MLB Player News

Astros starting pitcher Jordan Lyles endured another rough start but escpaed with a no-decision Friday night against the Blue Jays. The right-hander allowed four runs on nine hits and three walks while striking out one over five innings pitched in a 12-6 defeat.

Lyles has allowed 17 earned runs combined over his past three starts (15 1/3 innings). he is scheduled to make his next start Thursday at Baltimore.

In terms of pure numbers, Justin Verlander's start Thursday at the White Sox was one of his worst yet. But his comments afterward suggest reason for optimism:

"Today, as funny as it sounds, was a step in the right direction," the Tigers ace said. "I thought my stuff was the best it's been all year. It was just a little erratic."

Obviously, talk is cheap. Until the results back up Verlander's claims, they're nothing more than hot air. But I see enough positive signs with him to hold out hope for a turnaround.

People have been quick to blame a drop in velocity for Verlander's struggles, but he was hitting 99 mph with his fastball Thursday. He averaged 94.5 mph with it, which is actually a little faster than the 94.3 mph he averaged with it last year. In his previous start July 20, he threw even harder, averaging 94.9 mph.

I don't think stuff is his issue at all. Considering his walk rate is the highest its been since 2008, when he compiled a 4.84 ERA, I think it's more a matter of command. He can get that back a little easier than he can lost velocity, and if he feels like he's inching that direction, I'm willing to give him the benefit of the doubt.

Tigers starter Justin Verlander was pounded again Thursday against the White Sox.

Verlander gave up seven runs on 11 hits over six innings. Verlander was saddled with the loss. Verlander has now given up at least five runs three times in the last four games. His ERA has jumped to 3.99 on the year. 

Rays starter Alex Cobb will not throw a bullpen session Sunday, according to the Tampa Bay Times. 

Cobb was pulled from Tuesday's rehab start after just two pitches with a blister issue. He was expected to throw again Sunday, but that has been pushed back at least a day. It's been reported that Cobb will need three to four starts before he's ready to return.

Cobb has a 3.01 ERA in 83 2/3 innings. 

Rangers prospect pitcher Neil Ramirez has been placed on the minor league disabled list at Double-A Frisco with a biceps strain, the Fort Worth Star-Telegram reports.

Ramirez was initially projected to be a part of the Cubs-Rangers trade that sent Matt Garza to Texas, but his biceps strain was apparently the injury snag that held up the deal. If the Cubs are satisfied with his recovery from the injury, he could still end up heading to Chicago as a player to be named later in the deal. It's unclear when he will return from the injury, however.

Minnesota Twins rookie starter Kyle Gibson pitched well Tuesday night at the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim. Gibson put together a quality start and took a no-decision as he left the game tied at two runs apiece.

Gibson (2-2) surrendered just the two earned runs, each coming on solo homers in the bottom of the fourth inning, on five hits and a walk over six solid frames. He threw 94 pitches and struck out four batters. The quality outing lowered Gibson's high ERA to 5.86.

The 25-year-old was making just his fifth career start and is beginning to put it together after a rocky first few outings. Gibson has allowed four earned runs in his last two starts spanning 11 innings with a win and a no-decision in those appearances. Slowly improving, Gibson makes his next start on Sunday at Seattle.

Baltimore starter Jason Hammel has not joined the Orioles' solid pitching party as he struggled once again Tuesday night in Kansas City. Hammel ended up recording a quality start, but he was pitching with runners on base all night in the defeat.

Hammel took the loss on the outing as Baltimore struggled to score against Bruce Chen. He falls to .500 at 7-7 as he allowed three earned runs on 10 hits and four walks scattered over six innings. He threw 107 pitches and constantly allowed the leadoff batter to reach. Hammel struck out four batters and his ERA is at 5.20 on the year.

The 30-year-old Hammel has been dropped to the No. 5 spot in the rotation for the Orioles and manager Buck Showalter. That puts him on track to make his next scheduled start Sunday against Boston and he'll hope to begin turning his season around at that point.

Indians starter Corey Kluber will start Friday as planned, MLB.com reports Tuesday. He threw a bullpen session Tuesday and had no issues after he experienced left hip and hamstring tightness Saturday. 

Kluber has made 16 starts for the Indians this season and has gone 7-5 with a 3.69 ERA. He gave up just three hits over five shutout innings with seven strikeouts in his last outing at Minnesota. 

The Rangers are expected to send pitcher Neil Ramirez over to the Cubs as the fourth and final player in the trade that brought Matt Garza to Texas, the Dallas Morning News reports Tuesday. 

Ramirez was one of Chicago's top choices as the player to be named later, but left his last game with Double-A Frisco after just three innings due to a shoulder issue. Ramirez going to the Cubs has not become official yet. 

Rays starter Alex Cobb, who has been out since June 15 with a concussion and leg injury, began a rehab assignment with Class A Charlotte Tuesday. Unfortunately, it lasted just two pitches before he was checked by a trainer and subsequently removed from the game, The Tampa Tribune reports. 

Cobb had been dealing with a blister on his throwing hand and was removed from the game for that reason, the Tampa Bay Times reports. The blister is on his right middle finger, according to the Rays. Cobb said he expects to make his next rehab start.