MLB Player News

Cobb (1-0) worked around three walks to allow just one run on two hits while striking out four in 6.2 innings in a victory over the Blue Jays on Wednesday.

The right-hander wasn't quite as sharp as his first two outings back from Tommy John surgery, but he's still yielded just four free passes in 17.2 frames. Cobb pitched well enough to win in his other starts, but he finally received the run support early in the game to capture the victory. He is 1-0 with a 3.06 ERA, 1.08 WHIP and 12 strikeouts in 17.2 innings over three starts this season. His next scheduled outing is Wednesday against the Yankees.

Gray (forearm) threw a 20-pitch bullpen session Wednesday, Jane Lee of MLB.com reports.

Gray reported feeling great after the session and he's scheduled to follow up Wednesday's activity with a 30-pitch bullpen session Friday. If all goes well there, the 26-year-old could move on to simulated games early next week. Gray is still hoping to return this season, but it is still unclear if he'll advance far enough in his recovery to be able to do so.

Walker credited a change in mechanics for his first career shutout Tuesday at the Angels, the Seattle Times reports.

Pitching coach Mel Stottlemyre proposed adjustments to Walker's mechanics earlier this season, but Walker resisted changing things. After his recent struggles, he finally gave in. "He told me, 'You have to do this,'" Walker said. Stottlemyre and Walker worked on a higher leg kick and more hip turn the last couple weeks. Walker got better results in his previous start, but it really seemed to pay off Tuesday. "Three weeks left in the season, it's kind of weird to change mechanics," Walker said. "But we've been out there working at it and I felt really good [Tuesday]. I told Mel three days ago when we went out to play catch that I think I've got it."

Meyer (1-3) allowed four runs on five hits and two walks with three strikeouts over four innings in a loss Tuesday to the Mariners.

It marked Meyers' longest start of the season, but unfortunately he was touched up four a pair of home runs as he continues to struggle to find his form in the major leagues. His ERA sits at a brutal 8.18, but with the Angels well outside of the playoff picture, expect the Angels to continue to let the reclamation project take his lumps down the stretch.

Walker (6-10) allowed just three hits and struck out 11 in a shutout victory Tuesday over the Angels.

This came out of nowhere for the previously struggling Walker, who last completed a quality start June 30 against the Orioles. His 11 strikeouts tied a season high set twice before, June 8 against Cleveland and April 25 against Houston. Walker owned a 3.29 ERA and 1.12 WHIP in his first 15 starts. He supposedly tweaked his mechanics before his start last week against Texas, and Tuesday's start was a pretty good sign that tweak can help him rediscover his early season form.

Quintana (12-10) allowed one run on five hits and a walk and struck out six over eight innings in a win Tuesday night against Cleveland.

Quintana went eight innings for the third time this season and the first time since June 11 against Kansas City. He continues to enjoy a career year, as his 3.05 ERA and 8.0 K/9 are both his best marks in his five seasons with the White Sox. He gets over shadowed in a rotation next to Chris Sale, but Quintana is putting together one of the best seasons by an American League starter this season.

Stroman (9-8) threw six innings of three-run ball Tuesday, giving up four hits and four walks while striking out four and earning the loss against the Rays.

Stroman struggled with his command Tuesday, throwing just 52 of 92 pitches for strikes and walking four. The four walks are the most yielded by Stroman since June 26. All of the damage against Stroman came in the fifth, as a double and a walk set up Alexei Ramirez's three-run homer to give the Rays a lead they would never relinquish. Stroman now has a 4.55 ERA and 1.30 WHIP on the year.

Smyly (7-11) threw 5.2 innings while allowing two runs on five hits and a walk, earning a win against the Blue Jays on Tuesday. He struck out four.

The two runs came on a two-run blast by Toronto catcher Russell Martin in the sixth, which caused Smyly to be removed from the game. It's been somewhat of a disappointing season for Smyly, who entered the day with a 6-11 record and an ERA of 5.05 after never having an ERA above 4.00 his last four seasons. He'll look to keep things rolling against the Orioles on Sunday.

Darvish's next start has been moved to Saturday against the A's, Evan Grant of the Dallas Morning News reports.

The Rangers are lining up their postseason rotation while also giving Darvish some extra rest. He lines up behind Cole Hamels, who starts Friday -- a preview of how the Rangers will deploy their top two starters in October. This works out well for Darvish's owners, as he faces a mediocre A's offense at home instead of a talented Astros offense on the road. Derek Holland will start Wednesday in his stead.

Bundy (9-5) pitched 5.1 innings, allowing three runs, six hits and four walks while striking out four Red Sox in Tuesday's victory.

Bundy bounced back from an awful performance in his last start by dropping a Red Sox team that had battered him in four previous games this season. Tuesday's 95-pitch effort marked the second most pitches Bundy's ever thrown in his short MLB career. The 23-year-old owns a solid 3.88 ERA through 99.2 innings this season, but he's been wildly inconsistent since joining the starting rotation, making Bundy a tough play in most formats. Not so lucky for him, Bundy's next start happens to be against the Red Sox once again, and the division leaders will certainly be hungry for revenge.