MLB Player News

Athletics pitcher Sonny Gray was pegged with a tough-luck loss Friday night at home against Kansas City, dropping to 12-4 on the season. The right-handed hurler allowed one run three hits and no walks while striking out seven over seven innings of a 1-0 defeat.

Gray has allowed one earned run or fewer in each of his last six starts. He owns a 2.59 ERA and a 1.14 WHIP over 22 starts (146 innings). His next start will come Wednesday at home against Tampa Bay.

White Sox pitcher Chris Sale didn't factor into the decision Friday night at home against the Twins. The right-hander yielded five runs -- four earned on eight hits and one walk while striking out seven over six innings of a 10-8 defeat.

Sale allowed four-plus runs for the first time since June 7. He owns a 2.09 ERA and a 0.90 WHIP over 17 starts (116 innings). Sale will make his next start Wednesday at home against Texas.

Tigers pitcher Justin Verlander turned in a gem Friday night at home against the Rockies, improving to 10-9 on the year. The right-hander permitted two runs on six hits and no walks while striking out five over eight innings of a 4-2 victory.

Over his last three starts covering 21 2/3 innings, Verlander has permitted eight earned runs. He owns a 4.66 ERA and a 1.42 WHIP over 23 starts (150 2/3 innings). His next start will come Wednesday in New York against the Yankees.

Twins pitcher Ricky Nolasco (elbow) is scheduled to start a minor-league rehab assignment with Class A Cedar Rapids on Tuesday, according to the St. Paul Pioneer Press. He is expected to throw 50 pitches on Tuesday, then 75 pitches on Sunday. Barring any setbacks, he is expected to join the rotation shortly after his second rehab start.

After an interview with Athletics general manager Billy Beane, Comcast SportsNet Bay Area reports that Jason Hammel will likely stick as the fifth starter over Jesse Chavez.

Chavez owns a 3.44 ERA, 1.30 WHIP and 119:41 K:BB ratio in 125 2/3 innings. Hammel has lost his first four decisions with his new club. He owns a 3.87 ERA and a 1.17 WHIP over 21 starts (125 2/3 innings).

Mariners starting pitcher James Paxton was confirmed as the starter for Saturday's game against the Orioles, the Tacoma News Tribune reports. He has been recovering from a lat injury since making his first two starts of the season.

Left-hander Drew Smyly did a five-and-fly Thursday - literally. He pitched five poor innings for the Tigers against the White Sox before leaving for trade destination Tampa Bay.

It could have been worse for Smyly, who worked around 11 hits to give up just four runs with no walks and two strikeouts. He did not retire Chicago in order in any inning.

It remains to be confirmed when Smyly makes his debut with the Rays. He is on schedule to pitch in Oakland on Tuesday.

The Tigers sent Drew Smyly to the Rays Thursday, as part of their deadline-day acquisition of David Price.  

Smyly has pitched reasonably well in 100 1/3 innings for the Tigers this season, posting a 3.77 ERA and 1.306 WHIP, with a 6-9 record. His role in Tampa has not yet been determined.

The Athletics were not planning on moving recently acquired pitcher Jason Hammel before Thursday's trade deadline, but FOXSports.com reports they have been "flooded" with calls about his availability and could change their minds.

The Athletics acquired another starting pitcher prior to Thursday's deadline, which could leave Hammel as the odd-man out in the rotation.  Hammel hasn't helped his case in four starts with the A's, allowing 18 runs on 26 hits and 10 walks in 17 innings of work. 

The Astros have taken starting pitcher Dallas Keuchel off the trade market, sources told FOX Sports. The left-hander is 1-1 with a 0.56 ERA in his last two starts after going 1-3 with a 6.07 ERA in his previous five starts.