MLB Player News

Astros starting pitcher Dallas Keuchel (6-9) ran into trouble but pitched well enough to earn a win Friday night against the Angels. The left-hander allowed six runs on 10 hits and two walks while striking out nine over 5 2/3 innings of a 9-7 victory.

Keuchel has surrendered 14 earned runs combined over his last six starts (16 innings). He is scheduled to make his next start Wednesday at home against Cincinnati.

Tigers starter Justin Verlander (13-11) turned in a solid outing as he got back to his winning ways, snapping a six-start winless skid Friday night against the Royals. The right-hander surrendered three runs on nine hits and no walks while striking out seven over 6 2/3 innings of a 6-3 victory.

Verlander has allowed three earned runs or more in three of his last four starts. He'll look to keep things going Wednesday at home against Seattle. He yielded two runs over seven innings pitched in his previous meeting against the Mariners on April 18.

Orioles pitcher Jason Hammel was not at his best as he managed to escape with a no-decision Friday night at Toronto. The right-hander was charged with three runs on three hits and one walk while striking out two over five innings pitched in a 5-3 victory.

Hammel has allowed nine earned runs over his last 18 1/3 innings pitched. He is scheduled to make his next start Thursday at Boston. He yielded three runs over 5 1/3 innings of work in his previous meeting against the Red Sox on July 28.

Indians pitcher Corey Kluber moved to 9-5 Thursday, giving up two earned runs on six hits and one walk while striking out two in five innings in his team's 14-3 win over the White Sox.

It was Kluber's second straight win after returning to the rotation earlier this month, and he hasn't lost since June, going 3-0 over his last nine starts. He takes a 3.55 ERA, 1.20 WHIP and 123:28 K:BB ratio into Tuesday's scheduled start against the Royals.

Indians pitcher Justin Masterson played catch from 90 feet Thursday and felt fine, the Cleveland Plain Dealer reports.

Out with an oblique strain, Masterson is working towards returning this season. He is 14-10 with a 3.52 ERA, 1.22 WHIP and 188:75 K:BB ratio in 189 1/3 innings.

White Sox starter Jose Quintana got the ball for Chicago on Wednesday against the Detroit Tigers. Despite tossing seven scoreless innings he was forced to settle for a no-decision in a 1-0 pitcher's duel.

Quintana limited the Tigers to just five hits and a pair of walks over his seven innings of work, going pitch-for-pitch with Anibal Sanchez throughout. He struck out six, while throwing 72 of 114 pitches for strikes. Quintana exited the game in a scoreless tie, and took a no-decision when the bullpen slipped in the eighth inning.

Quintana is winless in his last five starts, despite a 3.03 ERA in that span. He makes his next scheduled start for Chicago on Tuesday against Minnesota.

Athletics starting pitcher Sonny Gray matched up opposite Mike Pelfrey on Wednesday night in Minnesota. It was no contest when all was said and done in the 18-3 win. 

Gray earned the win to improve to .500 at 3-3 on the season. He received plenty of offensive support as Oakland scored 10 times in the fourth inning alone and didn't stop there. Gray cruised to victory as he allowed two earned runs on four hits and three walks over five innings. He threw 91 pitches and struck out seven.

Gray has gone 2-1 in his last three starts but has allowed just four runs over that span of 19 2/3 innings with 21 Ks. The youngster has been a nice starter for the Athletics down the stretch. He'll make his next scheduled start Monday to open a series at home against the Angels.

Rays starter Alex Cobb just missed a quality start Wednesday and ended up taking a no-decision as the Rays came back late on the Red Sox from Tampa Bay.

Cobb gave up three earned runs on seven hits and three walks over 5 2/3 innings. He threw 98 pitches and struck out four batters. His ERA is 3.08.

The 25-year-old hasn't won since Aug. 20 at Baltimore, a span of four starts, but has continued to pitch well. Cobb has come back to form for the Rays down the stretch and makes his next start for manager Joe Maddon on Monday to open a series at home against Texas.

The Orioles have made a rotation change as Jason Hammel is now scheduled to start Friday at Toronto instead of Bud Norris. Baltimore manager Buck Showalter has not said if Norris is scratched or simply moved back, The Baltimore Sun reports. 

Hammel has not started for the Orioles since July due to a right forearm strain. He claims to be healthier now than he's been all year. He appeared in one game since his return and went two innings in relief. Hammel gave up no runs on one walk and one hit with one strikeout to lower his ERA to 5.11 on the season. 

Norris, who won't start in the series against Toronto, has gone 4-2 over nine appearances and eight starts since coming over from Houston. He has a 4.67 ERA and struggled his last time out in a loss to the White Sox. 

Astros starter Jordan Lyles took the bump Tuesday at Seattle. Despite a high pitch count of 108 over six innings, Lyles was able to get plenty of support and earned a win over the Mariners.

Lyles improved to .500 at 7-7 on the year as he gave up just two runs -- one earned -- on four hits and two walks over six innings. He struck out five and lowered his ERA to 4.92.

The 22-year-old, the youngest pitcher on a young staff for the Astros, has thrown quality starts in three straight outings now as he looks to finish the season strong. Lyles makes his next start for manager Bo Porter on Monday against Cincinnati.