MLB Player News

Means (6-9) took the loss Saturday, surrendering seven runs (six earned) on seven hits -- including three home runs -- over three innings in a 10-1 rout at the hands of the Blue Jays. He struck out two without walking a batter.

The southpaw wasn't fooling many hitters, as Means served up homers to Vladimir Guerrero and Teoscar Hernandez in the first inning before George Springer took him deep in the second, and two of the other hits off him were doubles. Means will wrap up the regular season with a 3.62 ERA and 134:26 K:BB through 146.2 innings.

Montgomery (6-7) took the loss Saturday as the Yankees were routed 12-2 by the Rays, coughing up seven runs on six hits -- including three home runs -- and three walks over 2.2 innings. He struck out three.

The lefty served up a three-run shot to Brandon Lowe in the top of the first inning, and it was all downhill from there for both Montgomery and the Yankees. He got the hook after 71 pitches (44 strikes) as New York failed once again to lock up a wild-card spot, and he wraps up the regular season with a 3.83 ERA and 162:51 K:BB through 157.1 innings.

Baz didn't factor into the decision in Saturday's 12-2 rout of the Yankees, giving up one run on one hit and two walks over 2.2 innings. He struck out four.

With the Rays already having the best record in the American League locked up, the team elected to give Baz some extra rest ahead of the playoffs -- a strong sign that he'll have a big part to play in Tampa Bay's postseason pitching plans. The young right-hander threw 51 pitches (28 strikes) before exiting, and he wraps up the regular season with a 2.03 ERA and 18:3 K:BB through 13.1 innings in his first taste of the majors.

Cole will not start on short rest Sunday against Tampa Bay, James Wagner of The New York Times reports.

Cole was expected to start in the Yankees' season finale, though Jameson Taillon will take the mound instead. The move also clears the path for Cole to start in either a tiebreaker Monday or wild-card contest Tuesday. If the Yankees don't need to play Monday, he'll conclude the campaign with a 3.23 ERA and 1.06 WHIP with 243 strikeouts across 181.1 frames.

Greinke (neck) could pitch in Sunday's season finale against the Athletics, Brian McTaggart of MLB.com reports.

Manager Dusty Baker indicated in late September that there's a "distinct possibility" that Greinke serves as a reliever during the postseason, but he has a chance to rejoin the club for a tune-up in Sunday's regular-season finale. Jose Urquidy will start Sunday's matchup against Oakland, so the 37-year-old will pitch out of the bullpen if he's ultimately activated.

Taillon (ankle) will start Sunday's season finale against the Rays, James Wagner of The New York Times reports.

Taillon's status was unclear after he exited Tuesday's start early due to aggravating a prior ankle injury. However, he threw a successful bullpen session Friday and will be ready to start a pivotal final game of the regular season for the Yankees. In his first abbreviated outing since returning from a three-week absence Sept. 28, Taillon allowed one earned run on one hit and a walk while striking out two across 2.1 frames.

German gave up two runs on one hit and two walks while striking out three over 1.1 innings against Tampa Bay on Friday.

The right-hander was activated from the injured list Sept. 22, but Friday marked his first appearance since July 31. The long layoff showed through his control, as German threw only half of his 32 pitches for strikes and walked a pair of batters. The two free passes came back to bite him when Wander Franco brought both runners home on a two-out, ninth-inning single. Given his long layoff and the Yankees' bullpen depth, German's odds of making the team's playoff roster -- should New York qualify for the postseason -- may be quite low.

Whitlock (pectoral) won't be reinstated from the 10-day injured list Saturday, Chris Cotillo of The Springfield Republican reports.

Whitlock threw a bullpen session Friday, but he won't rejoin the active roster Saturday. Manager Alex Cora isn't yet sure whether the right-hander will be able to return Sunday, but it wouldn't be surprising to see him available for the postseason if the Red Sox secure a wild-card spot.

Houck will start Saturday's game against the Nationals, Ian Browne of MLB.com reports.

Houck has pitched out of the bullpen in each of his last three appearances, and he posted a 4.26 ERA and 1.42 WHIP in 6.1 innings during that time. He tossed two innings against the Orioles on Tuesday and will pitch on short rest in Saturday's matchup against Washington.

Gonzales (10-6) was tagged with the loss Friday against the Angels after allowing two runs on three hits and two walks across six innings, fanning five. He also hit a batter.

Gonzales had to settle with an unfortunate loss due to the lack of run support, but the veteran ended the season on a strong note since he recorded five straight quality starts. The left-hander, who posted a 3.75 ERA since the beginning of September, ends the campaign with a 3.96 ERA and a 1.17 WHIP across 143.1 innings (25 starts), and he's now posted an ERA below the 4.00 threshold in each of his last three seasons, all of them with Seattle.