MLB Player News

Rays starter Alex Cobb did not expect to be bothered by his finger issue entering Wednesday's start in Detroit. If it bothered him, you wouldn't know it by his performance.

Cobb was masterful as he pitched 7 2/3 shutout innings against the dangerous Tigers offense. Unfortunately, he took a no-decision as Doug Fister matched him with eight shutout frames of his own until finally giving up the lead after Cobb left. Cobb allowed just five base hits, walked three and struck out seven over 108 pitches.

Cobb was pushed back a few times before this start and hadn't been on the bump since May 26 against the Yankees. He's won his last three decisions and can put his finger injury behind him with Wednesday's supreme effort. Cobb makes his next start and will look to move to 7-2 on the year on Monday against Boston.

Orioles starter Jason Hammel was confused when speaking with reporters earlier Wednesday. He thought he was starting next Thursday against Houston, but is officially making his next start Friday in Tampa Bay. Miguel Gonzalez will, indeed, start Thursday against the Astros, as originally expected, MLB.com reports. 

Orioles starter Jason Hammel will start Thursday against the Astros, MLB.com reports. Miguel Gonzalez will be pushed back from Thursday to Friday at Tampa Bay. 

Hammel is pushed up due to his short outing his last time out. Hammel threw 63 pitches in his last start against Detroit. He took the loss to fall to 7-3 with a 5.43 ERA as he went three innings with five runs allowed. Hammel is 2-2 over his last four outings with a 6.45 ERA. His ERA was 2.45 in the two wins. 

Indians starter Corey Kluber allowed six runs (four earned) on seven hits and a walk in a loss Wednesday against the Yankees.

Kluber served up a pair of home runs to account for five of the six runs scored off him. He did manage eight strikeouts and 14 swinging strikes, but he was just hit hard too many times to keep runs off the board. He fell to 3-4 with a 4.56 ERA.

The Tigers have adjusted Drew Smyly's bullpen role, MLB.com reports.

Jim Leyland originally wanted Smyly to be used in long relief so that he could easily be transitioned back into a starter, if needed. Now, the Tigers will put Smyly in more late-game situations due to his ability to get hitters out from both sides of the plate. 

Orioles manager Buck Showalter could decide to push up Jason Hammel's next start to Thursday at Houston, instead of Friday at Tampa Bay, due to his short outing in his last start, MLB.com reports Tuesday. 

That would push back Miguel Gonzalez and Kevin Gausman's starting dates by a day, though Showalter has not made the decision yet. 

Hammel threw 63 pitches in his last start against Detroit. He took the loss to fall to 7-3 with a 5.43 ERA as he went three innings with five runs allowed. Hammel is 2-2 over his last four outings with a 6.45 ERA. His ERA was 2.45 in the two wins. 

The Indians will start Justin Masterson next on Saturday at Detroit, as opposed to Sunday, MLB.com reports Tuesday. 

Tuesday night's starter, Scott Kazmir, will make the start Sunday against the Tigers. Wednesday's starter Corey Kluber will start Monday at Texas and he will be followed by Zach McAllister, who has been pushed back due to a finger injury. 

Rays starting pitcher Alex Cobb, who missed his last start with a fingernail issue, said he is 100 percent and should have a "normal" start Wednesday at Detroit, according to the Tampa Bay Times. Cobb said he tested his injury by throwing offspeed pitches Monday and playing catch with Matt Moore.

Cobb said he will throw 10-15 pitches Tuesday to make sure he's ready to pitch Wednesday, but he threw pain-free Monday, according to The Tampa Tribune.

The Orioles are reportedly looking for veteran starting pitching help, but face a market that is not moving in their favor. According to CBSSports.com Baseball Insider Jon Heyman, the team has no interest in trading top pitching prospects Dylan Bundy or Kevin Gausman, all but taking them out of the discussion for some of the bigger names on the market.

Gausman has a 7.20 ERA in his first three major-league starts, but entered the season as Baseball America's No. 26 prospect. Bundy is the No. 2 prospect in the league, but has yet to pitch this season due to pain in his forearm/elbow area. 

Indians starter Justin Masterson did not have a good night Monday in New York. The Yankees saw the return of Mark Teixeira in the game and Big Tex did some damage.

Teixeira hit a grand slam off Masterson in the third inning and the Cleveland ace gave up seven earned runs on nine hits and three walks over 6 1/3 innings in a loss. His record falls to 8-4 and his ERA grows to 3.57.

Masterson, who gave up two homers but struck out five over 92 pitches, has lost two of his last three outings. Still, he's won four of his last six and continues to pitch well with 88 Ks over 88 1/3 innings. Masterson makes his next start Sunday at Detroit.