MLB Player News

White Sox pitcher Chris Sale struggled early on in his start against the Tigers Saturday, but settled down in a big way in a 6-3 win over.

Sale was tagged for three runs on a pair of first -inning home runs, but that was all the White Sox would manage in seven innings against Sale. Sale was pretty much untouchable from that point on, scattering six hits and a pair of walks while striking out a season-high 13 batters on 119 pitches in the win.

Sale improved his record to 11-3 with the win, while his ERA rose slightly to 2.11. His next start is set for Saturday against the Indians. 

The White Sox purchased the contract of pitcher Chris Bassitt from Double-A Birmingham Saturday, prior to his scheduled start against the Tigers.

Bassitt will start Saturday, and could remain with the team moving forward, as he was not called up as the 26th man for the double-header. Basitt has a 2.08 ERA in 43 1/3 innings in the minors this season. 

Tigers pitcher Justin Verlander dominated the White Sox in Chicago on Friday, scattering one run on nine hits over seven innings to improve to 12-11 on the year. He struck out eight and walked two.

Verlander has allowed two earned runs or fewer in three of his last five starts. He owns a 4.68 ERA and a 1.45 WHIP over 27 starts (171 1/3 innings). His next start will come Wednesday at Cleveland.

Athletics pitcher Sonny Gray turned in another gem Thursday night against the Angels in Anaheim. The right-hander permitted three runs on six hits and three walks while striking out six over seven innings of a no-decision. Of his 103 pitches, 66 were strikes.

Over his last four starts covering 27 2/3 innings, Gray has allowed 12 earned runs. He owns a 3.03 ERA and a 1.21 WHIP over 27 starts (178 innings). His next start will come Tuesday at home against Seattle.

Indians pitcher Carlos Carrasco turned in a dominant start Thursday against the White Sox.

Carrasco allowed one run on four hits over 6 2/3 innings. He struck out seven and walked one during the outing. Carrasco put himself in some trouble early, putting the first two batters he faced on base. He managed to pitch out of the inning without giving up any runs. The White Sox were able to get to Carrasco in the third inning. Adam Eaton led off the inning with a single, and stole second. He was able to advance to third on a throwing error. Jose Abreu then drove Eaton home on a single. Carrasco recovered, and lasted into the seventh inning before he was pulled.

With the win, Carrasco improved to 6-4. He’ll take on the Tigers in his next start. 

The Astros are monitoring pitcher Dallas Keuchel's workload, accoring to MLB.com.

Keuchel has already thrown 171 1/3 innings this season. That's close to his previous career-high of 177 2/3 innings. Manager Bo Porter did not say anything about an innings limit for Keuchel, but indicated the team will watch him closely down the stretch. "You look at his workload and the number of innings he's thrown this year, and it's something we definitely need to keep an eye on," Porter said.

Rays pitcher Drew Smyly will be held to about 150 innings this season, according to the Tampa Tribune.

Joe Maddon said Smyly would likely be held between 150 innings and 160 innings. Smyly has already reached his career-high in innings, and currently sits at 141 1/3 on the year. Smyly has put up strong numbers, posting a 3.31 ERA, but he's never thrown more than 117 innings over a full season. 

Drew Smyly probably isn't as good as he's shown since joining the Rays. Granted, you shouldn't put anything past their coaching staff -- Alex Cobb, Chris Archer and Jake Odorizzi all appear well on their way to maximizing their talents -- but in his last four starts, Smyly has been as good as the man he was traded for, perennial Cy Young contender David Price. No transformation is that sudden.

The most telling number for me is that one that falls well short of Price's standards: During that four-start stretch, Smyly has averaged 6.7 strikeouts per nine innings. And yet he's allowed 11 hits in 30 2/3 innings. The result is an impossibly low .111 BABIP.

Of course, one look at his 0.88 ERA during that four-start stretch would tell you it's something he can't sustain, so maybe I'm going overboard digging into the advanced numbers there. My point is this: He's good, but with middle-of-the-road strikeout ability and an occasional vulnerability to home runs, I don't see him becoming start-him-every-week good.

In a relief pitcher spot in a points league, maybe, but otherwise, keep an eye on the matchups and weigh your alternatives.

White Sox pitching prospect Chris Bassitt will be called up to start the first half of Saturday's doubleheader against the Tigers, according to ToledoNewsNow.com.

Bassitt will be making his major-league debut when he takes the mound. He has a 2.08 ERA in 43 1/3 innings between two minor-league spots this season, including 36 strikeouts in 34 2/3 innings for Double-A Birmingham. 

Orioles pitcher Kevin Gausman has been sent to the minors following Wednesday's start.

Gausman has been up and down all season, but this time it will be a short stay. The club will recall Gausman once rosters expand September 1. He is not expected to miss a turn in the rotation. Gausman has a 3.81 ERA over 78 innings.