MLB Player News

Verlander (pectoral) threw 65 pitches in a simulated game at Coors Field on Wednesday and could rejoin the Giants during their series against the Guardians which begins Tuesday, per MLB.com.

Verlander is seemingly nearing a return to game action after being placed on the 15-day injured list May 22 due to a right pec strain. The veteran right-hander has thrown two simulated games, the first which came last Friday, during which he threw 35-40 pitches at Oracle Park. Before landing on the shelf, Verlander posted a 4.33 ERA, 1.40 WHIP and 41:21 K:BB across 52 innings this season, going 0-3 across 10 starts.

Spiers (shoulder) threw a second bullpen session Tuesday, MLB.com reports.

Spiers has been sidelined with a right shoulder impingement since mid-April and began a throwing program three weeks ago. The next step should be a rehab assignment, although the Reds haven't indicated when that may begin.

Lowder (forearm/oblique) reported to the Reds' complex in Goodyear (Ariz.) on Wednesday to begin a rehab program, MLB.com reports.

Lowder, who was rehabbing a forearm injury, had a rehab assignment paused when he incurred an oblique injury. The focus of his rehab is now on the oblique.

Freeland finished with a no-decision Wednesday against San Francisco, allowing three runs on six hits and two walks while striking out five batters over six innings.

Freeland pitched pretty well and held a three-run lead at the time of his departure. However, Colorado's bullpen imploded, allowing the Giants to score seven times over the final two frames, halting the southpaw's bid at a second straight victory. Freeland did, however, manage to notch a third straight quality start, and he's pitched to a 2.95 ERA, 1.04 WHIP and 13:2 K:BB across 18.1 innings during that stretch. He'll try to extend the run of quality starts in his next outing, which is expected to come on the road in Washington.

Ray allowed four runs (two earned) on six hits and two walks while striking out five batters over four innings in a no-decision against Colorado on Wednesday.

Ray entered Wednesday having recorded a quality start in each of his previous eight outings, but that streak came to an end in the thin air of Colorado. All four runs the Rockies scored against the southpaw came in the third inning, though an error resulted in only two of the runs being earned. Ray completed the fourth frame without further damage, but he ended that inning at 93 pitches and didn't come out for the fifth. It wasn't all bad for the veteran hurler, as he racked up 15 whiffs and extended his streak of striking out at least five batters to nine contests. Ray is tied for 11th in the league with 92 punchouts this season, and he's added a strong 2.55 ERA and 1.12 WHIP across 81.1 innings.

Peterson (5-2) tallied the win Wednesday against the Nationals after giving up six hits and no walks in nine scoreless innings. He struck out six.

Peterson was brilliant in his first career shutout, keeping Washington off balance with a staggering 13 groundouts while also producing his first scoreless start of the season altogether. It was also just the fourth time this year that the 29-year-old left-hander didn't lend a free pass, and he's now hurled at least six frames in six of his last seven outings. Peterson sports a 2.49 ERA, 1.19 WHIP and 71:25 K:BB across 79.2 innings, and he's scheduled to toe the slab in a tough road matchup against Atlanta next week.

Irvin (5-3) was charged with the loss Wednesday against the Mets after giving up four runs on five hits and three walks in five innings. He struck out four.

Irvin matched his season high in walks, and he served up multiple home runs for the fourth time this year. However, the right-hander was still able to throw at least five innings in his 14th consecutive start to begin the campaign. Irvin has an ordinary 4.21 ERA, 1.25 WHIP and 54:25 K:BB over 83.1 innings, but he's slated for a favorable home matchup next week versus a Rockies team that carries a .590 OPS on the road since the start of May.

Rodriguez (2-3) earned the win against the Mariners on Wednesday, allowing two runs on six hits and one walk with five strikeouts over 6.1 innings.

Rodriguez needed just 81 pitches to work into the seventh inning, earning his first win since April 27. The southpaw generated 14 swinging strikes and has allowed four earned runs over 11.1 innings since returning from the injured list Friday. He'll carry a 6.27 ERA, 1.59 WHIP and 60:19 K:BB across 56 innings into a road matchup with the Blue Jays next week.

Vasquez did not factor into the decision Wednesday against the Dodgers, allowing a run on two hits and a walk over 4.2 innings. He struck out four.

While Vasquez only gave up two hits, one was a home run off the bat of Michael Conforto that ultimately forced the right-hander out of the game with two outs in the fifth inning. The Padres have had a tight leash on Vasquez -- he only threw 70 pitches Wednesday after delivering 4.2 scoreless frames in his last start. Overall, Vasquez is 3-4 with a 3.57 ERA, 1.40 WHIP and 41:35 K:BB across 14 starts (68 innings) this season. He's currently lined up for a rematch with the Dodgers at home in his next outing.

Lodolo (4-5) took the loss Wednesday as the Reds were routed 11-2 by the Guardians, surrendering six runs on five hits and two walks over 3.1 innings. He struck out six.

While the strikeouts somewhat softened the blow for Lodolo's fantasy investors, it was still his shortest outing of the season, and only the second time he's been tagged for more than four earned runs. The big blow off the southpaw came in the third inning, when Carlos Santana cleared the bases with a grand slam. Lodolo will take a 3.76 ERA, 1.13 WHIP and 70:16 K:BB through 79 innings into his next start, which lines up to come at home next week against the Twins.