MLB Player News

Indians pitcher Corey Kluber has been cleared to return Friday for a start against the Mets, the Cleveland Plain Dealer reports. Kluber, who has been out since Aug. 5 with a finger injury, owns a 3.54 ERA and 116 strikeouts over 122 innings.

Orioles pitching prospect Kevin Gausman earned a victory, his second in the majors, Sunday in New York. Gausman came on for an ineffective Wei-Yin Chen in the fifth inning and Baltimore came back to win.

Gausman improved to 2-3 in the big leagues as he went two scoreless frames in his second outing in as many days for the Orioles. He gave up one hit and walked a batter as he struck out three over 36 pitches. His ERA on the year is at 5.70.

The 22-year-old flame-thrower has gone three scoreless innings in his last two times out with one hit allowed, one walk and five Ks. This constituties his first action in his latest recall with the club. There is some chance that Gausman could make a start for the Orioles before the year is out.

Tigers starter Justin Verlander looked like his vintage self Sunday afternoon against Cleveland. He still couldn't come away the winning pitcher on the outing.

Verlander took a no-decision after seven shutout innings against the Indians as Danny Salazar was also good for the Tribe. Verlander threw 116 pitches as he allowed just four hits with two walks and six strikeouts. His ERA is at 3.59 on the year.

The 30-year-old Verlander has lost his last two decisions and had allowed nine runs over 12 innings his last two times out before his gem Sunday. Hopefully this starts another string of solid pitching for the Tigers' ace. His next start is scheduled for Saturday at Kansas City.

Athletics starter Sonny Gray (2-2) turned in an impressive performance as he earned his second win of the season Saturday night against the Rays. The right-hander yielded five hits and one walk while striking out seven over 6 2/3 scoreless innings of a 2-1 victory.

Gray has allowed two earned runs or fewer in four of his first five starts this season. He is scheduled to make his next start Thursday at home against the Astros. He tossed eight scoreless innings in his previous meeting against the Astros on Aug. 15.

Rays starter Alex Cobb (8-3) turned in an impressive start as he went the distance, but was not backed by enough run support as he took the loss Saturday night against the A's. The right-hander surrendered two runs on five hits and four walks while striking out seven over eight innings of a 2-1 defeat.

Cobb has allowed two earned runs or fewer in nine of his last 10 starts. He is scheduled to make his next start Thursday against the Angels in Los Angeles.

Astros starting pitcher Dallas Keuchel (5-8) tossed a quality start but was not backed by enough run support as he suffered his eighth loss of the season Saturday night against the Mariners. The left-hander allowed three runs on four hits and two walks while striking out eight over seven innings of a 3-1 defeat.

Keuchel has surrendered 12 earned runs combined over his last four starts (26 2/3 innings). He is scheduled to make his next start Friday at Oakland. He is 0-1 with a 4.00 ERA in four appearances (two starts) against the A's this season.

Indians pitcher Corey Kluber (finger) could be ready to return from the disabled list Friday against the Mets, according to The Plain Dealer.

Kluber is scheduled to throw a simulated game on Monday, which could be his final hurdle. Pitching coach Mickey Callaway told the newspaper that the right-hander has not lost any arm strength.

"He was only shut down for a week so he was able to keep his velocity," Callaway said.

New Indians addition Jason Kubel officially joined the roster Saturday with Cleveland optioning pitcher Carlos Carrasco to Triple-A Columbus, MLB.com reports.

The 26-year-old Carrasco went 1-4 with a 6.85 ERA over 11 appearances and seven starts for the Indians this season. He has 28 strikeouts over 43 1/3 innings pitched.

Mariners pitching prospect Taijuan Walker made his major-league debut Friday, allowing just one unearned run on two hits and one walk while striking out two in five innings and picking up the win as the Mariners defeated the Astros, 7-1.

While the low strikeout total is a little surprising with the Astros' free-swinging ways and Walker's 10.2 K/9 ratio in the minors this season, he acquitted himself well in his debut. Next up should be the Royals Wednesday.

Rangers pitcher Yu Darvish took a no-hitter into the seventh inning Friday before surrendereing two home runs and ultimately being saddled with the loss as the Rangers fell to the Twins, 3-2. Darvish gave up three earned runs on three hits (all in the seventh inning) while walking two and striking out 11 in 6 2/3 innings.

Darvish has struck out 11 batters or more in five of his last seven starts, but he's winless in his last three tries. He brings a 12-6 record, 2.73 ERA, 1.02 WHIP and 236:60 K:BB ratio into Wednesday's start against the A's.