MLB Player News

Twins pitcher Kyle Gibson picked up his first win of the season Wednesday, giving up one earned run on  nine hits in 6 2/3 innings while striking out three and walking none in his team's 3-1 victory over the Royals.

Despite surrendering nine hits, Gibson (1-1) didn't allow an extra-base hit in the game, and the Royals were only able to eek out a run in the fourth inning before the starter departed.

"If I can limit `em to singles and allow the defense to do some work behind me, that's going to be big for me," Gibson said after the game, per the Associated Press.

He takes a 6.10 ERA and 3:5 K:BB ratio into Monday's rematch with the Royals.

Yankees pitcher Nathan Eovaldi didn't factor into the decision Wednesday, giving up two earned runs on eight hits and three walks in five innings while striking out nine in his team's 7-5 loss to the Orioles.

Eovaldi put plenty of people on base throughout the start but was able to lean on his strikeout ability to limit the damage to an RBI single in the first inning and a solo home run in the fourth.

"In the first inning and the fourth inning I threw a lot of pitches," Eovaldi said after the game, per The Journal News. "I have to do a better job of getting deep into games. It’s early in the season, but still. When I get the quick outs, I need to bounce back from that and keep attacking the zone. I know a lot of times when I did get quick outs, I fell behind 2-0, then it’s 2-1 and they’re battling back and fouling off more pitches."

He takes a 4.35 ERA and 10:4 K:BB ratio in 10 1/3 innings into a matchup with the Tigers next week.

Twins general manager Terry Ryan said that pitcher Ricky Nolasco played long toss with no issues Wednesday, MLB.com reports.

Nolasco is on the disabled list with elbow inflammation. He'll be first eligible to be activated next weekend for his team's series against the Mariners, but there's no indication from the team that he'll be ready to return by that point. He surrendered six earned runs in three innings in his only start before heading to the disabled list.

Rays reliever Alex Cobb (forearm tendinitis) played catch Tuesday, and reportedly threw harder than he had previously in his throwing program. However, he remains without a timetable for his return, and is still limited to playing catch, manager Kevin Cash said Wednesday, according to the Tampa Tribune and the Tampa Bay Times.

Nobody will be calling Wade Miley "Smiley Wiley" in the next day or so if his Wednesday start against Washington is any indication.

The Red Sox lefty was mashed for seven earned runs in just 2 1/3 innings in taking the loss for his first decision of the season. Seven of the eight baserunners he allowed scored.

Miley yielded big hits along the way, including doubles to Bryce Harper and Wilson Ramos, triple to Ryan Zimmerman and homer to Ian Desmond.

After allowing his ERA to soar to 10.57, he will attempt to keep the big hits to a minimum next Tuesday at Tampa Bay.

Tigers pitcher Justin Verlander was unable to complete his simulated game Wednesday due to shoulder fatigue, reports MLive.com.

Verlander said his triceps were "achy" and dealt with some fatigue, but never felt it grab him. 

"I would say it's lower now," Verlander said of his concern level. He threw 45 pitches and was able to throw his full arsenal, but laid off his curveball in the third inning. 

Manager Brad Ausmus said he will see how Verlander feels and decide his next step Friday, but will likely need another rehab start before rejoining the club, according to MLB.com.

Tigers starting pitcher Justin Verlander (triceps) threw 45 pitches in three innings during a simulated game Wednesday, according to MLB.com. 

Verlander didn't show any discomfort during his outing, per MLB.com. However, he didn't throw many curveballs in his final inning of work. He hurt his triceps throwing a curveball late in spring training, and he didn't resume throwing it until a bullpen session Sunday.

Verlander is a candidate to rejoin the rotation Tuesday against the Yankees. However, manager Brad Ausmus indicated if Verlander couldn't throw more than 60 pitches Wednesday, then it might not be time to bring him off the disabled list.

"If he only throws 60 pitches and he doesn't feel great and we have to take him out, well, now it's tough to throw him right into a major-league game when he's got a 75-pitch count," Ausmus said, per the Detroit Free Press.

If Tigers starting pitcher Justin Verlander is able to throw more than 60 pitches during a simulated game Wednesday, he could be a candidate to return to the rotation Tuesday against the Yankees, according to the Detroit Free Press. 

Although, if he throws less than 60 pitches, it could be tough to start him with a 75-pitch limit, manager Brad Ausmus said. The Tigers are expected to make a decision on Verlander's status Thursday.

Verlander began the season on the 15-day disabled list due to a right triceps strain.

Indians starting pitcher Carlos Carrasco will start Monday against the White Sox instead of Sunday against the Twins after getting struck in the jaw Tuesday by a line drive, the team announced Wednesday. The Indians added Carrasco's jaw is sore on both sides.

"For everything that happened, I think it's miraculous," Francona said of Carrasco's condition, per MLB.com. "His jaw is sore on both sides, but he's in a good place.

"I do think there's a little swelling, but I'm glad there's not [anything more]. I think he thinks he's going to be just fine, which is more important than anything."

The Indians have not indicated who will start Sunday. 

Carrasco was struck in the face by a line drive off the bat of Melky Cabrera in the first inning of Tuesday's game. He was lying face down in the dirt and motionless on the edge of the mound. Carrasco was on the ground for several minutes before he eventually was carted off the field.

Francona told reporters Tuesday that Carrasco was initially not very responsive when he was being evaluated, per the Associated Press. Carrasco was taken to the hospital, where X-rays came back negative. 

White Sox pitcher Jose Quintana bounced back with a quality start and picked up his first win of the season Tuesday night against Cleveland.

Quintana (1-0) allowed a run-scoring double to Ryan Raburn in the fourth inning for his only blemish of the evening. He permitted one unearned run on three hits and no walks while striking out six over six innings of a 4-1 victory. Of his 104 pitches, 60 were strikes.

Quintana admitted he had some command issues early on during his outing, per ESPN.

"It was a rough start, those first three innings," Quintana said. "It was a little bit dry. The first month of the year, it was a little bit cool. I'm happy with this outing and ready for the next one."

Quintana has allowed five earned runs through his first 11 innings pitched this season. He will make his next start Sunday at Detroit. He went 2-1 with a 3.60 ERA in four starts last season against the Tigers.