MLB Player News

Cobb, who makes the first of his last two starts of the season Wednesday versus the Yankees, is pleased with his body of work at the major league level in 2016, Marc Topkin of the Tampa Bay Times reports.

The 28-year-old feels he's made significant progress over his three trips to the mound since returning to the major league level. Cobb has given up six earned runs over 17.2 innings over that period, posting a solid 3.06 ERA and 12:4 K:BB. The fact that he's been able to put together some positive efforts at the tail end of 2016 is sure to provide him with some much-needed confidence heading into next season, regardless of how his last pair of outings go. "I've done enough good things to hang my hat on," he said.

Boyd (6-4) pitched eight fantastic innings, limiting the Twins to one run on three hits and one walk while striking out seven in Tuesday's victory.

Boyd matched his career-high strikeout total Tuesday en route to his first win his since Aug. 24. The southpaw threw 68 percent of his pitches for strikes, inducing a large amount of swings and misses (13), while lowering his ERA to 4.16. It was an encouraging bounce-back effort following one of Boyd's worst starts of the season. The 25-year-old sophomore has allowed three runs or fewer in 11 of his 12 starts since the All-Star break. Boyd will take the hill Monday against Cleveland for his next start.

Musgrove allowed one run on two hits and three walks with four strikeouts over 5.1 innings in a no-decision Tuesday against Oakland.

Musgrove failed to convert a quality start, but he has allowed three runs or fewer in each of his past three starts to give the Astros some valuable innings down the stretch. His 4.42 ERA is mediocre, but he owns a nifty 51:16 K:BB in 55 innings and is doing enough to make a run for a rotation spot in 2017 as well.

Rodriguez (3-7) beat the Orioles with 6.1 innings of two-run ball Tuesday. He struck out seven while allowing just four hits and a walk.

Rodriguez continued his success at Camden Yards, taking a no-hitter into the fifth inning after throwing four no-hit innings in his last appearance there. He translated that fast start into his first win since Jul. 16, rebounding nicely from last Wednesday's 2.1-inning start against the Yankees. The 23-year-old will be in search of his first two-game winning streak since September of last season Sunday in Tampa Bay.

Gausman (8-11) allowed five runs on 10 hits over 6.1 innings Tuesday against the Red Sox, striking out five and walking one in a losing effort.

Gausman fared much worse in his second consecutive start against the Red Sox after blanking them over eight innings last Wednesday. He was doing pretty well in this one, too, until a three-run homer by David Ortiz raised Boston's lead from 2-1 to 5-1. The right-hander finally gets to face a different team when the Diamondbacks come to Camden Yards on Sunday.

Kaprielian (elbow) threw a 30-pitch live batting practice session Tuesday, Dan Martin of the New York Post reports.

Kaprielian has been out for the majority of the season with inflammation and a flexor strain in his right elbow, but it appears he's taking significant strides toward a recovery. The former first round pick is still optimistic he'll be able to pitch in the Arizona Fall League next month and even if he's unable to take that step, he figures to be ready by spring training. Limited to just three appearances in 2016, Kaprielian posted a 1.50 ERA over 18 innings with High-A Tampa. The fact that he essentially missed an entire season could delay his major league debut date, but he'll likely keep moving up through the organizational ranks in 2017.

Alvarez underwent successful shoulder surgery Tuesday (his second such surgery) and is without a timetable to return, the San Francisco Chronicle's Susan Slusser reports.

As with any arm surgery, the second time around is a lot harder to return from, so Alvarez will face an uphill battle. His first surgery was 14 months ago and both procedures were done by Dr. James Andrews. This surgery entailed a bicep tenodesis procedure as well as an excision of a boney exotosis in his right shoulder. It would not be surprising if he missed most or all of the 2017 season.

Smyly pitched six innings, allowing one run on four hits and two walks while striking out three Yankees in Tuesday's no-decision.

The lefty turned a 2-1 lead over to the bullpen, only to watch Brad Boxberger promptly give up four runs in the seventh, throwing Smyly's fine outing by the wayside. It was certainly a disappointing outcome for the hurler, who has won five straight decisions, especially considering he was only at 87 pitches and could have work his way into the seventh. On the bright side, Tuesday's performance earned Smyly his first quality start in his last four outings while lowing the 27-year-old's ERA to 4.86, its lowest mark since Aug. 26. He'll go for his eighth win of the season when he takes the hill for his next start Monday against the White Sox.

Gray (forearm) threw a bullpen session Tuesday, Susan Slusser of the San Francisco Chronicle reports.

The next step for Gray will be pitching to live hitters, which he plans to do this weekend. However, there's yet to be word that he'll pitch in a game before Oakland's season comes to an end Oct. 2.

The Orioles are undecided as to whether Miley (back) will make a start this weekend against the Diamondbacks, CSN Mid-Atlantic's Rich Dubroff reports.

He will leave the club after Sunday's game to be with his wife, who is expecting, so he will either start this weekend or be unavailable to start until later next week. Miley and Yovani Gallardo have been the Orioles' two weak links of late, and the fact that Miley left his last start with a muscle strain in his back may be enough to give Gallardo the edge for the next turn in the fifth spot in the rotation. Miley or Gallardo will have to start Friday and the other could start Saturday as a sixth starter, or the Orioles could opt to skip whoever doesn't get the ball Friday.