MLB Player News

Verlander (hip) struck out three and allowed four earned runs on five hits and two walks across 5.2 innings in a rehab start Wednesday with Triple-A Toledo.

After tossing five shutout innings and 64 pitches in his first rehab outing with Toledo on June 2, Verlander wasn't quite as sharp in the second start of his rehab assignment. Though he was able to stretch out to 86 pitches and averaged 92.9 mph with his four-seamer during the outing, Verlander struggled to execute, particularly with his slider. He allowed four home runs in the start, three which came off sliders and traveled at least 400 feet. Despite the shaky performance, Verlander could still be cleared to return from the 60-day injured list during next week's series in Houston to make his first start with the Tigers since March 30. He's expected to throw a bullpen session in front of the Tigers' brass over the weekend before a decision is made on his next step.

Tigers manager A.J. Hinch said Thursday that Mize (adductor) will likely be activated from the 15-day injured list to start Sunday in Cleveland, Evan Woodbery of MLive.com reports.

Mize will need to complete a bullpen session Thursday with no issues and bounce back well Friday before officially being cleared to take the ball Sunday. The right-hander looked good during what's likely to be his lone rehab start, tossing five frames of one-run ball with five strikeouts with Single-A Lakeland on Tuesday. Mize has been out since late May with right adductor inflammation.

Tigers manager A.J. Hinch confirmed Thursday that Skubal (elbow) will rejoin the rotation Saturday in Cleveland, Jason Beck of MLB.com reports.

All told, Skubal will have been sidelined only 38 days after having surgery in early May to remove a loose body from his left elbow. The left-hander was excellent in his lone rehab start, striking out six over five scoreless frames for High-A West Michigan on Sunday. Skubal threw only 54 pitches in that outing, so he will be relatively limited from a workload perspective against the Guardians.

Stephen was placed on the 7-day minor-league injured list at Double-A Akron on Wednesday with right elbow soreness, Tim Stebbins of MLB.com reports.

Stephen last pitched Sunday for Akron, throwing just one scoreless inning before exiting the game. He's in the midst of his first full season in the organization after he was acquired from the Blue Jays last season at the trade deadline as the return for Shane Bieber. Stephen has logged a 3.44 ERA and 1.36 WHIP with 49 strikeouts and 23 walks over 12 starts (55 IP) for the RubberDucks.

Ray didn't factor into the decision in Wednesday's 11-10 win over the Nationals, giving up five runs on seven hits over 5.2 innings. He struck out three without walking a batter.

A two-run homer by James Wood in the third inning was the only extra-base hit off Ray, but the veteran lefty unraveled in the top of the sixth as Washington strung together five two-out singles, with three steals mixed in. Ray was taken off the hook for his seventh loss of the year when the Giants erased an eight-run deficit over the final two frames, however. It's the third time in his last five outings that he's been tagged for at least four runs, a stretch in which he's been saddled with a 7.43 ERA, 1.87 WHIP and 17:16 K:BB in 23 innings. Ray could have a hard time righting the ship in his next start, which is set to come on the road next week in Atlanta.

Griffin didn't factor into the decision Wednesday, allowing one run on six hits over six innings in an 11-10 loss to the Giants. He struck out five without walking a batter.

The 30-year-old southpaw produced his sixth quality start of the season on 100 pitches (72 strikes) in another sharp performance, but Griffin saw his eighth win of the year slip away when the Nationals' bullpen managed to blow an eight-run lead. After a couple bumpy outings in mid-May, Griffin has bounced back to post a 2.05 ERA, 0.86 WHIP and 20:3 K:BB in 22 innings over his last four trips to the mound. He'll look to keep rolling in his next start, which lines up to come at home early next week against the Royals.

Civale (shoulder) is scheduled to make a rehab appearance Thursday with Triple-A Las Vegas, Martin Gallegos of MLB.com reports.

Civale has been shelved since May 26 due to right shoulder tendinitis and seems to be progressing well in his recovery. After beginning a throwing progression June 1, the right-hander is now set to take the next step and jump into game action. Should Civale come out of Thursday's rehab start feeling healthy, a return to the big-league rotation for his next appearance seems likely. Prior to hitting the injured list, he posted a 5-2 record with a 4.20 ERA, 1.47 WHIP and 39:17 K:BB across 55.2 innings (11 starts).

Gore did not factor into the decision Wednesday against the Royals, allowing two runs on eight hits and three walks while striking out six over five innings

Gore spent much of the afternoon pitching with traffic on the bases, allowing multiple baserunners in all but one inning. The left-hander easily could have been tagged for a much worse line, but he repeatedly worked out of trouble and stranded four runners in scoring position across his five innings of work. While the run prevention was solid, the amount of contact remains a concern, as Gore has now allowed 17 hits total in his last 9.2 innings. The 27-year-old has pitched well overall since May 12, posting a 2.90 ERA during that stretch. Gore now owns a 4.18 ERA, 1.35 WHIP and 76:33 K:BB across 71 innings and is lined up to face the Twins at home in his next start.

Mlodzinski allowed four earned runs on three hits and three walks while striking out three across 3.2 innings Wednesday against the Dodgers.

He entered the game in the fifth inning, following Jared Jones. Mlodzinski had a routine opening frame, but he loaded the bases and served up a grand slam in the sixth inning. While it was a poor outing, Mlodzinski was bailed out of taking the loss by a late Pirates rally. This also marked the first time Mlodzinski has given up more than two earned runs over his last five outings, and he will likely continue to work roughly once a week in a long-relief role.

Martin (9-2) earned the win Wednesday against Atlanta, allowing six hits and one walk while striking out six over six scoreless innings.

Martin continued his breakout campaign with another dominant performance, recording his third outing of at least six innings without allowing a run this season. The right-hander had to navigate several early threats, escaping a bases-loaded jam in the second inning before stranding runners on the corners in the third. Martin has now allowed one run or fewer in eight of his last 10 starts and joins Aaron Ashby and Gavin Williams atop the MLB wins leaderboard with nine. He now owns a 2.41 ERA, 1.10 WHIP and 79:17 K:BB across 78.1 innings and is scheduled to face the Yankees on the road in his next outing.