MLB Player News

Cobb (9-7) lasted just three innings Monday, surrendering eight runs on nine hits and two walks in a loss to the Astros.

Cobb was an on absolute roll entering this start, having fired four consecutive quality starts with a 3-0 record and a 1.48 ERA. The Astros have that effect on pitchers, considering that they're one of just two American League teams averaging more than five runs per game. This is already the 26th time in 2017 that the Astros have put up eight runs, so while Cobb is surely smarting after the beating he took Monday night, he's far from alone.

Morton (9-4) allowed two runs on two hits and three walks with five strikeouts over six innings in a win Monday against the Rays.

Morton has now won four of his last five games, tossing three quality starts in that span. His one mistake Monday night was a two-run homer by Corey Dickerson. The long ball has been his main weakness this season -- Morton owns a 3.77 ERA despite having surrendered 11 home runs in 15 starts, good for a mediocre 1.1 HR/9. That homer problem means it's best for fantasy owners to take care with how they use him, but Houston's strong offense has made Morton a decent source of wins.

Severino (8-4) allowed one run on four hits and three walks over five innings in Monday's win over the Tigers. He struck out eight.

The only run on Severino's ledger came on an RBI double from James McCann in the fourth. He threw just eight of 24 first-pitch strikes and labored thanks to 28 foul balls from the Tigers, culminating in his shortest start since May 19. Despite the abbreviated appearance, Severino has allowed just five runs in his past 33 innings, lowering his ERA to a sterling 2.98 in the process. There have been whispers that the 23-year-old's workload could be monitored down the stretch, but he's in strong form at the moment and will look to keep it going Saturday against the Indians.

Hamels allowed four runs -- three earned -- on six hits and a walk while striking out seven batters through six innings during Monday's loss to Seattle. He didn't factor into the decision.

After allowing 11 runs through 11.1 innings over his past two starts, this was a modest bounce-back showing from the lefty. Hamels is well past his prime, but he can still provide serviceable fantasy numbers, especially when owners are selective with his matchups. Monday's seven strikeouts were a season high, and he sports a halfway decent 4.01 ERA along with a 1.13 WHIP for the campaign. Hamels projects to face the Twins at Target Field in his next start.

Odorizzi (back) played catch at Tropicana Field on Monday and is expected to throw off a mound Wednesday, Marc Topkin of the Tampa Bay Times reports.

The right-hander appears to be on track to make good on his assertion that he wouldn't miss extended time. Odorizzi's lower-back issue has apparently been a recurring one dating back to spring training, so it remains to be seen whether his current DL stint will be enough to eliminate it altogether.

Clevinger (5-4) allowed five runs on seven hits and four walks while striking out just two batters over only three innings during Monday's loss to Boston.

Clevinger has now allowed 11 runs -- five earned -- through 7.1 innings over his past two starts, bringing him up to a 3.68 ERA and 1.31 WHIP for the year. Obviously, those numbers are still solid alongside his 9.8 K/9, but his poor current form is definitely concerning. Clevinger lines up for a tape-measuring matchup against the Yankees in his next start, and it's not out of the question to fade the 26-year-old righty.

Kaprielian will start a throwing program in August, Susan Slusser of the San Francisco Chronicle reports.

Kaprielian remains on track in his recovery from the Tommy John surgery he underwent in April. The A's are likely to be cautious with their new prospect's recovery, with general manager Billy Beane suggesting that the 23-year-old right-hander isn't expected to return to minor-league action until next May at the earliest, according to Joe Stiglich of NBC Sports California.

Manager Joe Girardi indicated that Gray will likely make his Yankees debut Thursday against the Indians, Jack Curry of YES Network reports.

Prior to being dealt to New York on Monday, Gray had been scheduled to pitch for Oakland later in the day, so he'll get some additional time to get acclimated to his new team before taking the hill on eight days' rest. Gray has been lights out over his last six starts, compiling a 1.37 ERA and 0.81 WHIP in 39.1 innings, and the Yankees are hopeful he'll be able to maintain that form through the rest of the regular season before serving as a staff workhorse during a potential playoff run. In order to accommodate Gray's addition to the rotation, it's expected that No. 5 starter Jordan Montgomery will either transition to a bullpen role or get optioned back to Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre.

Montgomery isn't expected to retain a spot in the Yankees' rotation following the acquisition of Sonny Gray on Monday, Jack Curry of YES Network reports.

Yankees manager Joe Girardi suggested the Yankees wouldn't expand the rotation to six men this week following the addition of Gray, which likely means that Montgomery will be ticketed for bullpen duty, if not a return to Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre. With a 4.15 ERA and 1.27 WHIP in his rookie campaign with the Yankees, the 24-year-old lefty has surpassed expectations, but since he's already logged 115.2 innings between the big club and the minors, overuse was starting to become a concern. Montgomery still looks like he could be a keeper for the Yankees in their rotation for years to come, but don't expect him to make much noise in the second half or during a potential playoff run.

McCullers was placed on the 10-day disabled list Monday due to back discomfort, Brian McTaggart of MLB.com reports.

It's unclear when the issue cropped up, but it may explain why he's been so bad in the month of July. Since the calendar turned, the young starter hasn't pitched deeper than five innings in any game, accumulating a 9.64 ERA for the month. A timetable for his return has not been established yet, but Brad Peacock seems like a logical candidate to pick up starts in his stead.