MLB Player News

Rangers manager Bruce Bochy said Wednesday that Scherzer received a nerve injection for his right shoulder and is feeling "really good," Shawn McFarland of The Dallas Morning News reports.

Scherzer was sent in for a precautionary MRI earlier this week after he had struggled to bounce back from right shoulder fatigue, an issue he contended with during his most recent start July 30 before landing on the injured list three days later. The recent diagnostic tests apparently didn't reveal anything too concerning, and Scherzer's condition finally seems to be trending back up again now after getting the injection. The veteran right-hander is still without a clear timeline for his return from the IL, and a target date likely won't come into focus until he's cleared to start throwing again.

Bradford is slated to start Thursday's game against the Twins at Globe Life Field.

Bradford will be making a third consecutive appearance as a starter, an unexpected development after the Rangers moved him to the bullpen during his minor-league rehab assignment before he was activated from the 60-day injured list July 29. However, with injuries to Jon Gray (groin), Max Scherzer (shoulder) and Nathan Eovaldi (oblique) having since tested the Rangers' starting depth, Bradford looks like he could have a pathway to a rotation spot. Bradford has turned in a solid 12:1 K:BB while allowing four earned runs over 8.2 innings across his last two starts, and a strong outing Thursday should be enough to keep him ahead of Jose Urena and Dane Dunning in the rotation pecking order. Even though Eovaldi is expected to avoid an IL stint, the Rangers should have room in the rotation for two of Bradford, Urena and Dunning until at least two of Gray, Scherzer or Jacob deGrom (elbow) return from the IL.

Atlanta promoted Lara from High-A Rome to Double-A Mississippi on Tuesday.

The 21-year-old from the Dominican Republic will make the move to the Southern League after he compiled a 3.92 ERA, 1.47 WHIP and 72 strikeouts over 62 innings at Rome. The right-hander was particularly sharp over his last four outings at High-A, turning in a 1.19 ERA and 34:7 K:BB over 22.2 frames.

The Yankees optioned Warren to Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre on Thursday, Greg Joyce of the New York Post reports.

Warren turned in a solid spot start in Wednesday's 10-2 win over the White Sox, taking a no-decision while allowing two runs over five frames. He'll rejoin the Scranton/Wilkes-Barre rotation and would likely be the first hurler called upon when/if the Yankees need another starter.

Ray (2-2) took the loss against Atlanta on Wednesday, allowing five runs on one hit and three walks over two-thirds of an inning while striking out two. He also plunked two batters.

It was a disastrous showing for Ray, who hit the first two batters he faced before eventually surrendering a grand slam to Michael Harris. The lefty also issued three walks before being relieved by Sean Hjelle with two outs in the opening frame. It easily marked the shortest start of the campaign for Ray, while the five runs allowed are also a season high. He's walked three batters in three of his last four outings and has a 6.00 ERA, 1.33 WHIP and 30:12 K:BB through five starts this season.

Woo came away with a no-decision in Wednesday's 3-2 extra-inning loss to the Tigers, scattering four hits over seven scoreless innings. He struck out six without walking a batter.

The right-hander put together another brilliant performance, generating 29 called or swinging strikes among his 85 pitches, but Woo wound up settling for his third straight quality start and seventh of the season when his bullpen couldn't get the job done. Through three outings in August, he's delivered a 1.31 ERA, 0.73 WHIP and 19:1 K:BB through 20.2 innings, and he seems fully recovered from the hamstring issues that began bothering him in late June. Woo will face a tough test in his next start, which is scheduled to come on the road early next week against the Dodgers.

Kremer (5-9) picked up the win in Wednesday's 4-1 victory over the Nationals, allowing one run on five hits and two walks over six innings. He struck out three.

The right-hander wasn't dominant, managing only six swinging strikes among his 92 pitches, but Kremer was able to ride a two-run homer from Gunnar Henderson in the first inning to his first win since July 3. Wednesday's quality start was only his second in his last 10 trips to the mound, with the other quality start coming with three unearned runs. Over that 10-start stretch, Kremer has stumbled to a 5.22 ERA, 1.54 WHIP and 47:22 K:BB in 50 innings. He'll try to build on Wednesday's momentum in his next outing, which lines up to come on the read early next week against the Mets.

Herz (2-5) took the loss Wednesday, giving up two runs on four hits and two walks over six innings in a 4-1 loss to the Orioles. He struck out five.

A two-run homer by Gunnar Henderson in the first inning proved to be too much for the Nationals' offense to overcome, saddling Herz with the loss despite his first quality start since June 15. The rookie southpaw has mostly been reliable of late, allowing two runs or less in six of seven starts since the beginning of July while posting a 3.48 ERA, 1.19 WHIP and 41:12 K:BB through 33.2 innings, but he has just a 1-3 record to show for it. Herz will try to get back in the win column in his next outing, which is scheduled to come at home early next week against the Rockies.

The Twins optioned Varland to Triple-A St. Paul on Thursday.

Varland put together a quality start in a no-decision Wednesday against the Royals, yielding three earned runs over six innings. He nonetheless finds himself back in the minors, which means Zebby Matthews should remain in the Minnesota rotation indefinitely as the club's No. 5 starter.

Houck came away with a no-decision in Wednesday's 9-7 extra-inning loss to the Rangers, giving up two runs on six hits and two walks over 6.2 innings. He struck out three.

The right-hander left the mound after 108 pitches (64 strikes) with a 4-2 lead, but the Boston bullpen cost Houck his ninth win of the season. Instead, he had to settle for his 17th quality start, tying him with Luis Castillo, Seth Lugo, Cole Ragans and Zack Wheeler for fourth in the majors. While he's still giving the Red Sox some length in the rotation, Houck's overall performance had faded as the summer has worn on, and since the beginning of July he's posted a 3.92 ERA, 1.49 WHIP and poor 22:21 K:BB through 39 innings. He lines up to make his next start on the road early next week in Houston.