MLB Player News

Rays starting pitcher Alex Cobb took the bump Monday night at home against the Rangers in a game with major Wild Card implications. Cobb was outstanding for manager Joe Maddon as he went eight strong innings for the Rays.

Cobb improved to 9-3 on the season with the win as he gave up just two earned runs on six hits and a walk on 106 pitches. He struck out 10 batters for Tampa Bay and lowered his ERA to 3.02.

The 25-year-old won for the first time since Aug. 20 at Baltimore but has finished eight innings twice in his last four starts. Cobb has been solid for the Rays since his return from the disabled list. He makes his next scheduled start Saturday at home against the Orioles.

With Jarrod Parker able to start Monday against the Angels, the Athletics had to push back the next starts of Sonny Gray and A.J. Griffin to Tuesday and Wednesday, respectively, against the Halos, the San Francisco Chronicle reports. 

Indians manager Terry Francona said Monday that starter Justin Masterson could begin throwing off a mound on Friday if he feels alright over the next few days, the Cleveland Plain Dealer reports. 

Masterson is working his way back from a strained left oblique muscle. He is 14-10 with a 3.52 ERA on the year for the Tribe. 

Rangers starter Martin Perez fell to 9-5 with a loss Sunday against Oakland.

Perez gave up three runs on seven hits and two walks over 6 1/3 innings. Perez struck out just three and served up a pair of home runs. His ERA sits at 3.64.

White Sox pitcher Chris Sale fell to 11-13 in Sunday's loss to Cleveland.

Sale was beat up, as he served up six runs on nine hits -- including three home runs -- over 5 2/3 innings. He struck out seven but was dinged with three walks. His ERA is still a pristine 3.08.

The Tampa Tribune reports the Rays are planning on promoting Jake Odorizzi upon the conclusion of the Triple-A title game Tuesday. Odorizzi has made five appearances (four starts) with the Rays this season, going 0-1 with a 5.09 ERA.

The Cleveland Plain Dealer reports Justin Masterson may throw a bullpen session next weekend. After having played catch Thursday and Friday, the Indians' sinkerballer is expected to do more of the same both Sunday and Monday.

Masterson, who is 14-10 with a 3.52 ERA, is working his way back from a strained left oblique.

Mariners pitcher James Paxton (2-0) enjoyed another quality outing as he earned his second win of the season Saturday night against the Cardinals. The left-hander yielded only two hits and two walks while striking out five over six innings of a 4-1 victory.

Paxton has allowed only one earned run over his first two big-league starts (12 innings). He is scheduled to make his third start Thursday at Detroit.

Rangers starter Yu Darvish pitched well Saturday at home against Oakland. Unfortunately, Bartolo Colon couldn't be touched. 

Darvish allowed one run on four hits with one walk and 10 strikeouts and still managed to lose the game to fall to 12-9 on the year. Darvish needed 113 pitches and his ERA is at 2.79. The lone run he allowed came on a Brandon Moss double in the first inning. 

The 27-year-old has now lost his last four starts and hasn't earned a win since Aug. 12 at Houston. That said, he's given up just 10 runs over that four-start stretch spanning 25 2/3 innings with 31 strikeouts. 

Darvish will look to get back on the winning track when he next takes the hill for the Rangers on Thursday at Tampa Bay. 

Indians starter Justin Masterson (oblique) played catch Friday for the second straight day, MLB.com reports. Masterson threw off flat ground. 

Masterson will take Saturday off and attempt to throw again Sunday. He's been out since Sept. 2 due to a strained left oblique, but believes he'll be able to return before the regular season is over.