MLB Player News

Indians starter Corey Kluber fell to 8-16 with a loss Monday against the Twins, as he allowed four runs on seven hits and three walks over six innings. He struck out six.

Kluber has now received two or fewer runs of support in 17 of his 31 starts, and that's the real explanation behind his brutal record this year. Still, Kluber's ERA is up to 3.62, over a full run higher than his 2014 mark, and the home run he gave up to Trevor Plouffe was the 22nd he has allowed this year. If Kluber is going to contend for another Cy Young award, he'll have to find a way to keep the ball in the yard.

Twins pitcher Tommy Milone won his ninth game Monday against Cleveland as he allowed two runs on four hits over 5 2/3 innings. He struck out four and didn't walk a batter.

Milone threw 82 pitches, and that was probably his limit considering he hadn't pitched since September 17th. An illness for Phil Hughes forced Milone into action, and it's unclear if he'll pitch again this season, but he showed why he's a fine backup to have around. His ERA is down to 4.04 to go with an 86:34 K:BB in 122 2/3 innings.

Athletics ace Sonny Gray (hip) has been scratched from his scheduled start Wednesday and will not pitch again this season, Susan Slusser of the San Francisco Chronicle reports.

Barry Zito will start in his place Wednesday, while Gray will finish his season with a 14-7 record, 2.73 ERA, 1.08 WHIP and 169:59 K:BB over 208 innings. He'll almost certainly be all healed up by spring training, and considering he'll only be 26 years old, it's more than likely we haven't seen Gray's best seasons yet.

Mariners manager Lloyd McClendon said it's highly unlikely that pitcher James Paxton will start Wednesday, Ryan Divish of the Seattle Times reports. 

The Mariners were hopeful that Paxton would be able to pitch Wednesday, but it appears that will not be the case. It remains to be seen if he will take the ball again before the regular season comes to a close.

Yankees pitcher Nathan Eovaldi (elbow) played catch Monday, Sweeny Murti of Sportsradio 66 WFAN reports.

It's the third time in four days that Eovaldi was able to play catch, clearly an encouraging sign after suffering from elbow inflammation. Per manager Joe Girardi, Eovaldi won't be on the roster should the Yankees be in the Wild Card game, but could be a candidate to join the bullpen if the team continues to advance.

Twins pitcher Tommy Milone (shoulder) will start Monday's contest against the Indians.

With Phil Hughes a late scratch with an illness, manager Paul Molitor tabbed Milone to take over in his place. Milone missed his last start due to shoulder fatigue, but was able to throw a bullpen session over the weekend and is apparently healthy enough to get the start Monday.

Yankees starting pitcher Luis Severino (5-3) tossed six shutout innings, allowing five hits and one walk, en route to picking up the win Sunday against the White Sox.

It was one of the best outings of Severino's brief career, though he only added two strikeouts, as he registered his seventh quality start since being called up in August. He's quickly turned into one of the Yankees' most reliable starter and is scheduled to make his final turn through the rotation in the regular season Friday against the Orioles.

Astros starting pitcher Dallas Keuchel (19-8) allowed one run on two hits and two walks with 10 strikeouts over seven innings during Sunday's 4-2 win over Texas.

Keuchel, who was a perfect 15-0 at home this season, lines up for one more regular season start at Arizona on Saturday. If Houston makes the playoffs, they'll undoubtedly want their ace to pitch in the AL Wild Card game three days later on Tuesday, Oct. 6.

It's possible manager A.J. Hinch shuffles his rotation a bit to accommodate this scenario, otherwise Keuchel would pitch the AL Wild Card game on short rest.

Rangers pitcher Martin Perez was saddled with his sixth loss of the season Sunday against the Astros, despite allowing just two runs (none earned) with six strikeouts and one walk in six innings. 

The left-hander made one of his best starts of the last two months, but Texas couldn't generate enough offense against Dallas Keuchel to make his effort stand up. Perez has endured some rocky performances of late, but he has now thrown four quality starts in his last six outings and will make his final start of the regular season Friday against the Angels.

Yankees pitcher Nathan Eovaldi (elbow) played catch Friday and Saturday, the NY Daily News reports.

Eovaldi was initially planning to throw last Monday, but that got delayed as he was still dealing with inflammation. It's an encouraging sign that he was able to throw on consecutive days, but at this point Eovaldi will likely only serve as a bullpen option in the postseason, if he's able to to return this year at all.