MLB Player News

Rays pitcher Alex Cobb has been able to play catch the past two days, according to the Tampa Tribune.

Cobb is working his way back from an oblique injury, which is expected to keep him out of action for six-to-eight weeks. While he's still far away from significant action, the fact that he's been able to do some throwing without any issues is a step in the right direction.

Cobb posted a 1.89 ERA over three starts before the injury.

Astros pitcher Dallas Keuchel didn't factor into the decision Saturday after giving up three earned runs on six hits and two walks in 6 1/3 innings while striking out six in his team's 7-6 win over the A's.

Keuchel surrendered two runs in the first inning but pitched well after escaping trouble. His third run came on a sacrifice fly after he left the game, allowing an inherited runner to score, but the Astros bullpen was able to limit the damage. Keuchel owns a 3.56 ERA and 30:8 K:BB ratio in 30 1/3 innings. He's lined up to face the Mariners next weekend, either on Friday or Saturday.

Indians pitcher Carlos Carrasco met with manager Terry Francona and pitching coach Mickey Callaway to address his concerns about his mechanics.

Carrasco worked with Callaway on raising his lead arm in his delivery to create more deception during the offseason. He picked up his third loss on Friday, allowing four runs over six innings pitched against the Giants. He felt as if his velocity went down with the raised slot and gained more velocity when he lowered his left arm.

Callaway showed Carrasco statistical data to support the raised slot.

"We talked to him this morning about it after reading his comments," Callaway said. "I think we're all on the same page on where we want his arm. We want it up. He's throwing harder when his arm is up. It just doesn't feel like it."

Mariners pitcher James Paxton was able to play catch from 45 feet Friday, as he begins to test his strained back. He played catch for five minutes, and anticipates throwing yet again Saturday, according to The News Tribune.

A couple off-days next week will result in Tigers left-hander Drew Smyly again losing a start. He had been scheduled to pitch against the White Sox on Tuesday, but will be used out of the bullpen instead.

Smyly, who will start the following weekend against Kansas City, has made just one start this season. He performed well Wednesday in yielding just two earned runs in six innings and fanning seven in a no-decision against the White Sox.

Blue Jays pitching prospect Marcus Stroman is coming to the big leagues "soon," according to Sportsnet. 

"He’s done very well to date and we think his time is coming soon and it’s just a matter of the right opportunity for him," assistant general manager Tony LaCava said. Stroman has been solid in 20 1/3 innings in the minors. He's posted a 2.18 ERA with 26 strikeouts. It looks like he could be the first callup if the team has issues or injuries with the rotation. 

Indians ace Justin Masterson has been struggling with a dip in velocity that has forced him to at least temporarily change his pitch selection and approach. The results have been mixed. Two poor performances followed an opening-day gem, but he rebounded to pitch well in his last two starts. Yet he remains 0-0.

Masterson threw his four-seam fastball consistently between 95-97 mph last year, pitching coach Mickey Callaway told the Cleveland Plain Dealer. But he has struggled to reach 92 this year. He has therefore thrown more off-speed pitches to record outs, including one slider that traveled to the plate at just 78 mph Tuesday night against Kansas City.

"He can't find that four-seam velocity that he had last year," Callaway said. "I wouldn't say he's reinventing himself, he's just playing the cards that he's been dealt. ... We're working hard toward finding that four-seam velocity again. He's confident he's going to find it. He just doesn't have it right now."

Masterson insists that he's healthy. He has allowed just four runs with 15 strikeouts covering 12 2/3 innings in his last two starts combined. He is hoping that tinkering with his mechanics will allow his fastball to heat up along with the weather.

A poor performance Thursday against the Rays did not prevent Twins ace Ricky Nolasco from nailing down his second victory.

Nolasco benefited from an offensive explosion to snag the win despite giving up six runs on 10 hits in six innings. He walked two and struck out one.

The right-hander, who owns a 6.67 earned run average, will seek to lower it Wednesday against the visiting Dodgers.

White Sox left-hander Jose Quintana pitched well enough to win against most pitchers Thursday, but not against Tigers stud Max Scherzer.

Quintana gave up three runs on seven hits in six innings with no walks and three strikeouts. He gave up single runs in the second, third and fifth innings, the last of which coming on a Rajai Davis home run.

He will seek revenge against the Tigers on Tuesday in Chicago.

Indians right-hander Corey Kluber pitched the first complete game of his career and would have registered a shutout if not for an error by Nick Swisher that led to an unearned run Thursday afternoon against Kansas City.

Kluber lowered his earned run average from 5.40 to 3.90 with the four-hitter in which he threw just 101 pitches, walked none and struck out 11. He has yielded nine earned runs in 32 innings since a disastrous first start of the season in Oakland.

The last Indians pitcher to throw a complete game at home with 11 or more strikeouts and no walks was Len Barker in 1981. And that was a perfect game.

Kluber will seek to maintain his momentum in his next start Tuesday against the host Angels.