MLB Player News

Cortes was removed from Game 4 of the ALCS against the Astros on Sunday due to a left groin injury.

Cortes was visited by a trainer early in Sunday's matchup and remained in the game, but he was removed after allowing a three-run homer with no outs in the top of the third inning. Prior to his departure, he allowed three runs on two hits and three walks while striking out two in two innings. The severity of the issue isn't clear, and whether he's available later in the postseason if the Yankees advance remains to be seen.

Cole pitched five innings and took the loss during Saturday's 5-0 defeat in Game 3 of the ALCS, allowing three earned runs on five hits and two walks while striking out seven.

Cole was unable to turn the tide of the ALCS in Saturday's Game 3 defeat, surrendering a two-run homer to Chas McCormick in the second inning and leaving after loading the bases in the sixth inning. The two-run homer was a back-breaker, coming after a two-out error by Harrison Bader, and Lou Trivino allowed all three of Cole's inherited runners to score in the sixth. The 32-year-old Cole's only regular-season start against Houston had come June 25, when he threw seven strong innings while allowing one run, but he was unable to match that performance Saturday. Cole was 2-0 with two wins against the Guardians during the ALDS, but his loss in Game 3 brings him to 2-1 with a 2.98 ERA and 23 K's over 18.1 innings in the postseason.

Javier pitched 5.1 scoreless innings and got the win during Saturday's 5-0 victory over the Yankees in Game 3 of the ALCS, allowing one hit and three walks while striking out five.

Javier had only made one appearance in the 2022 postseason -- a 1.1-inning relief effort in the ALDS -- but he was tasked with the start in Yankee Stadium for Game 3 and excelled on the road. The 25-year-old came into the postseason with four consecutive scoreless starts of at least five innings, and he added another by limiting the powerful Yankees lineup to just one hit in 5.1 frames. Javier produced the best season of his three-year career with a 2.54 ERA, 0.95 WHIP and 194:52 K:BB across 148.2 innings this year, and he's now continuing that success in the playoffs.

McCullers will start Game 4 of the ALCS against the Yankees on Sunday, Brian McTaggart of MLB.com reports.

The right-hander pitched Game 3 of the ALDS and fired six scoreless frames against the Mariners, but it will be Cristian Javier who takes the mound for the third game versus the Yankees. McCullers missed most of the year due to a forearm injury, but he pitched well after making his season debut Aug. 13 and finished with a 2.27 ERA, 1.24 WHIP and 50:22 K:BB across 47.2 innings. According to Mark Berman of KRIV 26 News, McCullers was pushed back after being struck in the elbow by a champagne bottle during the ALDS victory celebration, but he threw a bullpen session Friday without issue and is ready to pitch in New York.

Javier will start Game 3 of the ALCS against the Yankees on Saturday, Chandler Rome of the Houston Chronicle reports.

Lance McCullers appeared to be lined up to start Game 3 in New York, but he'll instead pitch Game 4 on Sunday. It will be the first start of the postseason for Javier, who allowed one run over 1.1 innings out of the bullpen in his lone appearance during the ALDS against the Mariners. The right-hander didn't allow a run over his final four starts of the regular season, though he figures to have a reduced workload Saturday while making his first start since Oct. 1.

Valdez pitched seven innings and got the win Thursday night in Game 2 of the ALCS, allowing two unearned runs on four hits and zero walks while striking out nine during the 3-2 win over the Yankees.

Valdez had just one stressful inning Thursday night, which came in the fourth when he bobbled a comebacker from Giancarlo Stanton and compiled the mistake with a throwing error to first base. Two runs eventually scored in the inning, but the 28-year-old lefty was able to limit the damage by striking out Josh Donaldson and Kyle Higashioka, and he finished his outing by striking out the side in the seventh. The nine strikeouts were the most in a postseason game for Valdez since he recorded nine against the Rays in 2020. The southpaw owns a 1.48 postseason ERA and 15 strikeouts over 12.2 innings.

Severino tossed 5.1 innings and took the loss Thursday during Game 2 of the ALCS, allowing three runs on five hits and one walk while striking out six.

A devastating three-run homer by Alex Bregman with two outs in the third was enough for the Astros to win Game 2 in Houston. Severino was able to battle the tough Houston lineup all night, but the one mistake to Bregman put a damper on his performance. He managed to work into the sixth but was pulled for Jonathan Loaisiga after a one-out single by Kyle Tucker. The 28-year-old has now surrendered six runs in 11 innings during the postseason while striking out 12.

Verlander earned the win during Game 1 of the ALCS on Wednesday, allowing one run on three hits and one walk while striking out 11 over six innings in the 4-2 victory over the Yankees.

Verlander delivered a vintage performance Wednesday night, keeping the dangerous New York lineup in check for six strong innings. The Yankees had runners on second and third with one out in the third inning, but Verlander was able to strike out Josh Donaldson and Matt Carpenter to keep the game tied. The 39-year-old then retired the next nine batters, delivering a crucial bounce-back performance after allowing six runs to the Mariners in his previous outing. The 11 strikeouts were the most in a postseason game for Verlander since he recorded 13 against the Yankees in the 2017 ALCS.

Taillon did not factor in the decision during Game 1 of the ALCS after 4.1 innings of work, allowing one run on four hits and three walks in the 4-2 loss to the Astros.

Taillon delivered a solid performance against the tough Astros lineup, but he was tagged for a two-out RBI double by Martin Maldonado in the bottom of the second to tie the game, 1-1. The 30-year-old righty fared much better than his relief performance in Game 2 of the ALDS, when he allowed two runs on three hits against the Guardians without recording an out; however, the lack of strikeouts is alarming for Taillon. He tallied 151 K's over 177.1 innings in the regular season but has yet to record a strikeout spanning 23 batters in the postseason.

The Yankees have reinstated Montas (shoulder) from the 15-day injured list Wednesday in advance of Game 1 of their American League Championship Series with the Astros.

Montas was placed on the IL on Sept. 20 with right shoulder inflammation and wasn't able to get ramped up in time to contribute for the Yankees during their five-game American League Division Series with the Guardians. He looks like he'll be healthy enough to pitch during the ALCS, though Montas will presumably be working out of the bullpen to begin the series with Jameson Taillon, Luis Severino, Gerrit Cole and Nestor Cortes likely to form the Yankees' four-man rotation. After being acquired from Oakland on Aug. 1, Montas went 1-3 with a 6.35 ERA, 1.54 WHIP and 33:15 K:BB in 39.2 innings over eight outings.