MLB Player News

Twins starting pitcher Kyle Gibson could not record a quality start on Wednesday afternoon at home against Cleveland. In line for a victory when he left the game, his bullpen couldn't even get him a win.

Gibson's record remains 2-3 on the season as he surrendered three earned runs on six hits and two walks over 5 1/3 innings in the no-decision. He threw 88 pitches and was removed after recording one out in the sixth. Gibson struck out three batters and his ERA is at 6.27.

The 25-year-old rookie was making just his ninth major league start for Minnesota Wednesday. He's had a couple very good outings but has mostly struggled against big league hitting. The good news was he kept the Indians in the ballpark Wednesday. The Twins will next hand the ball to Gibson to start on Monday in a one-game series against the Mets.

Indians starting pitcher Carlos Carrasco returned to the rotation Wednesday afternoon for a start at Minnesota. The Twins didn't have much trouble as they teed off against the Cleveland starter for 10 hits over just 4 1/3 innings.

Carrasco surrendered four earned runs and the Cleveland bullpen wasn't much better. The starter avoided taking the loss as neither bullpen was very good in a high-scoring ballgame. Carrasco took the no-decision as he remains winless at 0-4 on the year. Carrasco didn't walk a batter and struck out four over 71 pitches in his first appearance as a starter since July 6.

Carrasco, who has a 7.82 ERA on the season, gave up just one hit over five shutout innings in relief in his last time out on Aug. 9 against the Angels. It was a different story as a starter and it has been all season.

Carrasco replaced Scott Kazmir in the rotation but may not get another start. He currently doesn't have his next start scheduled. If he does get another start, it would likely come in the series at Anaheim.

The Orioles are skipping Kevin Gausman in the rotation at Triple-A Norfolk in order to keep his arm fresh, MASNSports.com reports Wednesday. Steve Johnson will return to the rotation and start for the Tides. 

Gausman has gone 0-2 over his last six appearances with the Tides since being demoted by the Orioles. He has a 5.20 ERA with 22 strikeouts over 27 2/3 innings. 

Johnson has gone 1-2 with Norfolk overall this season over nine appearances and seven starts. He's gone six scoreless innings in his last two relief appearances with four strikeouts and just three hits allowed. 

Orioles starting pitcher Kevin Gausman was scratched from his start Wednesday for Triple-A Norfolk, according to MASNsports.com. Gausman is not being added to the major-league roster, but he was skipped because the team is monitoring his innings.

Houston starter Jordan Lyles was extremely sharp Tuesday night in a win at Oakland. Lyles kept the Oakland bats down over seven solid innings for the victory.

Lyles improved to 5-6 as he's one game away from reaching .500. He gave up just one earned run on five hits and two walks over seven outstanding innings in the quality start. He struck out three and threw 99 pitches. His ERA is now at 5.13.

The 22-year-old Lyles earned his first win since June 18 when he moved to 4-1. He's been atrocious of late as he entered Tuesday's outing having allowed 24 earned runs over his previous four outings spanning 19 1/3 innings with three losses over that stretch.

Houston is hoping Lyles' solid performance Tuesday puts him back on the right track. The Astros continue to roll with a six-man pitching rotation. That should put Lyles on schedule to make his next start Monday at Texas.

Rays starting pitcher Alex Cobb is ready to return from the disabled list for Thursday's start against the Mariners, his first since taking a line drive off his head June 15.

"I'll probably get those first-time-out jitters and the adrenaline going," Cobb told MLB.com Tuesday. "I'm really looking forward to getting out there again."

Rays manager Joe Maddon said he will likely limit Cobb to around 90 pitches in his first start. He had a 3.01 ERA and 6-2 record prior to the injury. 

Orioles starter Jason Hammel, who recently received a cortisone injection in his injured forearm, will resume throwing Friday, The Baltimore Sun reports Tuesday. 

Hammel said he felt much better following the cortisone shot. Baltimore is expected to take things slowly with Hammel's return. He's nursing a right flexor mass strain in the forearm. 

Rays manager Joe Maddon once again said Tuesday that it appears starter Alex Cobb will return to the starting mound Thursday against Seattle, the Tampa Bay Times reports. 

Cobb finished his rehab assignment last Friday. Cobb was 6-2 with a 3.01 ERA for the Rays before getting injured.

Indians starting pitcher Corey Kluber (finger) played a brief round of catch Tuesday, according to The Plain Dealer. It's the first time he's thrown since injuring his finger Aug. 5.

Kluber is still weeks away from returning to the Indians' rotation. The original diagnosis was 4-6 weeks.

Indians manager Terry Francona announced Monday his rotation plans for this weekend's series at Oakland, which starts Friday. Francona flipped Friday and Saturday's starters, while inserting Scott Kazmir back into the rotation after giving him extra rest for arm fatigue.

"Kaz is doing well," Francona said, per The Plain Dealer. "So in Oakland we'll start Justin Masterson, Ubaldo Jimenez and Kazmir. The day off really helps us out there."