MLB Player News

Twins right-hander Kyle Gibson turned in a quality start on Thursday against the White Sox, but was left with a no-decision. Gibson allowed three runs on five hits over six innings. He struck out four and did not walk a batter, as the Twins dropped the series-finale 6-4.

Gibson allowed an early run in the top of the first inning, but the Twins rallied to take the lead on the heels of an Eddie Rosario grand slam in the third. But the White Sox chipped away, adding runs in the fourth and sixth innings. He left the game with the score tied 3-3, but the bullpen gave up three runs in the seventh.

Gibson has allowed three runs or fewer in five of his last seven starts, as his ERA is down to 3.84 on the year.

The White Sox made a slight change to their pitching rotation Thursday. The team announced starting pitcher Erik Johnson will start Sunday against the Royals, which will bump Chris Sale to Monday against the Indians.

Johnson, who was added to the roster Tuesday, will make his season debut Sunday after a stellar season for Triple-A Charlotte. He went 11-8 with a 2.37 ERA in 23 outings (22 starts). He also had 136 strikeouts in 132 2/3 innings.

Sale is 1-0 with a 1.80 ERA in two starts against Cleveland this season. He is 7-1 with a 2.42 ERA in 12 starts this season with five days of rest.

Rangers starting pitcher Cole Hamels was impressive during his start against the Padres on Wednesday.

Hamels limited San Diego to three runs on eight hits in seven strong innings of work. He struck out eight batters while only giving up one walk in the no-decision.

Hamels (8-8) has a 3.70 ERA in 170 1/3 innings this season.

Mariners starting pitcher Taijuan Walker was solid in his start against the Astros on Wednesday.

Walker allowed three runs on five hits in 6 2/3 innings. He recorded three strikeouts but also gave up three walks in the no-decision.

Walker now owns a 4.51 ERA this season.

Orioles starting pitcher Kevin Gausman suffered his shortest start of the season on Wednesday against the Rays.

Gausman lasted just 2 1/3 innings before being pulled from the game. He allowed four runs, three of them earned, on eight hits while giving up two home runs and two walks in the no-decision.

Gausman (2-6) now has a 4.59 ERA in 82 1/3 innings this season.

White Sox starter Carlos Rodon needed to be lights-out Wednesday night at Minnesota. He was only good.

The result was a defeat that evened his record to 6-6 as his team got shut out. Rodon allowed two runs on five hits in six innings with three walks and four strikeouts.

He gave up the only run the Twins really needed in the second on a Miguel Sano homer. Two more runs scored in the second on a Trevor Plouffe double.

Rodon has been on a roll. He has surrendered only seven runs over his last 34 innings, but has just two victories to show for it. 

Twins southpaw Tommy Milone has experienced both good and bad starts this season. But he had not pitched seven shutout innings since the first time he took the mound in April.

That is, until Wednesday night against the scuffling White Sox. Milone allowed just three hits with no walks and seven strikeouts, his largest total since June 28.

Milone did not yield a hit until a Tyler Saladino single in the third. He then retired nine of the next 10. 

His 3.60 ERA is at its lowest point since July 25.

Mariners left-hander James Paxton was considered to be one healthy rehab start away from returning to the big-league mound. But a monkey wrench might have been thrown into those plans.

Paxton was removed in the fourth inning of his outing Wednesday for Triple-A Tacoma. He left the mound with the trainer looking at a finger on his pitching hand. He had been sidelined for more than three months with a finger injury.

It remains to be seen if what appears to be a setback will prevent him from joining the Mariners in the near future.

The hope that Marcus Stroman can return to full health in time to pitch for the Blue Jays this season was strengthened by his rehab effort Wednesday for Class A Lansing.

Stroman tossed 4 2/3 innings of no-hit ball against Great Lakes. He walked one, fanned seven, and threw 44 of his 69 pitches for strikes.

The right-hander has been sidelined all year after undergoing knee surgery.

Angels rookie starter Andrew Heaney appeared destined for an early departure from the mound Wednesday in Oakland.

Heaney allowed three runs on five singles and a wild pitch in the first inning after his teammates handed him a 6-0 lead. But he did not fritter it away. He responded with six shutout innings and finished having yielded seven hits with no walks and three strikeouts.

The talented southpaw has given up just three runs in 13 innings over his last two starts. He has now won six of eight decisions and is sporting a 3.18 ERA.