MLB Player News

Athletics right-hander Sonny Gray threw a 25-pitch bullpen session on Saturday. Gray was scratched from his start on Thursday with a bout of back spasms.

But he came out of the mound session feeling good. However, the team will wait until Sunday to determine when he will make his next start, according to the San Francisco Chronicle.

Mariners left-hander James Paxton threw a 45-pitch bullpen session on Friday and reported no issues with his injured finger. Paxton has been on the disabled list since the end of May, but could be nearing a possible return.

Paxton is scheduled to throw a simulated game on Tuesday as the next step in his recovery process. He could be headed out on a rehab assignment shortly thereafter.

Paxton was 3-3 with a 3.70 ERA in 10 starts before suffering the injury. 

Astros starting pitcher Dallas Keuchel was dominant in his start against the Tigers on Friday.

Keuchel tosses seven innings while giving up just one run on six hits. He struck out eight batters and gave up just one walk.

"The second or third time through, I was kind of throwing some offspeed for strikes," Keuchel said, per MLB.com. "I've been working on a breaking pitch backdoor. That was kind of getting me ahead of guys. Especially with that lineup, I can't afford to get behind a bunch of guys. That's what I've been doing the last couple outings, with some walks and some hard-luck hits. I just wanted to attack the zone today, and I was able to do that."

With the win, Keuchel improved to 14-6 on the season with a 2.36 ERA.

Indians pitcher Corey Kluber pitched a complete game one-hitter, Friday against Minnesota. 

Kluber recorded his fourth complete game of the year and his second straight. He's gone the distance three times in his last four starts. 

"He was so good," Indians manager Terry Francona said, per MLB.com. "You're facing a team that you faced five days ago, which is never easy. He was just in command the whole time and I think he kind of showed you, when we score some runs, he kind of puts it in overdrive."

Kluber has allowed two runs and four hits in 18 innings over his last two starts, striking out 17, including seven on Friday. Kluber won his third straight to improve to 8-12.

Rangers starter Martin Perez took a no-decision, Friday against Tampa Bay, allowing three runs, two earned, on eight hits over six innings. 

Perez struck out one and walked one, giving him a total of two walks in his last four starts. 

Athletics ace Sonny Gray could be back in action as early as Monday in the final game of a wraparound series in Baltimore, per MLB.com.

Gray played catch Friday and reported no pain after losing his start Thursday in Toronto with back spasms. 

"It couldn't have went any better," Gray said.

He is expected to throw a bullpen session Saturday, at which point a decision will be made regarding his return to game action.

If it is decided to push Gray back to Tuesday, he will match up against Dodgers stud Clayton Kershaw.

Rays left-hander Drew Smyly is set to make his comeback performance Sunday in Texas after more than three months sidelined with a shoulder injury, per the Tampa Bay Times.

Smyly, who began a minor league rehab stint in late July, was pitching well before going down despite an 0-1 record. He had allowed five runs in 16 2/3 innings with 21 strikeouts over three starts.

"We're excited to have him back," Rays manager Kevin Cash said Friday, per MLB.com. "Drew, it's been a long season for him, just like [outfielder] Desmond [Jennings]. But we know that if these guys are right, they're very capable of providing a very big boost."

Yankees starter Nathan Eovaldi had a rough outing against the Indians on Thursday, but he was the benefactor of an eight-run outburst in the 8-6 victory. Eovaldi allowed four runs on seven hits over 5 1/3 innings. He walked three and struck out four.

Eovaldi (12-2, 4.26 ERA) was given a three-run lead before he even took the mound on Thursday. The lead grew to 4-0 in the second. But he allowed two runs to score in the third followed by another pair in the sixth. But he left the game with a 7-4 lead, and the Yankees were able to hold on for the win.

The four earned runs are the most Eovaldi has given up since an eight-run shellacking back on June 16.  

The absence of Rangers new ace Cole Hamels from the rotation should be short-lived, according to MLB.com, which is claiming he will likely return to the mound Monday against Seattle.

Hamels, who is dealing with a sore left groin muscle, will throw a bullpen session Saturday to test his progress. The results of that work will give the team a better indication of when he can pitch again.

"He has shown some improvement so we're hoping he can start on Monday," said general manager Jon Daniels.

Hamels has been a disappointment in his early outings with Texas. He has lost both starts and allowed nine runs on 16 hits in 13 2/3 innings.

With the Twins placing starting pitcher Phil Hughes on the 15-day disabled list due to a lower back injury, the team announced Trevor May will take his spot in the rotation. He will start Friday against the Indians.

The Twins also announced Tyler Duffey will be recalled from the minors to start the second game of the series Saturday and Tommy Milone, who is on the 15-day disabled list with an elbow injury, will pitch the series finale Sunday.