MLB Player News

Cobb won't start Friday against the Twins as that game has been postponed, Joe Trezza of MLB.com reports.

Cobb had been activated off the 10-day injured list to start Friday's contest after missing time with a lumbar strain. The game will be made up as part of a doubleheader Saturday, with Cobb starting the evening contest.

Cobb (back) was activated off the 10-day injured list ahead of Friday's start against the Twins, Roch Kubatko of MASN Sports reports.

Cobb makes his return to the starting rotation after missing about two weeks with a lumbar strain. The 31-year-old allowed two runs on five hits with four strikeouts and one walk over 5.2 innings during his lone start after beginning the season on the injured list with a groin issue.

Kluber won't start Friday against the Braves as the game was postponed due to weather. The game will be made up via a traditional doubleheader Saturday.

Kluber will presumably just have to wait an extra day for his next start with rain expected to fall through most of the afternoon and evening in Cleveland on Friday. The 33-year-old is coming off a poor performance against the Royals in which he allowed six runs on six hits and five walks over 2.2 innings.

Keller was suspended Friday for five games for throwing at the White Sox's Tim Anderson on Wednesday, Jeff Passan of ESPN.com reports.

A five-game suspension is effectively a one-game suspension for a starting pitcher, as Keller will simply have his next start pushed back a few days. Depending on the timing of a possible appeal, the Royals' rotation will likely face minimal disruption.

Glasnow will start the finale of the three-game weekend series against the Red Sox on Sunday, Juan Toribio of MLB.com reports.

Manager Kevin Cash announced his pitching plans for the three-game set Thursday, which were somewhat up in the air due to Blake Snell's placement on the injured list earlier in the week with a toe injury. The Rays skipper will utilize an opener for the third straight game Friday before turning the ball over to Charlie Morton and Glasnow on Saturday and Sunday, respectively. Glasnow kept his 2019 record unblemished his last time out, picking up his fourth win of the season with seven strong innings versus the Orioles.

Morton will start the middle game of the weekend series Saturday against the Red Sox, Juan Toribio of MLB.com reports.

Manager Kevin Cash announced his pitching plans for the three-game set Thursday, which were somewhat up in the air due to Blake Snell's placement on the injured list earlier in the week with a toe injury. The Rays skipper announced he'll go with a bullpen day Friday before turning the ball over to Morton on Saturday with five days of rest. The veteran allowed one run on four hits and three walks over 4.2 innings against the Blue Jays last Sunday in his most recent start.

Means (2-2) picked up the win and allowed a walk while striking out four over two innings Thursday against the Rays.

Means was called upon for the 10th and 11th innings and came through with a pair of scoreless innings. The 25-year-old lefty was recently shifted to the bullpen with Alex Cobb (back) returning from the injured list, although the role change didn't seem to phase Means. He owns a 1.72 ERA and 1.15 WHIP with 17 strikeouts over 15.2 frames in 2019.

German (3-1) picked up the loss against the Royals on Thursday, giving up three earned runs on six hits over six innings, striking out nine and walking none in the Yankees' 6-1 defeat.

Two of the hits were long balls, but German still posted a quality start and racked up nine strikeouts in his first losing effort of the season. The 26-year-old is off to a good start, as he's sporting a 2.37 ERA and a 0.84 WHIP over three starts and one relief appearance. He also has 23 strikeouts in 19 innings. German currently lines up to take the mound next on the road against the Angels on Tuesday.

Means will be available out of the bullpen Thursday, Roch Kubatko of MASN Sports reports.

Means is no longer needed as a starter with Alex Cobb (back) set to rejoin the starting rotation over the weekend, so he'll transition to a long-relief role for the time being. That said, the Orioles still want to use the soon-to-be 26-year-old as a starter on occasions, and he's tentatively lined up to rejoin the rotation for a spot start against the Twins on April 26. Means owns a solid 1.98 ERA, 1.24 WHIP and 13 strikeouts over 13.2 frames this season.

Snell (toe) played catch Thursday, Marc Topkin of the Tampa Bay Times reports.

Snell threw for a second straight day and reported no issues afterwards. According to Juan Toribio of MLB.com, the southpaw could throw a bullpen over the weekend (likely Saturday) and remains on track to return shortly after his injured list stint ends early next week. Prior to landing on the shelf, Snell compiled a 2.16 ERA, 0.76 WHIP and 36:4 K:BB through four starts (25 innings). The Rays have yet to announce who will start in his place Friday.