MLB Player News

Rays starting pitcher Jake Odorizzi (oblique) is expected to rejoin the rotation Saturday against the Astros after making his last rehab start Monday with Class A Charlotte, according to The Tampa Tribune. 

Odorizzi is expected to replace Alex Colome in the rotation. With no options left on his contract, Colome will be moved to the bullpen.

“It’s tough to change things when it’s working really well, and those guys have pitched well,” Rays manager Kevin Cash said. “But Jake Odorizzi, we need him in this rotation.”

Astros starting pitcher Lance McCullers tossed five innings in a no-decision against the Red Sox on Sunday.

McCullers allowed one run on seven hits. His command was a bit spotty as he allowed three walks.

McCullers (4-2) has a 1.50 ERA over his last three starts.

Red Sox starting pitcher Eduardo Rodriguez pitched well during Sunday's outing against the Astros.

Rodriguez allowed one earned run on six hits in five innings of work. He picked up a no-decision, but was impressive as he struck out eight batters and allowed just two walks. Rodriguez was only in trouble in the fourth inning when he allowed two hits, a walk and a run.

Rodriguez has impressed during his rookie campaing. He has a 3.69 ERA in 46 1/3 innings this season.

White Sox starter Carlos Rodon had another shaky outing Sunday and paid for it with a loss as the Orioles prevailed 9-1. 

Rodon struggled with his pitch count for most of the outing, and wound up making it through just five innings after hitting 102 pitches. He gave up four runs, three earned, on just four hits, but he walked four batters while striking out seven. 

Over his last four starts, the youngster has given up 17 runs in 19 2/3 innings -- more than half of the 31 runs he's allowed in 13 appearances. 

Justin Verlander was pitching effectively for the Tigers until the fifth inning, when the Blue Jays figured out the righty and rocked him for a six-run frame in Detroit's 10-5 loss. 

Verlander would finish his five innings of work with an unsightly line of seven earned runs on seven hits, including allowing back-to-back home runs. He struck out five and walked two while throwing 98 pitches. 

In two of his four outings since returning from the disabled list, Verlander (0-2) has been rocked for 13 runs and 17 hits, both losses. In the other two outings, both no-decisions, he has given up four runs on nine hits. 

Athletics starter Sonny Gray, who has not pitched since June 25 while dealing with a nasty bout of salmonella poisoning, will return to the rotation Tuesday and make a start against the Yankees. 

The announcement likely means that Gray would not pitch in the All-Star game, since his next start would be July 12, the last game before the break. 

Gray is 9-3 with a 2.09 ERA so far this season. He has allowed just 81 hits in 107 2/3 innings pitched with 97 strikeouts.

Red Sox pitcher Justin Masterson will be used out of the bullpen through the All-Star break, reports WEEI.com.

Masterson is 3-2 with a 6.14 ERA on the season. He allowed five runs in 3 2/3 innings in his last start.

The Red Sox shuffled their starting rotation and will start pitcher Wade Miley on Tuesday against the Marlins, reports WEEI.com. Miley has won four of his last six starts.

With Miley starting Tuesday, the Red Sox will start Rick Porcello on Wednesday. Porcello is winless in his last eight starts (0-7). 

Left-hander Vidal Nuno has been optioned to Triple-A Tacoma by the Mariners, following their 9-5 win over the A's on Friday. Nuno has a 2.53 ERA in nine appearances since being acquired by the Mariners in early June. 

Red Sox starter Justin Masterson was knocked out of the box by Houston after 3 2/3 innings, but he escaped with a no-decision as Boston batters rallied later in the game. 

Masterson gave up five runs on eight hits, his second early knockout in three starts. He gave up six runs in 2 1/3 on May 12 and has a 9.00 ERA in his last three starts.