MLB Player News

Mariners starter James Paxton, who has been dealing with a strained tendon on his middle finger that landed him on the disabled list, still has not been cleared by doctors to begin throwing, per the Seattle Times. 

Paxton was placed on a two-week throwing shutdown on May 30 and now that the time is up, the pitcher still isn't ready to start the recovery process, delying his return to the Seattle rotation even more. 

Paxton is 3-3 with a 3.70 ERA in 10 starts this season. 

Twins starting pitcher Ricky Nolasco (ankle) threw 20 pitches in a bullpen session Thursday, according to the Pioneer Press. He will throw more pitches in another bullpen session Sunday before the team's reassess his status.

Rays manager Kevin Cash appears optimistic starting pitchers Jake Odorizzi (oblique) and Matt Moore (elbow) will be off the disabled list and in the starting rotation before the All-Star break, according to MLB Network Radio.

"I think we're optimistic that we could be seeing [Odorizzi] in early July, along with Matt Moore, some time before the break," Cash said Friday.

Red Sox starting pitcher Wade Miley couldn't find his command in his team's 6-5 loss to the Orioles on Thursday.

Miley, who picked up the loss, tossed four innings, allowed nine hits and five earned runs before being pulled from the game. Miley and manager John Farrell exchanged words in the dugout once he was removed from the game.

"It's over," Miley said about the altercation after the game. "We're all grown men in here."

Miley (5-6) has a 5.07 ERA with 42 strikeouts and 21 walks in 65 2/3 innings this season.

Orioles pitcher Kevin Gausman made his first rehab start with Double-A Bowie on Thursday. The right-hander struggled, allowing four runs on four hits, including two home runs, over 3 1/3 innings against Binghampton. He struck out four and did not issue a walk, throwing 35 of his 61 pitches for strikes.

Gausman previously made a rehab start for Class A Frederick on Saturday, as he continues to recover from a shoulder injury.

Gausman went on to say after Thursday's start that he felt fine physically, but he was bothered by the heat. He is expected to meet with Orioles manager Buck Showalter on Friday to determine the next step in his rehab, according to MASNSports.com. 

Rangers starting pitcher Martin Perez (elbow) began a rehab assignment with Double-A Frisco on Wednesday. He allowed one run on five hits and no walks in 2 2/3 innings, while striking out four.

The left-hander, who underwent Tommy John surgery in May 2014, threw 33 of 45 pitches for strikes. His fastball touched 94 mph on the radar gun.

"So far so good, and the positive is that my arm feels good," Perez told Fox Sports Southwest reporter Anthony Andro. "That's all I wanted to feel. My focus now is finishing my rehab assignment, and when they make the decision, I want to be ready. I don't know how many starts I need to go."

Perez is scheduled to throw a bullpen session Friday before making his next rehab start Monday for Triple-A Round Rock.

Astros starting pitcher Vincent Velasquez left Wednesday's game with a 1-0 lead over the White Sox. His bullpen, though, allowed four runs and Velasquez ended up with a no-decision in his major league debut.

Velasquez tossed five scoreless innings, struck out five batters and allowed just three hits. He had some trouble with his command, walking a four batters.

Velasquez, a top pitching prospect in the Astros organization, was called up from Double-A Corpus Christi after going 3-0 with a 1.37 ERA in five starts.

White Sox starting pitcher Jose Quintana was dominant in his team's 4-1 win over the Astros on Wednesday.

Quintana tossed seven innings, struck out three batters and allowed just one earned run while recording his third win of the year. 

Quintana (3-6) has a 4.00 ERA with 62 strikeouts in 74 1/3 innings this season.

Twins pitcher Kyle Gibson gave up five runs — four earned — in Wednesday night's 7-2 loss to the Royals. 

Gibson surrendered five hits and two walks while striking out six batters. Gibson now has a 3.24 ERA for the season. Gibson has now allowed nine earned runs over his past two games after giving up eight over the previous seven. 

Gibson's next start is projected for June 16 against the Cardinals. 

Mariners starting pitcher Taijuan Walker was in total command during his team's 9-3 win over the Indians on Wednesday.

Walker threw six innings, struck out six batter and allowed just one earned run while picking up his third win of the year. He threw 92 pitches and allowed eight hits.

Walker (3-6) has a 5.40 ERA with 60 strikeouts in 65 innings this season.