MLB Player News

Orioles pitcher Jason Hammel was called upon to pitch the final 2 1/3 innings in Wednesday's win over Toronto from Camden Yards. Hammel earned his fourth career save and first of the season in the process. 

Hammel allowed a run to score on four hits with three strikeouts over 2 1/3. He threw 34 pitches and his ERA is now at 5.05 on the year.

Indians starter Justin Masterson, who could return to the rotation in the playoffs for Cleveland, made an appearance out of the bullpen Wednesday in a win over Chicago. 

Masterson closed out the game as he pitched the ninth inning. He gave up a hit but struck out two batters over 17 pitches. His ERA is at 3.50. Masterson was removed from the rotation after recovering from his oblique injury. 

Rangers starter Yu Darvish confirmed that he's dealing with a physical issue that Texas is calling normal wear and tear from a 162-game season, the Fort Worth Star-Telegram reports Wednesday. 

"Well, it’s no more than what’s already out there," manager Ron Washington said Wednesday. "Everybody has issues that they’re dealing with and he’s no different. I always try to tell you guys he’s not Superman. This grind in the major league season in the United States is like no grind anywhere they play baseball because every night you’re facing the best. His issues are no more than what you already know. That’s where the grind comes in. You’ve got to go beyond the call of duty. It becomes mind over matter."

Darvish hasn't lasted at least six innings in consecutive outings for the first time all season after Tuesday's start in which he went 5 1/3 innings against Houston. In his previous start Thursday at the Rays, he went five frames. That said, he did manage to pass 200 innings for the first time in his career. He also leads the majors with 269 strikeouts.

Mariners pitcher James Paxton allowed just four hits over seven scoreless innings while striking out 10 and moving to 3-0 in his team's 4-0 win over the Royals.

Paxton's fourth career start was his best, as he limited the Royals to just two fly balls while walking no batters for the first time. He brings a 1.50 ERA, 0.92 WHIP and 21:7 K:BB ratio into Sunday's finale against the A's.

Rangers pitcher Yu Darvish didn't factor into the decision in his team's 3-2 win over the Astros, surrendering two earned runs on four hits and four walks while striking out nine in 5 1/3 innings.

Darvish gave up his first home run in his last four starts, a solo shot in the sixth inning. He takes a 13-9 record, 2.82 ERA, 1.07 WHIP and 269:78 K:BB ratio into Sunday's finale against the Angels.

Indians pitcher Justin Masterson will pitch out of the bullpen for the rest of the regular season, but could start in the playoffs, according to WTAM.

Masterson has been out since September 2 with an oblique injury. He has a 3.52 ERA in 189 1/3 innings. 

Tigers starter Justin Verlander took the mound Monday for his penultimate start of the regular season at Minnesota. He certainly gave the fans in Minnesota a show.

Verlander mowed down 12 Twins batters over six innings and he didn't give up a run on his outing. Unfortunately, Joaquin Benoit blew the save and he took the no-decision. His record remains 13-12 as he threw 107 pitches and allowed six hits with three walks. Verlander lowered his ERA to 3.56 with the outstanding performance.

The 30-year-old starter has recorded three straight quality starts for Detroit as he's attempting to finish the regular season with a flourish. Verlander will make his final start of the regular season on Sunday at Miami.

White Sox starting pitcher Jose Quintana was sharp on Monday night at home against the Blue Jays as he was able to earn the win.

Quintana improved to 9-6 on the year as he allowed just two earned runs on five hits and one walk over 7 1/3 innings during a quality start. He struck out six batters and lowered his ERA to 3.45.

The starter has won back-to-back outings for the White Sox as he closes out his first real season in the rotation at the age of 24. He's given up just three runs over his last three outings spanning 20 1/3 innings with 17 Ks. Quintana will make his final start of the season on Saturday against Kansas City.

Astros starter Jordan Lyles did not pitch well Monday at Texas. He gave up seven runs over three innings and took the loss.

Lyles fell to 7-9 for the Astros as he allowed seven hits and walked three batters on 74 pitches. He struck out just two batters against the Rangers. His ERA is now at 5.59 on the season.

Houston hasn't lined up the rotation for the final week of the season just yet. Lyles may or may not get another start. If he does, it could come Saturday or Sunday against the Yankees.

Justin Masterson could make his long-awaited return to game action as soon as Tuesday, according to the Cleveland Plain Dealer. Having thrown a 26-pitch simulated game Sunday, Masterson said, "That's as close to pitching in a game as I could get," so his next step could be to rejoin the Indians' staff after Monday's day off.

Masterson's last appearance for the Indians was his Sept. 2 start against the Orioles, as he has been out since then with a strained oblique. He is expected to pitch exclusively as a reliever in whatever appearances he makes over the final week of the regular season.