MLB Player News

Indians pitcher Corey Kluber allowed one run on nine hits in eight innings of work on Saturday in Cleveland's 2-1 win over the Reds on Saturday.

Kluber's lone blemish came in the second inning when after allowing two consecutive hits to lead off the inning, Zack Cozart knocked a sacrifice fly into right field to plate Cincinnati's only run. Kluber settled in after that and struck out seven with no walks in the contest.

"Early on I was throwing a lot of strikes, but didn't have the best command," Kluber said to MLB.com. "I missed a few balls over the plate and they did a good job of taking advantage of it."

Kluber, now 2-5, has been on a roll in his last three starts. He has allowed just two runs in 25 innings with 37 strikeouts and just one walk. He will look to keep things rolling Thursday against the Mariners.

Red-hot Mariners lefty James Paxton had to wait a bit Saturday afternoon to find out if his record had been raised to 3-2, but three fine relief performances indeed clinched a victory for him in Toronto.

Paxton allowed two earned runs on four hits in six innings. He walked three and fanned four in lowering his ERA to 3.52.

It was two of those walks to start the sixth that nearly cost him the win. But he recovered to induce a popout and double play that ended his outing and started the waiting game.

"This guy is special. He's a good pitcher," said Mariners manager Lloyd McClendon, per MLB.com. "He got loose after that first inning. He's like most power guys. If you don't get him early, you're probably not going to get him. He started to settle in and get his lather up, and he got to 96, 97 mph pretty easily."

Paxton has strung together five straight quality starts. He has surrendered just six runs on 21 hits in 34 innings during that stretch. He will seek to keep up the good work against equally hot Indians starter Corey Kluber next Thursday.

Blue Jays pitcher Marcus Stroman, who is recovering from a torn ACL suffered in spring training, is still hoping to pitch this season. Although, he is expected to miss the entire 2015 campaign.

"That’s in my mindset," he said, per Sportsnet.ca. "Every day I wake up it’s obviously to be back pitching this year in Toronto. That’s my mindset, that’s what I pride myself on and that’s what’s in the back of my mind, doing everything that I’m doing. We’ll see what happens, I can’t come out and give you a for sure answer, but the way I’m progressing, I’m throwing already and I feel great, so we’ll see what happens."

Indians starting pitcher Corey Kluber has pitched two consecutive gems, and will look to make it a third against the Reds on Saturday.

Kluber has allowed just one earned run in his last 17 innings. In that stretch, he's produced a .053 ERA with a whopping 30 strikeouts.

Indians pitcher Carlos Carrasco allowed two runs on four hits over six innings of work during Friday's 7-3 win over the Reds.

"He didn't have his fastball command, but the other pitches he threw for strikes," Indians catcher Roberto Perez said, per MLB.com. "His changeup was a lot better today and he threw the ball well."

Carrasco stuck out seven batters and walked two during the outing to earn his fifth win of the season. The win broke a two-game losing streak for Carrasco.

Carrasco has now tossed at least six innings in five-consecutive starts. His next expected start is scheduled for Wednesday against the Rangers.

White Sox manager Robin Ventura said rookie pitcher Carlos Rodon will be skipped his next time through the rotation. The left-handed Rodon has made three starts following three relief appearances so far this season, and has a 4.03 ERA in 22 1/3 innings.

Rodon was scheduled to start next on Monday in Toronto, but that will now go to Hector Noesi, according to ESPN.com. The team has not revealed when Rodon will make his next start.

Tigers pitcher Justin Verlander completed a bullpen session on Friday, and is scheduled for a simulated game Tuesday in Oakland, reports MLB.com.

Verlander has been sidelined all season because of a triceps injury. He is scheduled to start a minor-league rehab assignment at some point after the simulated game.

"We'll cross that bridge when we get there," manager Brad Ausmus said, per the Detroit Free Press.

Rays manager Kevin Cash has echoed the optimism expressed by Rays starter Drew Smyly in regard to the torn labrum that has the left-hander on the 60-day disabled list.

"There are so many different degrees to a shoulder issue," Cash told MLB Network Radio. "He met with doctors and rest and rehab is now a possibility."

Smyly is hopeful he can return to the mound at some point this season. He performed well in three starts before going down despite an 0-1 record, yielding just five runs on 10 hits in 16 2/3 innings while striking out 21.

The Blue Jays inquired about Phillies starting pitcher Cole Hamels, but were told Hamels would not waive his 20-team no-trade clause to go to Toronto, sources told CBSSports.com Baseball Insider Jon Heyman.

Heyman wrote Hamels turning down a trade to the Blue Jays was disappointing to the Phillies since Philadelphia likely saw Toronto as a good trade partner with all its young pitching talent (i.e. Aaron Sanchez, Daniel Norris).

A couple of injred Rangers pitchers are making strides towards a return. Left-hander Martin Perez is scheduled to make his first start in extended spring training on June 5. He's been on the 60-day disabled list with an elbow injury. He hasn't pitched in a Major League game since May 10 of last season.

Right-hander Matt Harrison , meanwhile, is expected to make his third extended spring start on Saturday, according to the Fort Worth Star-Telegram. Harrison hasn't thrown a big league pitch since last May 13, as he is recovering from a back injury. If Harrison comes out of Saturday's start without any issue, he could head out on a minor-league rehab assignment in the near future.