MLB Player News

Tigers starting pitcher Drew Smyly(6-9) posted a career-high 11 strikeouts, but it wasn't enough in a tough-luck loss Friday night against the Angels in Anaheim. The right-hander was charged with two runs on four hits and one walk over 5 2/3 innings of a 2-1 defeat.

Prior to this game, Smyly did not strike out more than seven batters in a game this season. He owns a 3.77 ERA and a 1.31 WHIP over 100 1/3 innings of work. His next start will come Thursday at home against the White Sox.

Orioles starting pitcher Kevin Gausman turned in a quality start in a no-decision Friday night against the Mariners in Seattle. The right-hander permitted one run on seven hits and three walks while striking out three over 6 2/3 innings of work.

Gausman has allowed one earned run or fewer in all but three of his first nine starts. He owns a 3.67 ERA and a 1.41 WHIP over 49 innings of work. His next start will come Thursday at home against the Angels.

Athletics pitcher Jason Hammel had a rough start Friday against the Rangers.

Hammel allowed four runs on seven hits over 5 2/3 innings. He struck out three and walked two during the outing. Hammel first ran into trouble in the second inning. After giving up a double to open the inning, he gave up a run-scoring single to the next batter. He gave up an additional run in the third inning. 

Hammel was able to get through the fourth and fifth inning unscathed, but again ran into trouble in the sixth. Hammel gave up a single and walk to open the inning, before allowing a run-scoring single to Adrian Beltre. Jim Adduci added a sac fly, scoring the fourth run of the game. 

With the loss, Hammel dropped to 8-8 on the year. His next start will come against the Astros.

Indians pitcher Justin Masterson struggled with his control during a rehab start Friday.

Masterson allowed five runs on four hits over 6 2/3 innings. He struck out four and walked six during the outing. Masterson loaded the bases prior to leaving the game. All three runs would come around to score, making his line look worse. Masterson is attempting to come back from a knee injury.

Twins pitcher Kyle Gibson felt "encouraged" by a long-toss session of 120 feet on Friday, according to the St. Paul Pioneer Press.

Gibson was scratched from Saturday's start because of a back issue. He tossed 10-15 pitches in the bullpen, and will throw a bullpen session Saturday, per MLB.com. Barring any setbacks, he could return to the rotation as early as Tuesday against the Royals in Kansas City.

Twins pitcher Kyle Gibson's back injury will keep him out yet again Saturday, as the team announced he will not make his scheduled start against the White Sox.

Gibson has not pitched since July 18 due to this injury, as he was scratched from his previously scheduled outing Wednesday. Logan Darnell will be recalled from Triple-A to make the start, and it is not clear at this point if Gibson will be placed on the disabled list to clear the roster spot.

Indians pitcher Corey Kluber flirted with perfection on Thursday against the Royals, but failed to factor into the decision despite another dominant outing.

Kluber allowed a single to Omar Infante in the seventh inning to end his perfect game bid. It was his longest career no-hit bid. His previous high was 4 1/3 innings. The right-hander yielded one unearned run on two hits and no walks while striking out 10 in an extra-inning affair. Of his 107 pitches, 73 were strikes.

Over his last six starts covering 45 2/3 innings, Kluber has allowed eight earned runs. He owns a 2.77 ERA and a 1.13 WHIP over 22 starts (149 1/3 innings). His next start will come Wednesday at home against Seattle.

The Indians have been contacted by rival clubs interested in pitcher Justin Masterson before the July 31 trade deadline, the Cleveland Plain Dealer reports.

Masterson has been on the disabled list since July 8 because of right knee soreness. He went 4-6 with a 5.51 ERA in 19 starts before the injury. He will make his second minor-league rehab start Friday at Triple-A Columbus.

"We told him to get after it. We think that would be good for him. Just to get after it, let it fly and see how far he could carry that into the game," manager Terry Francona said.

So Marcus Stroman nearly no-hit the Red Sox Thursday. True story. The Blue Jays pulled him after the seventh inning, when he allowed his first hit, but still, seven shutout innings with a strikeout per is a nice reward for his Fantasy owners.

Too bad only 46 percent of them got to enjoy it.

How can he be started in so few leagues if he entered the day with a 2.50 ERA, 1.06 WHIP and 8.0 strikeouts in nine starts? It's in spite of my sincerest efforts to get the word out. He's been nothing but dominant in the role and has the pedigree to back it up, making the lack of interest astounding.

And Al Melchior likes him even more than I do, ranking him 34th among starting pitchers. You can get mad, Jered Weaver owners, or you can just go out and get Stroman while he's still affordable.

(Not that I'm saying you should give up Weaver for him, but if Al ranks him higher, that should count for something.)

Twins manager Ron Gardenhire told reporters that the likelihood of pitcher Kyle Gibson making his next scheduled start on Saturday against the White Sox is, "not very good," FOX Sports North reports. The Twins remain hopeful of him starting Tuesday, if he's not ready Saturday.

Gibson was scratched from his Wednesday start because of a stiff back. The team will likely call someone up from the minors to start in his place on Saturday, MLB.com reports.