MLB Player News

White Sox pitcher Chris Sale earned a win on Wednesday, allowing just three hits and two walks in seven scoreless innings while racking up 13 strikeouts in his team's 9-2 victory over the Rangers.

Sale (5-2) was boosted by a six-run second inning from his offense and cruised to the win, delivering his season high for strikeouts and his third straight double-digit performance in the category along the way. He's allowed six earned runs in 38 2/3 innings while striking out 53 batters in his last five starts.

"Any time you go out there and you feel like you get in a rhythm, that’s all pitching really is is finding a groove, getting in a rhythm, just trying to — I wouldn’t say be comfortable — but find the groove and ride it as long as you can," Sale said, per the Chicago Sun-Times. "They don’t last forever."

Sale owns a 3.27 ERA and 79:16 K:BB ratio in 66 innings after Wednesday's gem. He's slated to face the Astros at home on Monday.

Indians pitcher Corey Kluber took a complete-game loss on Wednesday, allowing four earned runs on nine hits and one walk in eight innings while striking out nine in his team's 4-2 defeat against the Royals.

Kluber (3-6) fell behind early, surrendering an RBI single in the bottom of the first inning. While his offense handed him a lead in the top of the third, he gave it right back in the bottom of the inning, surrendering three RBI doubles before escaping the frame in a 4-2 deficit.

"Fortunately in that third, we had the play where [Jason Kipnis] had the good relay, throws the guy out at the plate to kind of eliminate more, but then after that, [Kluber] really buckled down," manager Terry Francona said after the game, per MLB.com. "We had opportunities, too, and just didn't do much with them."

Kluber owns a 3.61 ERA and 105:14 K:BB ratio in 84 2/3 innings. His next start is scheduled for Tuesday against the Mariners at home.

Astros rookie pitcher Lance McCullers recorded the first complete game of his career on Wednesday, giving up one earned run on four hits in nine innings while striking out 11 and walking none in his team's 3-1 win over the Orioles.

"Just pounded the zone early," McCullers said, per MLB.com. "They started getting pretty aggressive. [Catcher Jason] Castro and I talked and tried to use that to our advantage. Whatever pitch I throw, try throwing it for a strike. Let them kind of, you know, force the pace of the game."

McCullers (3-0) showcased his considerable upside in the win, throwing 73 of his 107 pitches for strikes. He retired 15 straight batters at one point before surrendering a single with two outs in the ninth inning, but he buckled down after a meeting with manager A.J. Hinch on the mound and struck out the final batter of the game.

"When he gets ahead, he's very, very difficult to pick how he's going to attack you to finish you, but he finished hitters very well," Hinch said. "Obviously, 11 [strikeouts] is going to indicate that a little bit. He was very, very good tonight."

McCullers owns a 1.88 ERA and 29:6 K:BB ratio in 24 innings. He's scheduled to square off with the White Sox in Chicago on Monday.

Athletics pitcher Sonny Gray earned a win on Wednesday, giving up just two hits and one walk in eight scoreless innings while striking out seven in his team's 6-1 victory over the Tigers.

Gray (7-2) has given up a total of two runs over his last three outings combined after Wednesday's gem, which featured a pair of strikeouts in the eighth inning to close out his night in strong fashion. He's given up no more than three runs in nine straight starts and a total of just 10 runs during that stretch.

"You feel like you get one run for that guy, whether it's the first or the eighth, you're going to get a 'W' no matter what," outfielder Josh Reddick said, per MLB.com. "He goes out there with the utmost confidence in himself, and I think it gives our lineup a little bit of a boost in knowing that if we can score one or two, it's going to be a shutout for him."

Gray owns a 1.65 ERA and 73:21 K:BB ratio in 82 innings. His next start is scheduled for Monday against the Rangers at home.

The Mariners have acquired outfielder Mark Trumbo and Vidal Nuno from the Diamondbacks for catcher Welington Castillo, pitcher Dominic Leone, infielder Jack Reinheimer and outfielder Gabby Guerrero.  

Trumbo is hitting .259/.299/.506 this season. Trumbo figures to add power to a Seattle lineup that has been about average this year as the Mariners have a collective .395 slugging percentage.

