MLB Player News

Indians pitcher Justin Masterson began a minor-league rehab assignment Sunday for Triple-A Columbus.

Making his first start since moving to the disabled list on July 8 with a knee injury, the right-hander lasted five innings and allowed two runs on five hits, with two walks and six strikeouts. It remains to be seen how long he'll pitch in the minors before rejoining the Indians.

Athletics pitcher Sonny Gray continued to pitch well on Sunday against the Orioles, improving to 11-3 on the year. The right-hander posted a quality start, allowing two runs -- one earned -- on two hits and two walks while striking out eight over 6 2/3 innings of a 10-2 victory.

Over his last four starts covering 28 1/3 innings, Gray has allowed only three earned runs. He owns a 2.72 ERA and a 1.16 WHIP over 20 starts (132 1/3 innings). His next start will come Saturday at Texas.

Orioles pitcher Kevin Gausman was hit hard in a loss to the A's in Oakland, dropping to 4-3 on the year. The right-hander was charged with five runs on nine hits and two walks while striking out six over four innings of a 10-2 defeat.

Gausman owns a 4.04 ERA and a 1.39 WHIP over his first eight starts (42 1/3 innings). He has allowed five earned runs in two of his last four outings. He'll look to pick up the pieces Friday at Seattle.

Inconsistent Tigers left-hander Drew Smyly had it working Sunday - and it resulted in his team avoiding its first-ever four-game sweep to the Indians at home.

Smyly was hurt only by a solo home run off the bat of Yan Gomes in giving up one run on four hits in seven innings. He had a no-hitter alive until Gomes doubled in the fifth. Smyly walked two and fanned six as he kept the Indians off-balance, raised his record to 6-8 and lowered his ERA to 3.80.

He is slated to pitch again Friday against the host Angels.

Twins disappointing right-hander Ricky Nolasco, who has been out since July 6 with an elbow problem, could begin throwing off a mound by the end of this week, per the St. Paul Pioneer Press.

Nolasco hopes to perform better upon his return. He owns a 5-7 record and terrible 5.90 ERA this season.

The Phillies are discouraged by the trade offers they have received from teams for left-handed starter Cole Hamels, according to The Boston Globe.

The Red Sox have been one team showing plenty of interest in Hamels. Philadelphia has been scouting Red Sox players -- both in the majors and minors -- all season.

One major-league source said if the Phillies find a team willing to absorb the rest of Hamels' contract and receive three top prospects in return, then the Phillies would deal the veteran lefty. According to another major-league source, Hamels wouldn't mind being traded.

Athletics pitcher Jason Hammel took a loss in an abbreviated outing Saturday, giving up five earned runs on six hits and two walks in two-plus innings and striking out two in his team's 8-4 defeat against the Orioles.

Hammel (8-7) has lost both of his starts with his new team after coming over from the Cubs, and he was doomed from the start Saturday, serving up two home runs in the top of the first inning. He owns a 3.35 ERA, 1.11 WHIP and 109:28 K:BB ratio in 115 2/3 innings. Hammel is slated to take on the Rangers Friday.

Indians pitcher Carlos Carrasco picked up a win in his second straight outing Saturday, striking out one in a scoreless eighth inning in his team's 5-2 win over the Tigers in Game 2 of the day's doubleheader.

Carrasco (3-3) has racked up six scoreless innings in July, and he's given up just two earned runs in 24 innings since May 21. Carrasco owns a 3.67 ERA and 55:15 K:BB ratio in 56 1/3 innings.

Astros pitcher Dallas Keuchel took a loss Saturday after surrendering four runs (three earned) on 12 hits and two walks in five innings and striking out five in his team's 4-3 defeat against the White Sox.

Keuchel (9-6) gave up a run on an infield single and another on a hit-by-pitch, but the decisive run came on a double in the bottom of the fifth that broke a 3-3 tie. He owns a 3.29 ERA, 1.25 WHIP and 92:30 K:BB ratio in 120 1/3 innings. Keuchel is slated to face the Marlins Friday.

Mariners pitcher James Paxton said after Saturday's bullpen session that he suffered no soreness after his first rehab start Thursday, the Seattle Times reports.

Paxton is expected to make two more rehab starts before being re-evaluated by the team, with the next one coming Tuesday with Triple-A Tacoma. He's been limited to two starts this season due to a lat injury.