MLB Player News

Indians teammates Jason Kipnis and Corey Kluber shared AL player of the week honors for June 10-16. Kluber won both of his starts last week, posting a 0.56 ERA and .232 opponents' batting average in 16 innings.

Kluber also struck out 11, walked three baters and allowed 13 hits. 

Tigers reliever Drew Smyly is in the unique position of having dual-speculative value. On one hand, if Anibal Sanchez needs to go on the DL, Smyly could take his spot in the rotation. However, with Jose Valverde's grip on the closer job loosening a bit lately (and Jose Alvarez making the last spot start for Sanchez), Smyly could also find himself as a darkhorse closer candidate. 

Two weeks ago, the Tigers adjusted Smyly's role from long relief to more late-inning short-stint work. He's pitched in the eighth or ninth inning in all five June appearances. The Tigers were reluctant to use Joaquin Benoit in save situations earlier in the year and their next-best option, Bruce Rondon, is in the minors. Smyly, meanwhile, has been solid all season, and has maintained a 2.09 ERA while striking out a batter per inning. 

Smyly could end up staying in middle relief the entire season, but he's talented enough to merit a speculative add for an owner looking for value in unlikely places. Owned in 23 percent of leagues, Smyly could be a decent gamble in 14-team Roto leagues or deeper. 

Coming off his strongest start of the season, Astros pitcher Jordan Lyles has been one of the most added players in Fantasy leagues. 

Lyles is just 22 years old, and was a highly touted Astros prospect prior to the 2011 season. Making his major-league debut at age 20, it was clear he was rushed. But this year, he finally seems to be figuring things out. Lyles' 3.48 ERA is out of line considering his past performances, but the advanced numbers show that his improvement is legitimate. Lyles' FIP is a solid 3.78 indicating that his numbers aren't a big fluke.

His strikeouts are up this year, mainly due to an improved curveball. Lyles' whiff rate with the pitch is up to 13.49 percent this year, according to BrooksBaseball.net. While that's not elite, it's the first time in his career the pitch has a double-digit whiff rate. Lyles pitches for the lowly Astros, so it will be tough to get wins, but he's a solid add, and should be owned in more than 32 percent of leagues. 

The Rays announced Monday starting pitcher Jake Odorizzi will be recalled from Triple-A Durham to start the second game of Tuesday's doubleheader against the Red Sox. Odorizzi, who is one of the top pitching prospects in baseball, has a pair of no-decisions, 9.00 ERA and 1.67 WHIP in two starts for Tampa Bay this season.

Astros starting pitcher Dallas Keuchel held the White Sox to two runs in 6 1/3 innings Sunday, leading Houston to a 5-4 victory. Keuchel (4-3) allowed four hits and two walks, while striking out four.

The left-hander won for the third time in three starts and for the fourth time in his last six starts. Keuchel has allowed two or fewer earned runs in four straight starts and has gone at least six innings in six consecutive starts.

Keuchel will start Friday against the Cubs.

Orioles starter Jason Hammel, who has an illness and was bumped from his scheduled start Monday at Detroit, could get pushed back just a day to Tuesday, MASNSports.com reports. 

Hammel's illness is not a major concern and the Orioles will go with Jake Arrieta as the starter Monday. 

Indians starter Corey Kluber threw eight shutout innings Sunday for a home win over the Nationals. Kluber gave up seven hits and survived a bases-loaded jam in the seventh inning, but earned the win.

Kluber improved to 5-4 on the season as he didn't walk a batter over 114 pitches and eight shutout frames with eight Ks. He got a lineout double play to protect the scoreless advantage in the seventh and went 1-2-3 in the eighth to finish his afternoon.

Kluber, who lowered his ERA to 3.58 with the performance, has won back-to-back outings with just one run allowed over 16 innings with 11 strikeouts over that span. He's rolling right now and is scheduled for his next start Saturday against Minnesota.

The Rays placed starter Alex Cobb, who was released from the hospital Sunday, on the 7-day disabled list for concussions, the Tampa Bay Times reports. The Rays recalled reliever Josh Lueke in his place. 

Orioles starter Jason Hammel returned to the clubhouse Sunday after being away from the team the last two days with a stomach virus. That said, Hammel said it is unlikely he'll be able to make his scheduled start Monday against the Tigers, The Baltimore Sun reports. 

Baltimore scratched Zach Britton from his scheduled Sunday start with Triple-A Norfolk and are likely to hand him the ball in Detroit. Hammel may only get pushed back a few days. 

The Rays said that starter Alex Cobb will be released from the hospital Sunday, but he won't make it to Tropicana Field for the game against the Royals, the Tampa Bay Times reports. 

There is no timetable for Cobbs' return. Cobb left Saturday's start against the Royals in the fifth inning after being struck in the head by a line drive. 

All tests on Cobb came back normal. He was treated for an issue dealing with draining in his ear, but only has a mild concussion.