MLB Player News

Twins minor-league starter Kyle Gibson could become an option for Minnesota if he continues to pitch well at Triple-A Rochester, Baseball America reports Saturday. 

Gibson, who missed most of 2012 after Tommy John surgery, is expected to be on a 130-140 innings limit this season. His last start for Rochester was not inspiring as he allowed five runs on 11 hits over 4 2/3 innings with one strikeout in a loss. He's 1-4 with a 4.26 ERA over six starts with 27 Ks in 31 2/3 innings. 

The 25-year-old entered the season as the No. 68 prospect in the majors, according to Baseball America. 

Tigers relief pitcher Drew Smyly earned his second win of the season with two perfect innings of work Friday against the Astros. He struck out one while lowering his ERA to 1.35 through 20 innings.

Indians starting pitcher Justin Masterson surrendered five earned runs on eight hits and two walks in 6 2/3 innings against the Twins Friday, striking out five. It was the second consecutive poor start for Masterson, although he didn't earn a decision in Friday's game.

Masterson is 4-2 with a 3.64 ERA as he heads into a matchup against the A's Wednesday at home.

The White Sox have reset their rotation in the wake of Friday's rainout against Kansas City. According to the Chicago Sun-Times, Dylan Axelrod will pitch Saturday, Jose Quintana will go Sunday and Jake Peavy will pitch the scheduled makeup Monday afternoon if he is recovered from the back injury that scratched him from his last start. 

The report said Peavy is a possibility for Monday. Hector Santiago is the most likely replacement if Peavy can't pitch.

Making his first start of the regular season for the Astros, starting pitcher Jordan Lyles held the Tigers to two earned runs on six hits and a walk in five innings while striking out six. However, his bullpen let him down, leaving him with a no-decision.

It was quite the promising showing for a pitcher who posted a 17.74 ERA and surrendered 36 hits in 11 2/3 innings this spring. Lyles will face the Angels at home next week.

An injury to Gavin Floyd forced the White Sox to move Hector Santiago into the rotation, and another to Jake Peavy has forced them to shuffle their rotation. Santiago was moved up to start Thursday, and the Chicago Sun-Times detailed the rest of the team's plans for weekend series opening Friday in Kansas City.

Dylan Axelrod moves up from Saturday to Friday to open the team's series against the Royals. Jose Quintana will now pitch Saturday, and the team hopes Peavy will be ready to take the mound Sunday after being scratched Thursday with back spasms. 

Rangers pitcher Martin Perez, who is recovering from a broken left wrist, is expected to begin a rehab assignment at Double-A Frisco Monday, ESPNDallas.com reports.

Perez, 22, posted a 5.45 ERA, 1.63 WHIP and 25 strikeouts in 38 innings for the Rangers in 2012.

The Astros recalled pitcher Dallas Keuchel  from Triple-A Oklahoma City Thursday, according to the Houston Chronicle. Keuchel has a 3.38 ERA in four relief appearances for Houston this season.

Athletics pitching prospect Sonny Gray allowed one run on four hits and two walks in nine innings Wednesday for Triple-A Sacramento, improving to 3-1. Gray struck out six and has 25 strikeouts in 31 innings.

Although he tossed a complete-game shutout last season for Double-A Midland, Gray called Wednesday's outing "the best start I've had in pro ball."

"I would say that my fastball was pretty efficient tonight and that, because they were being pretty aggressive, I was able to get ahead," he said, per MLB.com. "My changeup was really good and my curveball was there when I needed it. I was able to keep the fastball down and change speeds and get them to swing early in the count and get soft contact."

The 2011 first-round pick has a 2.61 ERA and .241 opponents' batting average. He has issued 12 walks, but he hasn't allowed a home run in the hitter-friendly Pacific Coast League.

White Sox starting pitcher Chris Sale tossed his third quality start in a row Wednesday, in a 5-2 win over the Rangers.

He tossed seven strong innings for the third start in a row and fifth time in six outings, while limited the Rangers' potent offense to just two runs. He allowed six hits and walked two, while striking out seven betters. Sale threw 109 pitches, 68 of them for strikes.

Sale allowed one home run, his sixth allowed in as many starts. He is now 3-2 on the season, with a 3.83 ERA. He has 37 strikeouts in 40 innings of work, while walking 12 batters and allowing 34 hits, for a 1.15 WHIP.

Sale is scheduled to make his next start Tuesday in New York against the Mets.