MLB Player News

The Yankees and Tigers each had a scout at Reds pitcher Johnny Cueto's last start this past Friday, reports FOX Sports.

Cueto went seven innings during the start and allowed four runs. He is 4-4 with a 2.75 ERA in 12 starts this season.

Twins pitcher Ricky Nolasco was bothered by his right ankle while conducting a throwing session Sunday, which had to be cut short, reports TwinCiites.com.

"It didn't go well," Twins pitching coach Neil Allen said after Sunday's game. "I don't know where we go from here. He had to stop it. It was just all arm. He couldn't drive."

Nolasco is on the disabled list with a right ankle injury and he was nearing a rehab assignment.

"Back to square one and see where we go from here," Allen said. "Do I know the extent of everything? Not at all. But the side did not go well."

Athletics starter Sonny Gray earned a win over the Angels on Sunday, allowing one unearned run over 7 2/3 innings. 

"He had a little harder slider than we've seen, one that was going down, too -- usually his harder slider goes lateral," manager Bob Melvin said, per MLB.com. "What we've seen this year, more than really in the past, is the ability to throw strikes whenever he wants to with all his pitches. As good as he is, he continues to get better."

Gray allowed five hits, didn't walk a batter and struck out nine. 

Gray improved to 8-3. His next start is Friday, against the Angels again. 

Indians starter Corey Kluber lost his third straight start, Sunday against Detroit. 

"He gave up a solo to Miggy," Indians manager Terry Francona said of Kluber, per MLB.com. "Other than that, he was good. Then, the rain came. He simulated an inning and then, once we had the next delay … that didn't seem to make much sense [to have him keep pitching]."

Kluber dropped to 3-8, one loss shy of his total for all of his Cy Young season last year, when he went 18-9.

Kluber gave up two runs on four hits over five innings. He walked one, struck out two and surrendered a home run. His next start is Friday, against Tampa Bay.  

Astros pitcher Lance McCullers did not allow a run over five innings of work to earn his third win of season during Sunday's 13-0 win over the Mariners.

"I had to battle from the first pitch on," McCullers said, per MLB.com. "I knew that I didn't have the same stuff that I usually did, but thankfully I had good defense behind me today and [catcher] Hank [Conger] helped me battle through."

McCullers (3-1) did not surrender a hit over the five innings of work. He struck out four and walked four during the outing. His ERA now stands at 2.00.

McCullers has now earned a quality start in each of his last three starts and he is 2-1 during that time. His next expected start is scheduled for Friday at Seattle.

Red Sox starter Eduardo Rodriguez suffered his first career loss, dropping to 2-1 after Sunday's game against Toronto. 

"It was a little bit out of control," Rodriguez said, per MLB.com. "I just have to throw better pitches. You try to make the right pitches, they just got a lot of base hits."

Rodriguez allowed nine runs in 4 2/3 innings. He'd given up just one over his first 20 2/3 MLB innings. Rodriguez gave up eight hits and three walks, striking out one. 

"I mean, I just tried to make good pitches, like you saw," Rodriguez said. "The rest, getting wild a bit, with balls. Stuff like that happens in the game."

Rodriguez's next start is Friday, at Kansas City. 

Despite continuing his double-digit strike out streak, White Sox pitcher Chris Sale was not able to earn a win during Sunday's 2-1 loss to the Rays.

"Sale did a tremendous job," White Sox bench coach and interim manager Mark Parent said, per MLB.com. "We just need to pick it up offensively, that's for sure."

Sale allowed two runs on three hits over 6 2/3 innings. His biggest mistake was giving up a two-run home run to Asdrubal Cabrera in the seventh inning. He threw 125 pitches during the start.

"The maturity of Sale from this year to last year is going through the roof, just on and off the field," Parent said. "It seems like he has really matured in my opinion to that next level, almost superstar-type guys. He knows that people depend on him, the team depends on him to come out each time there's a two-game losing streak to win a ballgame." 

Sale (6-3) struck out 12 and walked three during the outing, but he received a loss for this effort. He has now struck out 12 or more batters in four-straight games. His next expected start is scheduled for Friday against the Rangers.

Red Sox pitcher Justin Masterson is scheduled to make another rehab start for the team's Triple-A team Tuesday, reports ESPNBoston.com.

Masterson made his first rehab start Wednesday and allowed one run over six innings. He is on the disabled list with shoulder tendinitis.

Rays pitcher Jake Odorizzi was able to throw 25 tosses from 60 feet recently, according to the Tampa Bay Times. 

Odorizzi could throw again as early as Monday. Odorizzi has been on the disabled list due to an oblique injury. 

"Everything is on schedule, just like I had it drawn up in my head," Odorizzi said, per MLB.com. "My body has allowed that to happen. It just feels good and everything is where it needs to be right now."

Indians starter Carlos Carrasco was fortunate to walk away with a win on Saturday against the Tigers. Carrasco went 5 2/3 innings, allowing three runs on seven hits. The right-hander walked one and struck out eight, improving his record to 8-5.

Carrasco was down early as he gave up three runs over the first four innings. But his offense was able to bail him out as they took the lead in the top of the sixth inning.

Carrasco will carry a 4.38 ERA into his next start, scheduled for Thursday at home against the Cubs.