MLB Player News

Astros pitcher Jordan Lyles produced his first career save Monday night in Chicago. He was the third pitcher used in the ninth inning.

Lyles took over after Joshua Zeid and Kevin Chapman loaded the bases on two walks and a double. Making just his second appearance out of the bullpen, Lyles struck out the only batter he faced on six pitches.

Lyles lowered his ERA to 5.15 on the process. The 22-year-old started for Houston just three days ago and moved to 6-6 with a win over Toronto. He is scheduled to make his next start Friday against the Mariners, but that may change now, though he did only throw six pitches.

The Mariners designated Aaron Harang for assignment Monday and that may have opened a rotation spot for Taijuan Walker, The Seattle Times suggests. 

Mariners GM Jack Zduriencik hinted last week that Walker may be included in September callups. 

For now, nothing seems to be imminent for Walker, who has gone 5-3 with a 3.61 ERA over 11 starts since being promoted to Triple-A Tacoma. He has 64 strikeouts in 57 1/3 innings with Tacoma. 

Rays starter Alex Cobb got the start Sunday at home against the New York Yankees. It wasn't the best performance of Cobb's season as he settled happily for a no-decision.

Cobb gave up a homer and RBI double to Robinson Cano during his time on the mound. Otherwise, the Yankees couldn't get to him. He allowed two earned runs on seven hits and three walks over 5 2/3 innings. His pitch count was elevated as he threw 100 with five strikeouts. Cobb's ERA is at 2.87.

The 25-year-old Cobb had been sensational for the Rays since coming back from the scary head injury he suffered when a line drive was hit at his head. He won his previous two outings with just two runs allowed over 11 innings and 11 Ks over that stretch. He's mowed down 16 batters over his last 16 2/3.

Although he wasn't at his best Sunday, he was still good enough to keep the Rays in the game. Cobb will make his next start for manager Joe Maddon on Friday at Oakland.

Astros starter Dallas Keuchel had an excellent outing wasted by his bullpen Sunday against the Blue Jays. Keuchel went seven shutout innings but had to settle for a no-decision. 

Keuchel gave up just four hits and three walks over seven innings and 105 pitches. He struck out two batters and lowered his ERA to 4.82. 

Unfortunately, Chia-Jen Lo allowed the Rangers to come back and take a lead in the ninth. 

The 25-year-old Keuchel hasn't earned a win since July 27 at Toronto. He's been the victim of a poor Houston bullpen. Keuchel is projected to make his next start Saturday against Seattle. 

Athletics starter Sonny Gray has been fantastic to open his career for Oakland as he took the mound Sunday in Baltimore. His afternoon start against the Orioles certainly wasn't one of his better outings.

Gray suffered his second loss as a major leaguer as he fell to 1-2 with the defeat. He had allowed just four earned runs over his first three starts spanning 21 innings, but surrendered a career-high six Sunday against Baltimore. Gray gave up eight hits and walked two batters over just 3 1/3 innings. He struck out three as his ERA grew to 3.18.

Gray had been lights out before Sunday's outing and likely suffered only a minor hiccup. He will make his next scheduled start for the A's on Friday against Tampa Bay.

Orioles pitcher Jason Hammel threw 60 pitches in the bullpen Sunday, MASNSports.com reports. He is expected to report to Double-A Bowie for Thursday's game against Bighamton. 

"As of right now, everything is good to go," Hammel said. "I threw an extra inning's worth of pitches today. I probably threw 45 like I did yesterday, and then after that I did some sequences, throwing all pitches to simulated batters, stuff like that."

Hammel is expected to throw 45-50 pitches Thursday. He will pitch twice in the minors before coming off the DL when rosters expand. He is anticipated to return in relief for the Orioles. 

Rangers pitcher Yu Darvish struck out 11 batters but wound up with the no-decision Saturday after holding the White Sox to two earned runs on six hits and three walks in seven innings.

Darvish also gave Rangers fans a scare when he pulled up limping after rushing to cover the plate on a pitch in the dirt in the seventh inning. He was checked out by the trainer and left in the game to finish the inning. The team announced after the game that he suffered cramping in his calves.

Darvish, who has rattled off seven straight quality starts, is 12-5 with a 2.68 ERA, 1.04 WHIP and 225:58 K:BB ratio heading into Friday's start against the Twins.

The Orioles may not wait until September's roster expansion to call on pitching prospect Kevin Gausman as a reinforcement for the bullpen. Manager Buck Showalter told MLB.com the team could recall the 22-year-old from Triple-A Norfolk prior to his next scheduled start, which is set for Monday.

The Orioles may try to send a start down to open a spot for Gausman, since the team's schedule allows them to skip a starter without needing an extra one. 

Indians starting pitcher Corey Kluber will throw off a mound for the first time Monday, in a bullpen session. Kluber has been limited to just long toss sessions since hitting the disabled list at the beginning of the month with a strained right middle finger.  

Orioles starting pitcher Jason Hammel will throw off a mound for the second time Sunday, and will likely begin his minor-league rehab assignment shortly after. Hammel is likely to return in a relief role, according to MLB.com, so he might only need one rehab appearance. He is expected to throw 45-50 pitches for Double-A Bowie Thursday, as he continues his recovery from a forearm injury.