MLB Player News

Athletics starter Sonny Gray made his first major league start Saturday afternoon in Toronto. Pitching in Rogers Centre, Gray suffered his first big-league loss.

Gray (0-1) gave up just two earned runs, but four total, on four hits and three walks over six innings in defeat. He struck out five and was hurt by a Jose Bautista two-run homer in the first inning. Gray threw 94 pitches on the outing.

The 23-year-old has appeared in three games for the A's and this was his first start. He has a 1.80 ERA after 10 innings with just two earned runs allowed and 11 strikeouts. Pitching in Tommy Milone's vacated rotation spot, Gray makes his next start Thursday against Houston.

The Rays said Saturday that starter Alex Cobb came through his rehab appearance Friday for Class A Charlotte fine, the Tampa Bay Times reports. Cobb is scheduled to come off the disabled list and start for Tampa Bay Thursday against Seattle. 

Cobb took the loss Friday as he allowed three earned runs on five hits and two walks over 4 1/3 innings. He struck out five. 

Cobb was 6-2 with a 3.01 ERA for the Rays before getting injured. 

Orioles starting pitcher Jason Hammel visited Dr. James Andrews and received a cortisone injection Friday, according to MLB.com. He underwent an MRI and was diagnosed with tightness near the forearm/elbow area. He is not expected to return Tuesday, his first day eligible from the disabled list.

"It's better than it was before the injection, but it's still not completely resolved," manager Buck Showalter said.

Twins starting pitcher Kyle Gibson's longball habit continued to be a problem Friday, as he allowed two in a 7-5 win over the White Sox in the first game of a doubleheader.

Gibson allowed three runs in five-plus innings, with all of them coming by way of home runs. He gave up a solo home run to Paul Konerko in the second inning and then gave up a two-run shot in the fifth to Alexei Ramirez. Gibson has now allowed seven home runs in his last four starts.

Gibson was charged with three runs in 5 2/3 innings on four hits, four walks and four strikeouts, and he exited the game in line for a loss. He got off the hook for a loss as the Twins rallied late, and he settled for a no-decision.

Gibson is now 2-3 with a 6.43 ERA in eight starts. He is expected to make his next start Friday against the Indians. 

Athletics manager Bob Melvin confirmed the team's plans to recall Sonny Gray to join the rotation Saturday, and he will assume Tommy Milone's spot in the rotation. Gray will be called up from Triple-A Sacramento to make his first major-league start Saturday, and he is expected to remain in the rotation for the time being.

Gray is a former top prospect who has a 3.42 ERA in 118 1/3 innings with Triple-A Sacramento. He has struck out 118 batters and walked 39, in a bounceback campaign after falling off Baseball America's Top 100 prospects list this offseason. 

Indians pitcher Carlos Carrasco was recalled from Triple-A Columbus Friday, to take the place of Preston Guilmet, who was sent down.

Carrasco will be used as a reliever, after he posted a 9.10 ERA in six starts earlier in the season for Cleveland. Carrasco had a 3.14 ERA at Triple-A. 

Blue Jays general manager Alex Anthopoulos said pitcher Marcus Stroman and Sean Nolin could see some time in the majors this year, according to SportsNet.

Anthopoulos says the team has talked about the possibility of both players coming up. He also mentioned Kyle Drabek and Drew Hutchinson as potential players they could use. One of those players could be called upon if Josh Johnson continues to struggle. Anthopoulos admitted the team would have to make a change if Johnson's issues continued. 

Rangers starter Yu Darvish had some tightness in his gluteus maximus muscle during his Wednesday start against the Angels, according to the Dallas Morning News.

Darvish was able to remain in the game, and said the injury felt better as the game went on. It did not hinder his routine after the game. Darvish has a 2.72 ERA in 145 2/3 innings. 

Orioles starting pitcher Jason Hammel (forearm) is expected to attempt to throw again Friday, MLB.com reports. Hammel felt some discomfort while attempting to throw Tuesday. 

Placed on the disabled list last week with a right flexor mass strain in his forearm, Hammel is now likely not going to be able to return when first eligible. 

The Astros will use a six-man rotation for the time being, as they hope to find more room for some young starters on the roster. Manager Bo Porter told the Houston Chronicle Wednesday the team will go through the rotation once before re-evaluating their plans.

"We'll run it and see. You look at the woes we've had in the bullpen, I think our six starters give us the best opportunity to win," Porter said. "With those (starters) having an extra day, it allows us to put one of those guys in the bullpen."

The schedule will set up with Jarred Cosart starting Wednesday against the Red Sox, followed by Erik Bedard opening a three-game set with the Rangers Friday. He will be followed by Brad Peacock, Dallas Keuchel and Brett Oberholtzer in that series. Jordan Lyles will round out the rotation Tuesday against the Athletics.