MLB Player News

Cueto was scratched from his scheduled start Saturday against the Tigers due to illness, Scott Merkin of MLB.com reports.

Cueto's absence complicates an already difficult starting pitching situation for the White Sox. Michael Kopech hit the injured list earlier Saturday with shoulder inflammation, with Davis Martin getting called up in his place. Martin will take Cueto's scheduled Saturday start, but that leaves Kopech's scheduled turn Sunday unfilled. If Cueto's illness is a minor one, it's possible he's pushed back just one day, but it's also possible he misses an entire turn in the rotation, forcing the White Sox to call up another arm or go with a bullpen game.

Martin will start Saturday's game against the Tigers, Scott Merkin of MLB.com reports.

Martin was called up Saturday, and he'll immediately draw a start after Johnny Cueto (illness) was scratched from his scheduled start. Martin threw an inning at Triple-A Charlotte on Thursday, so it's possible that he's on a pitch count during Saturday's outing.

Kopech was placed on the 15-day injured list Saturday due to shoulder inflammation, Daryl Van Schouwen of the Chicago Sun-Times reports.

Kopech has yet to be officially ruled out for the season, per James Fegan of The Athletic, but it's certainly possible that he's done for the year. The team has no long-term concerns regarding the injury, but whether or not he makes it back depends on how his shoulder responds when he plays catch next week, and on if the White Sox are still in the playoff hunt when he's eligible to return. Even if Kopech does pitch again this season, it may be for only a single start. Davis Martin was recalled to take his place in the rotation.

Martin was recalled from Triple-A Charlotte on Saturday, Daryl Van Schouwen of the Chicago Sun-Times reports.

Martin was sent down by the White Sox in early September, but he'll rejoin the big-league club after Michael Kopech (shoulder) was placed on the 15-day injured list Saturday. Martin has made 10 appearances (five starts) for the White Sox this year and has posted a 4.09 ERA and 1.25 WHIP in 44 innings. Kopech was slated to start Sunday against the Tigers, and it's not yet clear whether Martin will immediately take his place in the rotation since he tossed an inning at Charlotte on Thursday.

Montas gave up four earned runs on four hits and four walks while striking out two over 3.1 innings in a 7-6 loss to the Brewers on Friday. He did not factor into the decision.

Montas has struggled immensely since coming over to the Yankees and his unusual bout of ineffectiveness continued in Milwaukee. The major damage in this contest came on a three-run homer by Willy Adames in the second inning. Montas has now issued eight free passes over his past two starts and has a miserable 6.35 ERA in eight starts as a Yankee. He will look to rectify his control problems and get back to the pitcher he was in Oakland his next time out against the Red Sox.

Lyles (10-11) took the loss Friday, giving up four runs on five hits and a walk over five innings as the Orioles fell 6-3 to the Blue Jays. He struck out five.

Two of the hits off the veteran righty left the yard, including a three-run blast by George Springer in the fifth inning that sealed Baltimore's fate. Lyles has been tagged for at least four runs in four of his last six starts, posting a 6.16 ERA, 1.50 WHIP and 24:7 K:BB through 30.2 innings over that stretch, and his late-season fade could end up helping to cost the O's a playoff spot.

Varland was recalled from Triple-A St. Paul to serve as the 29th man during Saturday's doubleheader against the Guardians.

Varland made his major-league debut Sept. 7 against the Yankees and allowed two runs on three hits and a walk while striking out seven in 5.1 innings. While he'll serve as the 29th man and starter in the first game of Saturday's doubleheader, it's possible that he earns a rotation spot for the rest of the year if he performs well against Cleveland.

Verlander (17-3) allowed no hits and one walk while striking out nine across five scoreless innings to earn the win Friday against the Athletics.

Verlander made his first start in nearly three weeks but showed no signs of rust. He dominated the weak Athletics lineup, racking up 12 swinging strikes on 79 total pitches to help him account for nine of his 15 outs via the strikeout. Spanning back to Aug. 23, Verlander has now turned in three consecutive scoreless starts spanning 14 innings. In that same span, he has a dominant 25:2 K:BB. For the season, Verlander owns a a 1.78 ERA and 0.83 WHIP across 157 frames.

Kluber (10-9) took the loss to Texas on Friday, allowing four runs on nine hits while striking out six and walking none over 5.2 innings.

For the fifth time in a row and the 15th time this season, Kluber did not walk a batter in a game. Unfortunately for Kluber and the Rays, he gave up four runs, giving him 10 earned in his last 6.1 innings pitched. The veteran righty's ERA spiked to 4.44 on the year after Friday's contest. Kluber is tentatively scheduled to face another tough matchup versus the Astros in his next appearance.

Perez (12-6) earned the win against the Rays on Friday, allowing three runs on nine hits while striking out three and walking one over 5.1 innings.

Despite allowing 10 baserunners, Perez limited the damage to three runs, which the Rangers' offense was able to overcome. Perez tossed 58 of 91 pitches for strikes across 5.1 frames, missing out on a quality start after picking up two in his last two starts. The lefty earned the win, but he also saw his ERA worsen to a still-impressive 2.84.