"You look where we're at offensively and we're not doing exactly what I thought we'd do or what most people thought we'd do, and Trumbo is a guy that brings an awful lot to the table," Mariners general manager Jack Zduriencik said, per MLB.com. "He's a big power hitter that will bat somewhere in the middle of the lineup and will be very good insurance for the ballclub." 

Late last week, CBSSports.com Baseball Insider Jon Heyman reported the Diamondbacks were potentially interested in dealing Trumbo, who has nine home runs and 23 RBI this season. 

Zduriencik said Trumbo can play either corner-outfield spot, as well as designated hitter and first base.

"We'll have a rotation system where he'll get his ABs along with Nelson Cruz and the other corner players," Zduriencik said. "That will still unfold. More than anything else, to bring the bat to this organization is what we're desiring to do."

Mariners starter Taijuan Walker put together a quality start, but was outdueled by Masahiro Tanaka and the Yankees on Wednesday, dropping to 2-6 on the year.

"He was outstanding," manager Lloyd McClendon said of Walker, per MLB.com. "It was a tremendous outing and it's nice to see him turning the corner."

Walker permitted a solo home run to Mark Teixeira in second inning and a two-run home run to Garrett Jones in the fourth, which proved to be the difference. He was charged with three earned runs on five hits and one walk while striking out seven over eight innings of 3-1 defeat. Of his 108 pitches, 76 were strikes.

"The last couple starts, he's had a plus fastball and had great command with it," catcher Mike Zunino said. "It's had great life at the end and he's throwing a great changeup and a good curveball to keep them off balance. That's the key. We know he's going to throw his fastball quite a bit and he's throwing his offspeed for strikes and just below the zone where he needs to, for the most part."

Walker has allowed seven earned runs over his last three starts (21 2/3 innings). His next start will come Tuesday at Cleveland.

Red Sox starter Eduardo Rodriguez was sharp in his second big-league start. Rodriguez limited the Twins to just one run on two hits in seven innings on Wednesday in the 6-3 win.

The 22-year-old rookie walked two and struck out seven in the first game of a day-night doubleheader. The only blemish on Rodriguez's day was a solo home run from Brian Dozier in the third inning. Manager John Farrell said that the rookie has a chance to be something special, WEEI.com reports.

"He does," Farrell said. "And I think anybody in the game who’s watched any pitch whether it’s been previously with Baltimore or since coming over here. We have the vantage point of getting to know the person in addition to the pitcher. He’s got great aptitude, he’s intelligent, in addition to the physical abilities that he demonstrates. It is, it’s a special kid."

Rodriguez (2-0) has been brilliant since his call-up and now owns a miniscule 0.61 ERA over his first two starts. He has a 14:4 K:BB ratio as well.

If Rodriguez stays in the rotation for his next turn, he'll likely make his next start Tuesday in Baltimore. 

Trainers estimate there is a 50-50 chance Twins starting pitcher Ricky Nolasco will go on the disabled list, manager Paul Molitor told reporters Wednesday. Nolasco, who is sidelined due to an ankle injury, is slated to throw a bullpen session Thursday.

The earliest Nolasco could return to the rotation is Saturday vs. Milwaukee. If he can't pitch, the team will likely go to a bullpen game, with J.R. Graham the most likely option to start.

Twins starting pitcher Kyle Gibson has been pushed back to Friday vs. Milwaukee, as Tommy Milone will be recalled from the minors to start Thursday at Boston, manager Paul Molitor said Wednesday.

Molitor also made it clear that Milone's recall will not be a precursor to the team going to a six-man rotation.

Gibson is 3-1 with a 1.54 ERA in his last seven starts.

Twins pitcher Tommy Milone has been tabbed to start Thursday's game at Boston, manager Paul Molitor told reporters. He will be recalled from Triple-A Rochester.

However, Molitor made it clear that Milone's recall will not be the precursor to a six-man rotation.

Milone has been outstanding for Rochester. He is 4-0 with a 0.70 ERA in five starts. He has 47 strikeouts to just three walks in 38 2/3 innings.