MLB Player News

After getting rocked his last time out and coming off back-to-back losses, Indians starter Corey Kluber got back on the winning track Wednesday in Philadelphia. 

Kluber allowed three earned runs on six hits and no walks over six innings to beat the Phillies, 10-4, and Cole Hamels, while improving to 3-2 with a 5.40 ERA. He struck out five batters along the way. 

Take away his two losses in back-to-back starts prior to Wednesday, and Kluber has been sharp this season. The 27-year-old has struck out 25 over 28 1/3 innings, though his WHIP remains high at 1.41. 

Kluber will make his next scheduled start Tuesday against Detroit. 

Rangers pitcher Martin Perez is expected to start Triple-A Round Rock's game Thursday, the Fort Worth Star-Telegram reports. Perez was activated from the disabled list Sunday after missing the entire start of the regular season with a broken wrist.

Perez made two starts with Double-A Frisco before the activation and will head to Triple-A as expected.

Astros starter Dallas Keuchel managed to pitch into the sixth inning Wednesday in Detroit. He kept Houston in the game long enough to win it in the ninth.

Keuchel, who settled for a no-decision, allowed five runs -- four earned -- on seven hits and two walks over 5 2/3 innings. He surrendered four runs in the second, but was otherwise able to avoid giving up too many runs. His biggest mistake was serving up a three-run homer in the fourth to Avisail Garcia. 

The 25-year-old, who was making just his second start, has given up six runs over 11 2/3 innings in his first two starts with six Ks. He hasn't been fantastic, but he's been one of Houston's better options to this point. His next scheduled start comes Tuesday vs. the Royals. 

The Astros have tweaked their upcoming rotation slightly as they have flip-flopped Jordan Lyles and Erik Bedard, MLB.com reports. 

Bedard, originally expected to start Friday, will start Saturday in Pittsburgh. Lyles was expected to go Saturday originally but will move up to pitch Friday. 

Orioles general manager Dan Duquette said Tuesday that pitching prospect Kevin Gausman is not a candidate for a promotion this early in the season, MLB.com reports. With Wei-Yin Chen on the disabled list, Baltimore is in need of a starter for Saturday's game against Tampa Bay but the team is reportedly leaning toward Jair Jurrjens.

Gausman, considered the organization's second-best prospect by MLB.com behind only Dylan Bundy, has made just seven starts above the Class A level, posting a 3.35 ERA and 1.09 WHIP. Duquette said the right-hander, currently at Double-A Bowie, would not necessarily need to advance to Triple-A before making his major-league debut.

White Sox starter Chris Sale had an abscessed tooth removed Monday, one day after throwing a one-hit shutout against the Angels. He is still in line to make his next start on Friday against Anaheim -- again. 

The left-hander is 3-0 with a 1.48 ERA in his past four outings. 

Orioles starter Jason Hammel will next start Friday against Tampa Bay, the Baltimore Sun reported Monday. Manager Buck Showalter wanted to keep his starters in line with Freddy Garcia starting Wednesday against the Padres and Baltimore off Thursday.

Hammel owns a better history against the Rays than he does the Padres. He's 1-0 with a 3.72 ERA over two career starts versus Tampa Bay, his former team. 

Indians starting pitcher Justin Masterson was masterful in leading Cleveland to a 1-0 win in the first game of Monday's doubleheader against the Yankees. Masterson went the distance, allowing four hits and three walks in nine scoreless innings.

He finished the game with a strikeout of Vernon Wells, which tied a season-high with nine strikeouts. Masterson threw 79 of 118 pitches for strikes, while lowering his ERA from 3.67 to 3.14. Monday's performance was Masterson's second complete-game shutout this season and third in his career.

Masterson is expected to return to action Sunday against the Mariners. He is 3-0 with a 3.67 ERA and 1.20 WHIP in his career against Seattle.

White Sox starting pitcher Chris Sale flirted with perfection as he took a perfect game into the seventh inning of Sunday's contest against the Angels.

Sale (4-2) had his perfect game broken up by Mike Trout with one out in the seventh. The 24-year-old settled down and finished a one-hit, complete game shutout. He struck out seven and did not issue a walk in 98 pitches. It was his first career shutout and his third win in his last four starts.

"I knew warming up in the bullpen I felt loose. My arm felt good tonight," Sale said. "Warming up in the bullpen I felt like I was creating some good stuff and just wanted to transfer that out to the field, and it ended up working out tonight."

Sale has not lost a decision since April 18. He will get another crack at the Angels Friday night at Angel Stadium of Anaheim. He is 1-2 with a 4.56 ERA in four starts away from U.S. Cellular Field.

Astros starter Jordan Lyles had his worst start of the season as he failed to make it past the fourth inning Sunday afternoon against the Rangers.

Lyles, who made his third start of the season, surrendered four runs in the third, including a two-run home run to David Murphy. He also gave up three in the fourth and was charged with eight runs and 11 hits over four innings in his first loss of the season. He walked three and struck out one in 97 pitches, 55 for strikes.

Lyles has allowed 13 runs in 14 innings through his three starts. His next start is Saturday at Pittsburgh.