MLB Player News

Gray (back) could face a limit of roughly 80 pitches in Sunday's start against the Astros, Joe Stiglich of CSN California reports.

Gray was scheduled to throw about 80 pitches with High-A Stockton had the A's elected to keep him on a rehab assignment, but with the team deciding to activate him from the DL for Sunday's contest, they'll opt to use the right-hander judiciously in his first game back. Since Gray had been struggling prior to the DL and likely won't go much longer than five or six innings, he doesn't make for an appealing DFS target for the Sunday slate.

Gray (back) was activated from the 15-day DL on Sunday.

As anticipated, Gray is in line to take the hill for Sunday's series finale with the Astros after missing the last two weeks with a strained right trapezius. The 26-year-old has been horrendous this season, delivering a 6.19 ERA and 1.64 WHIP over 48 innings, so it'll be tough to rely on him as a DFS option Sunday, even with the strikeout-prone Astros awaiting him.

Stroman (5-2) gave up nine hits, six earned runs and five walks over 5.2 innings in Saturday's 6-4 loss to the Red Sox. He struck out four.

The 25-year-old saw the Red Sox get the better of him for the second time in a week, during which surrendered a total of 13 earned runs in 11 innings. Control was a considerable problem for Stroman on Saturday, as the five free passes he issued were a season high. The few bright spots that the right-hander could take from the appearance would include the fact that he didn't surrender any homers after giving up a pair last Saturday, and that he induced 11 swinging strikes. However, his ERA has ballooned almost a full run to 4.82 after his two meetings with Boston, and he's now lost two of his last three decisions. He'll try his luck against the Orioles on Thursday.

Sale (9-2) allowed four runs on nine hits over 6.1 innings during Saturday's 7-4 loss to the Tigers. He also struck out just two and walked two in defeat.

After winning his first nine outings, Sale has two losses and a no-decision in his last three starts. Over those three outings, he has a 6.48 ERA, which has caused his season ERA to rise from 1.58 to 2.54. But what was really strange about Saturday's outing was Sale's lack of strikeouts. He only had five swing-and-misses, which helped lead to a season-low two punchouts. He will look to get back on track Friday against the Royals.

Perez improved his record to 4-4 Saturday versus the Mariners, allowing three runs with one strikeout and one walk across six innings.

The left-hander allowed nine hits Saturday, but just two went for extra bases and some timely pitching caused Seattle to leave nine men on base. Perez did set a season-low with just one punchout, but he turned in his seventh quality start in 10 tries and won his third straight at home. He has developed into a solid middle-of-the-rotation pitcher for the Rangers and will look to keep it rolling Thursday versus the Astros.

Meyer (shoulder) was placed on the 7-day disabled list Saturday, Mike Berardino of the Pioneer Press reports. "He's not doing too much, which is of concern," said Twins general manager Terry Ryan.

Meyer will seek a second opinion on his pitching shoulder, but the fact remains that he'll be on the shelf for at least another week due to shoulder inflammation. The hope is that Meyer's second opinion will shed some light on when he could be expected to return. He has not pitched since May 3, when he allowed three runs over 2.2 innings against Houston.

The A's are targeting next weekend's series against the Reds as a potential return date for Hill (groin), Joe Stiglich of CSN California reports.

Hill's turn in the rotation was skipped this weekend as Kendall Graveman was tabbed as Saturday's starter and Sonny Gray was announced as the starter for the series finale. However, the hope is that Hill's groin injury will only cost him one start. The A's are targeting next weekend's interleague series against the Reds as the return date for Hill, but the veteran lefty will likely need to test out his injury with a bullpen session before he's given the green light to rejoin the rotation.

Gray (back) is expected to be activated off the disabled list to start Sunday's game against Houston, Jane Lee of MLB.com reports.

The A's plan as of Friday was to have Gray make his scheduled rehab start at High-A Stockton on Sunday, but with Rich Hill (groin) officially having his turn in the rotation skipped, Oakland will activate Gray to start the series finale in Houston. Gray was placed on the disabled list on May 22 due to a strained right trapezius and hadn't looked like his usual self in his four starts leading up to landing on the DL, notching a 9.61 ERA in just 19.2 innings during that span. He'll have the tough task of facing an Astros lineup that has been heating up for his first start back Sunday.

Hill (groin) will not start Sunday against the Astros, Jane Lee of MLB.com reports.

Hill was scratched from his scheduled start Saturday, but manager Bob Melvin did allude to the possibility of the veteran lefty taking the mound for the series finale Sunday. However, the A's will be cautious with Hill and skip his turn in the rotation completely. Hill is set to rest Saturday and play catch Sunday before the club makes a decision on when he will start next. Sunday's starter for the A's is still undecided.

Darvish (2-0) struck out five and gave up six hits, three earned runs and a walk over 5.2 innings in Friday's 7-3 victory over the Mariners.

The 29-year-old right-hander had another encouraging outing and was able to last long enough to hit his previously determined 85-to-95-pitch limit. It's been relatively smooth sailing for the former All-Star in his comeback from his 2015 Tommy John surgery, as he's tallied 12 strikeouts over 10.2 innings while issuing only a pair of free passes. Darvish will take the next step in his return against the Astros next Wednesday.