MLB Player News

Orioles starter Jason Hammel, who took the mound for Baltimore on opening day this season but has since fallen to the No. 5 spot in the rotation, may not remain in the rotation for long if he keeps pitching as he has. Hammel had yet another poor performance Sunday against Boston.

Hammel, who hasn't won a start since May 27 at Washington, took another loss Sunday to fall to 7-8 on the year. He walked a season-high five batters as he consistently had trouble finding the strike zone. Hammel gave up three earned runs on six hits and the five free passes as he needed 97 pitches and lasted just 5 1/3 innings. He struck out three and his ERA is now at 5.20.

The 30-year-old has manager Buck Showalter's patience wearing thin as he's lost three straight starts and has gone 0-6 since his last win over a span of 10 outings. He's walked nine batters in his last 11 1/3 frames and is seemingly getting worse over his last few outings. If Showalter does continue to trot him out every fifth day, Hammel will make his next start Saturday against Seattle.

The Cardinals are continuing their pursuit of White Sox starting pitcher Jake Peavy and shortstop Alexei Ramirez, according to ESPN. Cardinals pitcher Carlos Martinez, pitcher Joe Kelly and second base prospect Kolten Wong have reportedly been mentioned as the names also being talked about in the deal.

Rays starter Alex Cobb, who is returning from a concussion but had his first rehab outing cut short due to a blister, won't return for another rehab start until at least Tuesday, the Tampa Bay Times reports Sunday. 

Cobb made just two pitches before leaving his first rehab outing. The blister on his right index finger remains not sufficiently healed enough for him to take the mound again. He should still be able to rejoin the Tampa Bay rotation within the next few weeks. 

Justin Masterson (12-7) pitched 7 2/3 scoreless innings for his 12th victory as the Indians beat the Rangers 1-0 Saturday night. The right-hander allowed five hits and one walk while striking out eight for his second win in as many starts.

Masterson has allowed only one earned run over 14 2/3 innings pitched over his last two starts. He struck out 16 and walked one during that stretch. He is scheduled to make his next start Thursday at home against the White Sox. The 28-year-old is 3-0 with a stellar 0.72 ERA in three starts against Chicago this season.

Rangers starter Yu Darvish (9-5) was sharp in his second start since returning from the disabled list, but was pegged with loss in a 1-0 defeat to the Indians Saturday night.

Darvish allowed a solo home run to Michael Bourn in the opening frame for his only blemish of the night. The right-hander surrendered one run on three hits and four walks while striking out 11 over six innings pitched.

Darvish has 15 games with 10-plus strikeouts. Dwight Gooden is the only pitcher since 1900 to have more through his first 50 career games. He is scheduled to make his next start Thursday at home against the Diamondbacks. He is 6-3 with a 2.88 ERA in 12 starts at home.

White Sox starter Chris Sale (6-10) was not backed by any run support as he went the distance in a losing effort Saturday night against the Royals. The left-hander permitted one run on seven hits and one walk while striking out seven in a 1-0 defeat.

Sale has lost back-to-back starts despite posting a 1.69 ERA over that span. He also has 18 strikeouts and four walks during that stretch. He is scheduled to make his next start Thursday at Cleveland. He is 0-2 with a 8.03 ERA in two starts against the Indians.

Astros starter Dallas Keuchel managed to get deep into Saturday's game in Toronto. His final line wasn't pretty, but Keuchel did earn himself a victory.

The Houston starter gave up three homers. He gave up solo blasts to Mark DeRosa and Colby Rasmus early in the game before Jose Bautista took him deep for a three-run blast in the eighth. Through all that, Houston built a big lead against Toronto's Josh Johnson. With Jose Veras securing the save, Keuchel moved to 5-5 on the year in the 8-6 win.

Keuchel gave up six runs on 10 hits and a walk over 7 1/3 innings. He struck out six and his ERA is at 4.63. He won for the first time since June 16, but had been pitching fairly well. Keuchel makes his next start Friday at Minnesota.

White Sox starter Jose Quintana (5-3) turned in an effective outing but was hit with a tough-luck loss as he was outdueled by James Shields and the Royals Friday night. The left-hander surrendered two runs on six hits and one walk while striking out five over seven innings pitched in a 5-1 defeat.

Quintana has yielded three earned runs or fewer in each of his last five starts. He is scheduled to make his next start Wednesday at Cleveland. He is 1-0 with a 3.00 ERA in three starts against the Indians this season.

Indians starter Corey Kluber was not at his best as he allowed four runs -- three earned -- on seven hits and one walk while striking out three over six innings pitched in an 11-8 win over the Rangers in extras Friday night. He received a no-decision.

Kluber saw his two-start scoreless streak snapped in his start. He has surrendered 15 earned runs combined over his last six starts (35 innings). He is scheduled to make his next start Wednesday at home against the White Sox.

Rangers starter Martin Perez continued to struggle as he endured his worst start of the season but escaped with a no-decision Friday night against the Indians. The left-hander was shelled for seven runs -- six earned -- on eight hits and two walks while striking out three over three innings pitched in an 11-8 defeat.

Perez has permitted 15 earned runs over his last 15 innings pitched. He is scheduled to make his next start Wednesday at home against the Angels. He is 1-1 with a 1.96 ERA in three starts at home.