MLB Player News

Schmidt was optioned to Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre on Monday, Bryan Hoch of MLB.com reports.

Schmidt was called up for his first start of the season Sunday against the Mets and pitched poorly, allowing five runs (two earned) on seven hits and three walks in 4.1 innings of work. He'll return to the minors while waiting for his next chance but didn't do much to encourage the Yankees to give him another one any time soon.

Baz (illness) started Saturday for Triple-A Durham in its 6-1 win over Norfolk, covering six innings and allowing one earned run on three hits and a walk while striking out 10.

The 22-year-old righty didn't miss a beat in his return to the mound after a stomach virus resulted in him being pushed back a couple days in Durham's pitching schedule. Since earning a promotion from Double-A Montgomery in mid-June, Baz has submitted a 1.76 ERA, 0.85 WHIP and 64:11 K:BB in 46 innings. He could be in the mix for a call-up to the big leagues in the second half of September as the Rays look to strengthen their pitching staff ahead of the postseason.

Taillon (ankle) was spotted throwing on the field Monday prior to the Yankees' make-up game against the Twins, Kristie Ackert of the New York Daily News reports.

Taillon's presence on the field to begin the week suggests he responded well to the platelet-rich plasma injection he recently received in his right ankle, but he'll still need to get back on a mound and complete a bullpen session before the Yankees pinpoint a target date for his return from the 10-day injured list. With Taillon on the shelf, rookie Luis Gil will stick in the New York rotation for the time being and pick up his fifth start with the big club Monday.

Gil will start Monday's game against the Twins.

Gil initially looked like he would only be making a spot start when the Yankees recalled him from Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre last week, but he'll end up making a second turn through the rotation after Jameson Taillon (ankle) was placed on the injured list a day after the rookie's outing. After opening his big-league career with 18 strikeouts in 15.2 scoreless innings in his first three starts with the Yankees, Gil took a step back in the Sept. 8 loss to the Blue Jays, lasting only 3.1 innings while allowing one run and issuing a whopping seven walks. Even in his prior three starts, Gil was still walking batters at an elevated 10.9 percent rate, so he'll still carry some risk as a season-long streamer or DFS play in a more favorable matchup versus Minnesota.

Cole (hamstring) remains the Yankees' probable starter for Tuesday's game against the Orioles, Bryan Hoch of MLB.com reports.

Cole exited his previous start against the Blue Jays last Tuesday due to left hamstring tightness, but reports about his return have remained optimistic. He'll wind up getting two extra days of rest, but it doesn't look as though he'll require a trip to the injured list, as he's gotten through a bullpen session without issues and is reportedly ready to go.

McCullers (12-4) earned the win Sunday against the Angels after tossing six innings of one-run ball, allowing three hits and two walks while fanning seven. He also hit a batter.

McCullers has now given up two or fewer runs in each of his last three appearances and has also struck out at least seven in each of his last two outings, so he seems to be leaving behind a rough stretch right after the All-Star break. He owns a 3.34 ERA across 11 appearances since July 16 onward, but the fact that he has given up four runs in three of those contests suggests he's been a bit more inconsistent than what his ERA would seem to indicate at first glance.

Ober allowed three runs on five hits while striking out six over 4.1 innings Sunday against the Royals. He did not factor into the decision.

The Royals got on the board right away against Ober with a double and a base hit before Salvador Perez hit a sacrifice fly to score Whit Merrifield. Adalberto Mondesi then led off the second inning with a solo blast to right. Ober held the Royals' bats quiet over the next two innings but then started the fifth by allowing a pair of base hits with one out before his day was finished. One of the runners would come in to score, charging a third run to Ober on his final line. The 25-year-old has now failed to reach five innings in back-to-back starts and owns a 4.12 ERA, 1.22 WHIP and 87:17 K:BB over 83 innings. He's lined up to take the mound next weekend against the scorching hot Blue Jays lineup.

Bubic allowed three runs (two earned) on four hits and a walk while striking out six over 5.1 innings in a no-decision against the Twins on Sunday.

Bubic began Sunday by allowing a leadoff double to Byron Buxton who eventually came around to score. He quieted the Twins' bats over the next few frames before running into some trouble in the sixth. Two singles and a walk would load the bases before Bubic's day was done. Two of the runners he left stranded would come in to score on a double by Brent Rooker. The 23-year-old hasn't picked up a decision since Aug. 21, which was the last time he managed to pitch to six innings. Bubic owns a 4.99 ERA, 1.49 WHIP and 101:54 K:BB over 110 innings this season. He lines up for a home start against the Mariners next weekend.

Whitlock (8-4) allowed one run on one hit while striking out two over two-thirds of an inning in a loss to the White Sox on Sunday.

Whitlock came in to try and extend the game to extra innings after the Red Sox tied it up in the top of the ninth but was unable to do so. The 25-year-old struck out the first two batters he faced before Leury Garcia connected on an 0-2 fastball and sent it over the wall in center field to walk it off for the White Sox. Whitlock has now given up at least a run in three of his last four outings but still has been pretty effective overall. He has a 1.92 ERA, 1.12 WHIP and 78:16 K:BB over 70.1 innings to go along with two saves and 13 holds. The Red Sox clearly trust him in high-leverage situations and should continue to use him in those situations during the final stretch of the regular season.

Lynn allowed just two hits and struck out nine over five innings Sunday against the Red Sox. He did not factor into the decision.

Lynn pitched for the first time since Aug. 28 after a brief stint on the injured list and showcased some of his best stuff of the season. The 34-year-old did not issue any free passes. He had 13 swings and misses to strike out nine batters, his highest total since July 2. He was pulled after throwing just 70 pitches despite being in a nice groove. Lynn now owns a 2.50 ERA, 1.05 WHIP and 161:42 K:BB over 140.2 innings. He lines up for a very favorable matchup against the Rangers next weekend.