MLB Player News

Athletics starter Sonny Gray threw a complete game shutout against the Dodgers on Tuesday. 

Gray recorded his second shutout in the last four starts. He allowed three hits, walked one and struck out nine, his most since June 14. 

Gray matched last year's totals of two complete games and two shutouts. 

Rangers starter Martin Perez had a nightmare of an outing against the Yankees on Tuesday. Staked to 5-0 lead after the first inning, Perez gave up eight runs on seven hits as part of an 11-run onslaught in the second inning. The Yankees would go on to demolish the Rangers 21-5.

Perez (0-2) pitched a scoreless first inning, but was unable to record a single out in the second. This was the left-hander's third start of the season, in what was the shortest start of his career. The eight runs allowed matches a career-high. 

Perez came into the game with a 4.91 ERA through his first two outings. After Tuesday's disaster, that number sits at 10.50. 

Rays pitcher Jake Odorizzi won for the first time since July 11, improving to 6-6 on the year, Tuesday against Detroit. 

Odorizzi allowed one run, the third time in five outings that he's surrendered zero or one runs. He struck out eight, his most since April 18, and gave up one run over six innings.

After a pair of encouraging outings, Red Sox starter Wade Miley has reverted back to the struggling pitcher we saw earlier this month. On Tuesday, Miley allowed seven runs on 10 hits over 5 2/3 innings to the White Sox. He walked three and struck out five in the 9-4 loss.

Miley (8-9) got off to a rough start in this one, allowing five runs in the top of the first inning. He managed to settle in over the next four innings, but then allowed a two-run home run to Jose Abreu in the sixth inning. 

Miley had given up a total of one run in 13 innings over his previous two starts. In three starts prior to that, he had allowed 13 runs over 17 innings. Overall, he is 2-4 with a 5.31 ERA in six starts this month.

Two more teams have reportedly thrown their hats in the ring for Phillies on-the-block starter Cole Hamels.

Included are the Diamondbacks, who have inquired about the left-hander, per ESPN.

Another is the Yankees, according to MLB.com, which is claiming that the Bronx Bombers will not part with premier prospects such as pitcher Luis Severino, outfielder Aaron Judge, shortstop Jorge Mateo and first baseman Greg Bird to land Hamels.

Their reluctance to do so could make them a longshot.

Starting pitcher Johnny Cueto will make his Royals debut on Friday at Toronto. The right-hander was acquired in a trade Sunday with the Reds.

Red Sox starter Eduardo Rodriguez could hardly help performing better Sunday night against Detroit than he did in his previous start. But he went from horrible to excellent.

Rodriguez was coming off an effort against the Angels in which he allowed seven earned runs in 1 2/3 innings. He bounced back to give up just one run in seven innings in taming the Tigers. He yielded just three hits while walking one and fanning seven.

His lone hiccup wound up over the fence in the fifth inning, courtesy of Nick Castellanos. He received tremendous run support to raise his record to 6-3.

Rodriguez has proven quite inconsistent. He has surrendered two or less runs in five of his last eight starts and six or more in the other three.

Mariners starting pitcher Taijuan Walker struck out six batters in a no-decision on Sunday against the Blue Jays.

Walker allowed four runs, three of them earned, while giving up six hits and three walks in six innings of work. 

Walker now has a 5.03 ERA with 110 strikeouts and 30 walks in 112 2/3 innings this season.

Rays left-hander Drew Smyly finally returned to the mound Sunday for Triple-A Durham after missing nearly three months with a shoulder injury.

Smyly pitched 2 1/3 innings and yielded four earned runs on three hits and two walks against Tidewater. He fanned three.

There will be at least a few more minor league outings to come. His long absence will result in a lengthy rehab stint.

Ho hum. Another start, another win for Angels emerging starter Andrew Heaney.

The 24-year-old Heaney notched his fifth straight Sunday against Texas. It was tougher than the 13-7 final indicates - his offense didn't explode until after he was removed from the game. He allowed just two runs on six hits in six innings with one walk and four strikeouts.

Heaney gave up single runs in the third and fourth on a Rougned Odor single and bases loaded hit-by-pitch. He retired seven of the last eight batters he faced.

The southpaw has been tremendously effective and consistent since landing a spot in the rotation in late June. He has six straight quality starts in which he has given up two runs or less and now boasts a 1.79 ERA.