MLB Player News

Athletics starting pitcher Sonny Gray was scratched from Thursday's start against the Blue Jays due to back spasms. Jesse Chavez stepped in to start in Gray's absence.

The All-Star Gray is 2-0 with a 1.13 ERA in his last four starts. He also has a .193 opponents' batting average in that span.

Chavez has not had a strong start to the second half. He is 2-2 with a 5.11 ERA through five starts after the All-Star break. Although, he did allowed one run in seven innings in a win in his last start against the Astros.

Angels pitcher Andrew Heaney was one out away from recording another quality start during Wednesday's 3-2 loss to the White Sox.

Heaney allowed two runs on six hits over 5 2/3 innings of work. He also struck out four and walked one. His ERA now stands at 2.53.

After earning a quality start in his first six trips to the mound, Heaney has not produced a quality start in his last three outings.

Rays starter Jake Odorizzi had his worst start in a month, giving up six runs in six innings of work Wednesday in a no-decision against the Braves. 

Odorizzi labored through 105 pitches, allowing nine hits and the most runs since he allowed six against the Blue Jays on July 17. He struck out six hitters and walked one to wind up with his third straight no-decision. 

Over his last 10 starts, Odorizzi (6-6) has seen his ERA rise from 2.31 to 3.09. 

Rays starter Drew Smyly, who recently completed his fourth rehab start in his recovery from a torn left labrum, will join the team to be evaluated with a look to a return to the rotation, per MLB.com. 

Smyly will throw a bullpen session Friday, and if all goes well, he could return to the Rays' rotation on the team's road trip. 

"I feel good," Smyly said. "With every rehab start I feel stronger and stronger. I continue to be extremely encouraged by my days in between starts. ... I feel ready to go."

Smyly made just three starts before going on the DL. 

Red Sox pitcher Eduardo Rodriguez produced a dismal performance during Wednesday's 14-6 loss to the Marlins.

Rodriguez allowed eight runs on nine hits over five innings of work. He also struck out two and walked one. He gave up a solo home run to Dee Gordon in the first inning.

Rodriguez is now 6-5 with a 4.83 ERA. He is winless in his last three starts, but has two quality starts in his last four outings.

Despite producing a quality start Wednesday at Seattle, Orioles pitcher Kevin Gausman was on the losing end of the 3-0 loss.

Gausman allowed three runs on six hits over seven innings of work, but received his fourth loss of the season. He also struck out eight and walked two.

He is now 2-4 with a 4.48 ERA. Gausman has lost his last two outings, but has produced quality starts in three of his last four starts.

Rays pitcher Drew Smyly is progressing from his shoulder injury and could rejoin the team as soon as Sunday, reports RosterResource.com.

The shoulder injury has kept Smyly out since early May. He is currently on a rehab assignment at Triple-A.

Mariners young right-hander Taijuan Walker overcame a rocky start to put up a quality performance on Tuesday against the Orioles. Walker allowed two runs on five hits over six innings. He walked one and struck out six. 

Both runs Walker allowed came in a 33-pitch first inning. But he settled in after that, and the Mariners put up four runs in their half of the first to claim the lead.

The Mariners' bullpen would cough up the lead however, leaving Walker with a no decision in the 6-5 victory.

After going through a rough stretch in early July, Walker has been much better lately, going 1-0 with a 2.86 ERA over his past four starts.

Indians starter Carlos Carrasco was sharp in his outing against the Yankees on Tuesday. The right-hander allowed two runs on four hits over eight solid innings. He struck out eight and did not walk a batter. He was left with a no-decision however, as the Indians won the game 5-4 in 16 innings.

Carrasco's only mistakes were a pair of solo home runs to Stephen Drew and Carlos Beltran. He held a 2-1 lead until Beltran took him deep in the eighth inning to tie the game. 

Carrasco has been mighty good over his past three outings, allowing a total of three earned runs over 26 innings pitched. He also has a 22:2 K:BB ratio in that time.

Yankees rookie starter Luis Severino was solid once again in his second big-league start on Tuesday. Severino allowed two runs on seven hits over six innings. He walked one and struck out two. He was given a no decision, as the Indians won the game 5-4 in 16 innings.

Severino gave up single runs in the first two innings, but really settled in nicely after that, giving his team a chance to get back in the game.

The young hurler has now allowed three earned runs over the first two starts of his career. He has looked rather impressive, showing the poise of a seasoned veteran at times.