MLB Player News

Astros starter Collin McHugh allowed two runs on four hits and a walk with one strikeout over six innings Thursday to earn the win in Game 1 of the ALDS against the Royals.

McHugh allowed two solo home runs during the game -- both to Kendrys Morales -- but he combined with Tony Sipp, Will Harris, Oliver Perez and Luke Gregerson to hold the Royals' offense scoreless otherwise. If the Astros choose to pitch McHugh on four days rest, he'll take the hill for Game 4 of the ALDS on Monday, otherwise he's likely to pitch Game 5, if necessary, on October 14.

Astros starting pitcher Collin McHugh will start Game 1 of the ALDS against the Royals, the Houston Chronicle reports.

McHugh was hit-or-miss over his final few starts, but he threw the ball very well after the All-Star break, posting a 3.11 ERA over his final 14 starts. He will square off against the Royals' Yordano Ventura on Thursday night.

Athletics left-hander Drew Pomeranz is slated for arthroscopic surgery on the AC joint in his left shoulder, John Hick of the Bay Area News Group reports.

After making his last appearance of the season on Sept. 26, Pomeranz soon returned to Oakland in order to have an MRI on his shoulder, which revealed damage to the AC joint. While the extent of the ailment isn't known and surgery hasn't been scheduled, an arthroscopic procedure signals a shorter recovery timeline. As a result, the left-handed reliever should be available by the time camp rolls around next March.

Astros starter Collin McHugh (19-7) was excellent over seven innings Saturday, allowing just one earned run on six hits and a walk while striking out six in a 6-2 win over the Diamondbacks.

McHugh ended his season on a high note, earning his sixth win in his last seven outings and helping the Astros keep their one game lead in the AL West. The 28-year-old has enjoyed a career resurgence in the American League, posting excellent numbers in his two seasons with Houston after disappointing stints with the Mets and Rockies.

Yankees reliever Dellin Betances (6-4) surrendered two hits, an earned run and a walk in an inning in Saturday's 4-3 loss to the Orioles. He also struck out the side.

The towering right-hander had turned in scoreless appearances in eight of his last nine trips to the mound prior to Saturday, but surrendered the go-ahead run on a wild pitch in the eighth. Despite the unfavorable outcome, Betances still managed to strike out the side and has been generally outstanding out of the bullpen this season. He has amassed 29 holds, nine saves, a 1.50 ERA and an incredible 131 strikeouts in 84 innings, good for an absurd 39.5 strikeout rate. Betances will undoubtedly be an integral component of the Yankees' postseason bullpen, potentially beginning with Tuesday's wild-card contest.

Twins starter Tyler Duffey tossed 6 1/3 strong innings Wednesday, giving up two runs on six hits and a walk with six strikeouts against the Indians.

He didn't pick up a decision, but Duffey remained effective, lowering his ERA a tad to 3.10. His 1.31 WHIP, however, doesn't much get along with that stat. Either way, Duffey's been one of the big reasons for Minnesota's late-season surge, as the Twins went 8-2 in his 10 starts. Now it's up to the rest of the team to reward the rookie for his fine efforts with a playoff start.

Indians rookie third baseman Giovanny Urshela (shoulder) is back in the lineup Thursday against Minnesota.

The physical issue sidelined Urshela for nearly two weeks, but as Terry Francona noted Wednesday, he's now healthy enough to take the field.

Urshela has shined defensively since his promotion, but has struggled at the plate. He will be considered a risky Fantasy option in 2016, particularly since he has not locked up a starting job.

The Red Sox are still discussing where pitcher Matt Barnes fits best into their plans for next season, the Boston Globe reports.

Barnes is currently relieving for Boston, but was selected in the first round of the 2011 draft and developed as a starter. His performance out of the pen has been spotty, but much better lately as he claimed he's learning how to pitch at the major-league level.

The Red Sox could use a power arm in the bullpen - Barnes throws a mid-90s heater - and he'd be an attractive candidate to compete for a relief job in 2016. But Boston also needs depth and talent in its rotation.

Twins reliever Trevor May (back) was available to pitch, but he did not appear in Wednesday's doubleheader, the Minneapolis Star Tribune reports.

May has struggled with a sore back the past month, and it looks like he could appear in a game or two the rest of the season. However, he'll likely be shut down if the Twins are eliminated from the wild-card race.

Astros pitcher Collin McHugh will have his next scheduled start pushed back to Saturday, Evan Drellich of the Houston Chronicle reports.

McHugh will take the mound for a road matchup against the Diamondbacks one day later than originally planned. He'll switch spots with Dallas Keuchel, who will be moved up a day in an effort to stick to his regular routine.