MLB Player News

Rocker allowed two runs on five hits and two walks while striking out three batters over 4.2 innings in a no-decision against Kansas City on Thursday.

Rocker was great through three innings, holding the Royals scoreless on one hit. However, the right-hander faded in the fourth, yielding two runs on three hits and a walk. Rocker returned for the fifth and retired the first two batters he faced before giving up a Bobby Witt single and subsequently being pulled. Though it was far from a disastrous outing, Thursday marked the first time since May 8 that Rocker was unable to complete five frames. He holds a 3.56 ERA, 1.34 WHIP and 52:28 K:BB over 65.2 innings spanning 13 appearances (12 starts).

Kelly (5-5) took the loss against Miami on Thursday, allowing two runs on four hits and two walks while striking out one batter over six innings.

Kelly didn't allow any extra-base hits and was efficient in getting through six frames on 74 pitches. However, the two runs he allowed were enough to saddle him with the loss, as Arizona managed just three hits and no runs against five Marlins hurlers. Kelly did notch his fifth quality start of the campaign and rebounded well after yielding seven runs over five innings against Washington in his previous outing. He'll carry a 5.46 ERA and 1.45 WHIP into his next start, which is scheduled to be at home against the Angels.

Manager Will Venable said Thursday that the team is considering promoting Smith to start Saturday's game against the Dodgers, Bruce Levine of 670TheScore.com reports.

The White Sox don't currently have a probable pitcher listed for Saturday's contest, but Smith could get the nod after posting a 3.76 ERA and 1.32 WHIP while striking out 79 batters in 52.2 innings at Triple-A Charlotte. The 22-year-old southpaw has found consistent success on the mound throughout his minor-league career, though that consistency would certainly be put to the test while making his MLB debut against one of the league's most dynamic offenses. Venable noted there is also a chance the team keeps Smith in the minors for a while longer and relies on its bullpen to get through Saturday.

Schultz (knee) threw a bullpen session Wednesday, James Fegan of SoxMachine.com reports.

Manager Will Venable said that Schultz will throw at least one more bullpen session before the White Sox potentially plot out a rehab assignment for the rookie left-hander, who has been on the shelf since May 26 due to right knee patellar tendinitis. Prior to landing on the injured list, Schultz went 2-4 with a 5.82 ERA, 1.34 WHIP and 33:22 K:BB across 38.2 innings.

Kremer (quadriceps) threw another live batting practice session Thursday at the Orioles' spring training complex and could soon be cleared to begin a rehab assignment, Matt Weyrich of The Baltimore Sun reports.

Kremer threw 35 pitches -- which included two "ups" -- and also went through pitchers' fielding practice drills. The veteran hurler has been shelved since late April with a right quad strain but looks to be tracking toward a return in early July, assuming he continues at his current progression.

Scott did not factor into the decision in the Mets' 5-4 win over the Cardinals on Wednesday, giving up four runs on seven hits and a walk over 4.2 innings. He struck out six.

Scott struggled to keep the ball in the park Wednesday -- he surrendered four runs on three homers in the first two innings. Coming into the day, Scott had given up just one home run this season and none in his previous starts (29.2 innings) leading up to Wednesday, so the long ball isn't a major concern despite New York's power display. The right-hander now sports a 3.10 ERA with a 1.35 WHIP and 47:19 K:BB across 40.2 innings this season. Scott is tentatively lined up to face the Reds on the road in his next outing.

Matthews (2-4) took the loss Thursday against the Tigers, allowing seven runs on nine hits and a walk over six innings. He struck out four.

It's the second time in three starts that Matthews has given up seven earned runs. The 26-year-old right-hander was hurt by the long ball Wednesday -- he gave up a season-high three homers in an eventual 11-0 loss to Detroit. After firing seven scoreless frames in his season debut in mid-May, Matthews' ERA now sits at 5.20 with a 1.18 WHIP and 30:9 K:BB through his first six starts (36.1 innings) this year. He'll look to bounce back in his next outing, tentatively scheduled to come on the road against the Rangers.

Montero (3-4) earned the win Thursday over the Twins, allowing four hits and a walk over 6.1 scoreless innings. He struck out four.

It was an impressive performance from Montero, who was provided with more than enough run support in an 11-0 Tigers win. It's the third time this year that Montero has held opponents scoreless for six or more innings, though it's just his second quality start in his last six outings -- the right-hander had posted a 5.13 ERA across 26.1 innings in five starts prior to Wednesday. Overall, Montero sports a 3.61 ERA with a 1.01 WHIP and 48:17 K:BB across 72.1 innings this season. He's tentatively lined up to face the Astros on the road his next time out.

The Brewers returned Priester (shoulder) from his rehab assignment in the rookie-level Arizona Complex League on Thursday, Adam McCalvy of MLB.com reports.

Priester has struggled to gain any sort of momentum during his rehab outings, posting a 21.60 ERA in 10 innings across six appearances between Triple-A Nashville and High-A Wisconsin, and more recently allowing four earned runs on three hits and seven walks across six innings between two starts in rookie ball. The Brewers haven't outlined what Priester's next steps will be now that his rehab assignment has been paused, but he doesn't appear to be anywhere near a return to Milwaukee's rotation.

The Brewers signed Richardson to a minor-league contract Thursday, Jim Goulart of BrewerFanatic.com reports.

Richardson elected free agency last week after being booted off the Reds' 40-man roster. The 26-year-old holds a career 6.67 ERA and 46:39 K:BB over 56.2 innings covering parts of four seasons at the major-league level. Richardson will report to the Brewers' Arizona Complex League affiliate for now but should move up to Triple-A Nashville soon.