, way up from the 5.9 average he posted through his first five starts. Snell looked more like the No. 1 prospect Thursday than in any of his previous starts, and he's worthy of a roster spot in most formats, especially dynasty leagues.

Clevinger was optioned to Triple-A Columbus on Thursday.

With the call-ups of Austin Adams and Joseph Colon on Thursday, Clevinger was sent down to Triple-A to make room on the Indians' roster. Clevinger has made one appearance during his most recent stay in the majors, tossing two scoreless innings against Detroit on July 5. The 25-year-old will now resume a 2.70 ERA and 1.19 WHIP over 70 innings pitched for Triple-A Columbus.

Cobb (elbow) allowed three earned runs on two hits and two walks in two-thirds of an inning for High-A Charlotte on Wednesday, his first minor league rehab start since Tommy John surgery.

The 28-year-old faced a total of six batters and threw 21 pitches overall, eight of which went for strikes. Cobb was a bit wild early, handing out both of his free passes within the first three batters. After recording two outs, he then allowed an RBI single and a double to close out the outing. The most pertinent aspect of the appearance was that Cobb reported feeling good afterwards, a considerably important development considering the nature of the injury he is recovering from.

Kopech (calf) will return to start Thursday's game at High-A Salem, the Boston Globe's Alex Speier reports.

He missed the last three weeks with a calf injury, but will make his second minor league start of the year Thursday. Kopech remains one of the Red Sox's top pitching prospects, and could really do with a run of good luck here after missing time this season with a various injuries (one self-inflicted) in addition to 50 games at the end of last season due to a PED suspension.

Jorge was promoted to Double-A Chattanooga, the St. Paul Pioneer Press reports. He was 9-3 with a 1.55 ERA and 77:11 K:BB in 93 innings at High-A Fort Myers.

The 22-year old has improved each of the last two seasons and has emerged as solid prospect with outstanding control (1.1 BB/9). He has just a 7.5 K/9, however, and he may need more strikeouts to thrive at higher levels.

Bundy threw 2.1 scoreless innings, allowing three hits and two walks with seven strikeouts against the Dodgers on Wednesday.

Bundy has now gone 14.1 consecutive scoreless innings in six appearances since June 4. He seemed to struggle with frequent use in short stints in April and May, so the Orioles may be trying to give Bundy three or four days off at a time. It had been six days since Bundy last pitched when he took the mound Wednesday. The seven strikeouts are a career high -- by three -- as Bundy struck out all seven of his outs. Unfortunately, the three balls in play all went for hits as he has struggled with a .371 BABIP. More importantly, Bundy has been healthy all season and the Orioles still seem to see him as a starter in the long term. Bundy has responded successfully to these long relief outings that seem to give him a schedule similar to that of a starter. It is unlikely the Orioles move Bundy to the rotation this year, but it seems very much in the cards for 2017.

Smyly (2-10) allowed seven runs, four of which were earned, on eight hits and three walks over four innings to take the loss Wednesday against the Angels.

After pitching two scoreless innings, Smyly gave up four runs in the third inning, and things continued to go downhill from there, leading to his 10th loss of the year. He's now allowed at least four earned runs in seven of his last eight starts, and his ERA is up to 5.47. His next start will be after the All-Star break.

Perez (7-5) allowed 11 runs, seven of which were earned, on nine hits and two walks while striking out one over four innings to take the loss Wednesday at the Red Sox.

After giving up a pair of runs in the first inning, Perez then gave up five more in the second inning, and the Rangers were on their way to a loss. This was the first time he's allowed more than four earned runs in a start over his last 14 outings, and he now has a 3.85 ERA to go along with a 1.42 WHIP. His next start will be after the All-Star break.