MLB Player News

Terry Francona has assured Indians starter Carlos Carrasco that he will not be traded.

Carrasco, who hurled a complete-game victory Thursday night in Oakland, had been rumored to be headed to Toronto, but reports have claimed that deal fell through and that the Blue Jays have given up their pursuit.

"[Francona] told me, "We're not going to trade you,'" Carrasco told MLB.com. "That's what he told me. ... I don't care what I hear about whether they're going to trade me. I'm still here and I'm still working. That's what I need to do."

Carrasco has arguably been the team's second-best starter behind Corey Kluber, but he's been inconsistent. He is 11-8 with a 4.03 ERA.

Athletics starter Chris Bassitt had a shaky first inning, allowing three runs, and despite pitching well for the remainder of his outing, wound up on the losing end of a 3-1 defeat Thursday.

Bassitt went seven innings, scattering six hits while striking out six and walking just one in what was the best of his five starts this season. However, Bassitt's record dropped to 0-4.

Carlos Carrasco was dominant for the Indians on Thursday, pitching a complete-game two-hitter as Cleveland earned a 3-1 win over the Athletics. 

Carrasco allowed a first-inning RBI double, but that was just about it, as he wound up striking out seven hitters while walking just one. Carrasco only needed 103 pitches to spin his gem, using 14 ground-ball outs to power through the Oakland lineup. 

It is Carrasco's first complete game of the season and the fourth of his career. He improves to 11-8 on the season, fourth-most wins in the AL. 

White Sox starter Chris Sale was not his usual dominant self, allowing a career-high 12 hits in a loss to the Red Sox on Thursday. 

Sale (9-6) was struck on the leg by a hit early in the game, and from that point, did not seem to have his best stuff. Over five innings, he allowed seven runs, the fourth-most he has allowed in his career. He did strike out seven batters, but the Red Sox did not seem to have trouble hitting him. 

It was Sale's shortest start since April 30, when he went just three innings in a loss to the Twins. He had won three of his previous four starts in July. 

Phillies starter Cole Hamels, one of the top targets on the trade market, has reportedly been traded to the Rangers as part of an eight-player and cash deal between the teams, per multiple sources.  

Hamels, who is coming off a no-hitter last Sunday, is 6-7 with a 3.64 ERA in 20 starts this season, but the left-hander is considered to be one of the top pitchers in the game, compiling 114 wins in his 10-year career, all with Philadelphia. In addition to Hamels, the Rangers also receive reliever Jake Diekman. 

The rebuilding Phillies get a large haul of young talent, including lefty starter Matt Harrison, top catching prospect Jorge Alfaro, outfielder Nick Williams and pitchers Alec Asher, Jerad Eickhoff and Jake Thompson. 

The trade has not been officially announced by either team. 

Astros rookie starter Lance McCullers put together a quality start Wednesday, tossing seven innings of five-hit ball to pick up his fifth win of the season. 

McCullers walked none and struck out five, while keeping the ball on the ground, registering 12 ground-ball outs. He allowed a first-inning run but settled down after that, finishing the night with 99 pitches. 

Over his last seven starts, McCullers (5-3) has alternated wins and losses with three no-decisions mixed in.

Fresh off a complete-game shutout in his last start, White Sox left-hander Jose Quintana posted another fine outing on Wednesday. Quintana limited the Red Sox to two runs on six hits over 6 1/3 innings. He walked one and struck out three in the 9-2 victory.

Quintana (6-9, 3.52 ERA) allowed a run in the fourth and a solo home run to Mike Napoli in the seventh. But by then, Quintana already had a six-run lead. 

In six July starts, Quintana went 3-2 with a 2.57 ERA.

The Rangers are on the verge of acquiring left-handed starter Cole Hamels from the Phillies, CBSSports.com Baseball Insider Jon Heyman reports. 

Hamels as been the source of many trade rumors over the past several weeks, with teams like the Astros, Dodgers and the Yankees all reportedly having shown interest in the three-time All-Star. 

Hamels tossed a no-hitter against the Cubs in his most recent start on Saturday.

The deal is not yet complete, and it is not known what other player or players are involved in the potential trade.

Indians right-hander Corey Kluber has spent much of this season as the least-supported starter in the American League. But he could certainly relax Wednesday.

Backed with 12 runs, Kluber cruised to a victory over Kansas City for his second complete game of the year. He allowed only one run on five hits with one walk and six strikeouts.

He had a shutout going into the ninth, but then tired enough to surrender the lone walk, double and sacrifice fly. He finished having thrown 112 pitches.

Kluber has six quality starts in his last seven outings and boasts a 3.44 ERA.

Tigers starting pitcher Justin Verlander was absolutely dominant in his start against the Rays on Wednesday.

Verlander allowed just one run on four hits over eight innings of work. He struck out a season-high 10 batters, while flirting with a no-hitter through the first 4 2/3 innings of the game. Verlander's no-hitter was broken up by an Asdrubal Cabrera solo home run with two outs in the fourth inning.

Verlander is now 1-3 with the win. He has a 4.86 ERA this season with 35 strikeouts and 12 walks in 50 innings this season.