MLB Player News

Musgrove allowed two runs on three hits and three walks across six innings Friday versus the Cubs. He struck out five while falling to 2-4 in the 2-0 loss.

Musgrove tossed a quality start and his only mistake came on a two-run home run to Kris Bryant, but his offense failed to bail him out as opposing starter John Lester shut them down. It was a nice bounceback start for Musgrove after allowing five runs to Texas last time out, and he has started to exhibit some noticeable home-away splits, as Friday's outing brought his ERA at Minute Maid Park to 1.19 compared to 8.71 on the road. The sample size is still small, but the early results indicate that he could be in for another solid outing Wednesday at home to the aforementioned Rangers club.

Milone (biceps) was reinstated from the DL on Friday.

Left biceps tendinitis has kept Milone sidelined since Aug. 11. He posted a 5.68 ERA in 65 innings, mostly working as a starter, earlier this season, so even if he slots back into the rotation, there's not much reason for fantasy owners to pay attention to Milone over the season's final three weeks.

McCullers (elbow) still hasn't progressed to throwing off a mound, the Houston Chronicle's Angel Verdejo reports.

He increased his throwing velocity and distance to 120-130 feet Friday, but the fact that he has not returned to a mound yet suggests he's probably at least a couple weeks from being able to return to the big league rotation. Dallas Keuchel is also without a timetable to return, so the likes of Joe Musgrove, David Paulino and Brad Peacock will continue to plug the holes in the rotation.

Walker adjusted his mechanics before Thursday's start in hopes of becoming more effective, the Seattle Times reports.

After giving up six runs and failing to make it out of the first inning two starts ago, Walker went back to the drawing board with pitching coach Mel Stottlemyre. Specifically, Walker closed his stance and added a higher leg kick. Results were mixed in Thursday's start, which started with seven consecutive balls before he found his control. But he plans to stick with it. "Especially after seven balls it was like, 'OK, this is not going to work.' But it was good that I stuck with it," Walker said. "... The first couple of innings, it was weird. It felt awkward. It was a little bit off. But I stuck with it. After the second inning, third inning it just kind of clicked. My timing was down and the tempo was better."

Keuchel has been diagnosed with shoulder inflammation and does not have any structural damage, FOX 26's Mark Berman reports.

He has already been ruled out for the next two turns in the rotation, and it's hard to pinpoint when he might be able to return, if he even makes it back at all during the regular season. Keuchel said he wouldn't be able to throw until at least after Sunday, and he will need to take time strengthen the shoulder before returning to the rotation.

Cobb allowed four runs (three earned) on nine hits over six innings in Thursday's no-decision at Yankee Stadium, striking out one without a walk.

Cobb has pitched well in two starts since returning from Tommy John surgery, issuing just one free pass in 11 innings. He has no wins to show for his efforts, though, which isn't surprising given Tampa Bay's underwhelming offensive numbers. Wednesday's road matchup with Toronto will be a big test after the 28-year-old held that dangerous lineup at bay nicely in his previous outing at Tropicana Field.

Walker (5-10) gave up three runs on seven hits Thursday in a win over Texas. He struck out three, walked two and hit a batter.

Fortunately for Walker, opposing starter Derek Holland was even worse, letting him get away with the victory. He also got off relatively easy with the Rangers scoring just three runs off the 10 men he put on base. The 24-year-old has all the raw stuff you look for, but we're still waiting for him to put it all together. There hasn't been much in his four starts since returning from a stint in the minors to suggest that Walker should be widely owned in fantasy down the stretch.

Carrasco (11-7) pitched 7.1 innings, allowing four runs on nine hits and one walk while striking out five Astros in Wednesday's win.

Carrasco worked around some early trouble that were apparently caused by some insect issues on the mound. Immediately after a bug appeared to fly in his eye during the fourth, Carrasco surrendered a leadoff single to Yulieski Gurriel and a first-pitch, two-run homer to Colby Rasmus. Carrasco settled in, however, and took advantage of solid run support to earn his 11th win of the year. The 29-year-old righty has surrendered a career-high 20 home runs this season, but he also managed a 3.15 ERA and 1.11 WHIP -- both of which are well below his career averages -- through 23 starts. He'll make his next start Monday against the White Sox.

Gibson allowed four runs on eight hits -- two of them homers -- over six innings in a no-decision against the Royals on Wednesday. He struck out four and walked two.

The righty gave up only six home runs over his first 10 starts, but has become extremely prone to the long ball lately, having given up multiple homers in three of his last five outings. Not coincidentally, he's give up 18 runs over his last 22 innings -- though to be fair, he hasn't experienced much success in general this year. Only rarely does Gibson deliver a start that makes you happy he was in your lineup, so it's best to stay away from him for fantasy purposes in most leagues.

Stroman (9-7) allowed two runs on seven hits, struck out eight and walked only one over five frames in a loss to the Yankees on Wednesday.

Once again, run support was an issue, as Toronto scored under three runs for the fourth time in Stroman's last seven starts. He looked sharp, inducing 15 swing-and-misses, but a two-run third inning, which included a solo home run from Starlin Castro, was enough to propel the Yankees to a series sweep. Stroman will hope to get more run support in his next start Tuesday against the Rays.