MLB Player News

Rays pitcher Alex Cobb turned in an excellent start Friday against the Yankees.

Cobb gave up six hits over 7 1/3 scoreless innings. He struck out eight and walked one during the outing. Cobb was in compete control during the start. He didn't allow a runner to reach second base until his final inning of work. After giving up a single and walk in the eighth inning, Cobb was pulled from the game. He threw 112 pitches. 

With the win, Cobb improved to 8-6. He'll take on the Tigers in his next start. 

Rangers pitcher Yu Darvish is expected back August 25, according to the Dallas Morning News.

"I expect him to pitch for us on [August] the 25th," manager Ron Washington said. "I have no indication that it would be more than 15 days." Darvish stressed that he didn't want to risk further injury to himself, but said he was looking forward to competing. Darvish has a 3.06 ERA over 144 1/3 innings. 

Twins pitcher Ricky Nolasco is in the team's starting lineup Friday against the Royals.

Nolasco has been rehabbing from an elbow injury. He's expected to be limited to about 80 pitches or so in his first start since July 6. Nolasco has a 5.90 ERA over 103 2/3 innings. 

Rays starting pitcher Jake Odorizzi gave his team seven strong innings against the Rangers in Arlington, improving to 9-9 on the season. The right-hander permitted two runs on four hits and one walk while striking out seven in a 6-3 victory.

Over his last two starts covering 13 innings, Odorizzi has allowed two earned runs. He owns a 3.82 ERA and a 1.27 WHIP over 24 starts (129 2/3 innings). He will make his next start Wednesday at home against Detroit.

An MRI revealed elbow inflammation for Rangers pitcher Yu Darvish, according to FoxSports.

There's no timetable for Darvish's return at this time. The pitcher expressed a desire to continue pitching through the injury Wednesday, but the club wanted to be cautious with one of their best players. Darvish has a 3.06 ERA over 144 1/3 innings. 

The Tigers are still trying to figure out the best plan for Justin Verlander's recovery, according to the Detroit News.

Verlander will miss his next start, but made it clear he doesn't want to be placed on the disabled list. "I have never been on the DL in my career and I don’t plan to be now," according to Verlander. Manager Brad Ausmus told reporters the club is not considering surgery for Verlander. They are, however, still waiting to get more opinions on how to handle Verlander moving forward. "We are still waiting on some diagnosis from other doctors to make sure we’re all in agreement and headed in the right direction," Ausmus said. 

Over 158 2/3 innings, Verlander has a 4.76 ERA. 

Rangers pitcher Yu Darvish wanted to continue to play through elbow inflammation, according to FoxSports.

The Rangers decided to be cautious with Darvish, placing him on the disabled list. There's some hope that Darvish will only miss two starts due to the injury. With the Rangers out of the race, the club didn't want to risk further injury to Darvish during a lost season. 

Rangers pitcher Yu Darvish has been placed on the disabled list with elbow issues.

Darvish felt some discomfort playing catch Monday, and that pain hasn't subsided yet. Darvish attempted to play catch Wednesday, but still had issues, which led to his stint on the DL. Darvish has a 3.06 ERA over 144 1/3 innings. It's unclear how long he'll be sidelined due to the injury.

White Sox pitcher Jose Quintana was stuck with a loss Wednesday, giving up four earned runs on four hits and two walks in 6 2/3 innings and striking out seven in his team's 7-1 defeat against the Giants.

Quintana (6-9) delivered six scoreless innings before the Giants broke through in a seven-run seventh inning, making it three straight outings without a quality start for the pitcher. He owns a 3.14 ERA and 136:46 K:BB ratio in 154 2/3 innings. Quintana is scheduled to face the Orioles Monday.

The good Kyle Gibson showed up for the Twins on Wednesday in Houston. The right-hander has been on a Jekyll-Hyde stretch since late June.

Gibson pitched shutout ball until a Chris Carter bloop in the eighth scored a run. He finished having surrendered just one run on six hits in 7 2/3 innings with two walks and four strikeouts.

The right-hander has yielded one run or less in four of his last nine starts, but has given up 23 runs in 15 1/3 innings in four others combined. He hopes the good Gibson shows up against Cleveland on Monday.