MLB Player News

Greinke allowed four runs on five hits and one walk over 4.2 innings in a no-decision against the A's on Thursday in Game 4 of the ALDS. He struck out two.

Greinke strangely flashed a sign before giving up a three-run homer to Ramon Laureano in the second inning, and he would go on to allow another homer to Laureano in the fifth. In the end, however, the Astros would win to earn another trip to the American League Championship Series. Greinke dealt with some arm soreness recently, but he told Alden Gonzalez of ESPN that it was not a problem Thursday. "If it feels how it felt today (in the ALCS), then it'll be no issue. Everything was fine when it comes to the arm," Greinke said.

Glasnow will start Game 5 of the ALDS against the Yankees on Friday, Juan Toribio of MLB.com reports.

Glasnow recorded 10 strikeouts in his start during the second game of the series against New York on Tuesday. Blake Snell was in line to start Game 5, but manager Kevin Cash instead elected to go with Glasnow on just two days' rest. However, Snell should be available along with the rest of the bullpen in this win-or-go-home game.

Cole won't be available for Game 4 of the ALDS against the Rays on Thursday but would start the decisive Game 5 on short rest Friday should the Yankees manage to extend the series, Lindsey Adler of The Athletic reports.

Cole has allowed five runs in 13 innings while striking out 21 and walking just two so far in the playoffs. He helped the Yankees to their only win of the series thus far in Game 1 and is seemingly still the team's top option for Game 5 even if not fully rested.

Greinke (arm) will start Game 4 of the ALDS against the Athletics, Chandler Rome of the Houston Chronicle reports.

Greinke closed the season poorly, posting a 6.07 ERA across his last five starts. He then was pulled after just four innings in Game 1 of the Wild Card Round against the Twins and was later revealed to be battling arm soreness. He's evidently healthy enough to pitch, though whether or not he'll be able to pitch at his usual level or go deep into the game remain to be seen.

Morton picked up the win during Game 3 of the ALDS against the Yankees on Wednesday after allowing two runs (one earned) on four hits with six strikeouts and two walks over five innings.

The 26-year-old ran into trouble during the third inning but stranded the bases loaded after giving up a run, and he stranded a runner on second base after giving up a run-scoring double during the fifth inning. Morton had a strong outing in his first playoff start of the year and will look to carry that into the ALCS if the Rays can close out the series.

Luzardo struggled in 4.1 innings of work Wednesday, allowing four earned runs. He gave up five hits and walked two while striking out two in a victory over the Astros in Game 3 of the ALDS.

Luzardo battled through 4.1 innings as he threw 44 of his 73 pitches for strikes. The 23-year-old rookie has struggled in both of his postseason starts, allowing a combined seven runs in 7.2 innings of work. The left-hander had a 4.12 ERA and 1.27 WHIP during the regular season and his next chance at taking the mound will be if the Athletics can advance to the ALCS.

Urquidy did not factor into the decision in Wednesday's loss to the Athletics during Game 3 of the ALDS, allowing four earned runs on four solo home runs, an additional hit and one walk while recording three strikeouts over 4.1 innings.

Urquidy was tested Wednesday, failing to make it out of the fifth inning. The 25-year-old threw 62 of his 79 pitches for strikes and recorded a first-pitch strike on 13 of the 21 batters that he faced. The right-hander had the first postseason setback of his young career, as he had never allowed more than one run in any other playoff appearance.

Manager Dusty Baker said Wednesday that Greinke (arm) isn't dealing with any structural damage, Chandler Rome of the Houston Chronicle reports.

Greinke wasn't available for the first two games of the ALDS, and he'll remain unavailable for Game 3 with the Astros carrying a 2-0 lead in the series. He threw after Game 2 on Tuesday, and the session went well, Brian McTaggart of MLB.com reports. Manager Dusty Baker declined to answer whether he could be available if the series advances past Wednesday, but it appears as though he's avoided a major injury for now.

Glasnow allowed four runs across five innings of work in a win over the Yankees in Game 2 of the ALDS on Tuesday. He gave up four hits and three walks while striking out 10.

Glasnow looked sharp as he struck out 10 Yankees in Tuesday's victory. The 27-year-old was made to pay for his two mistakes by Giancarlo Stanton as Stanton hit a solo shot in the second inning and a towering three-run homer in the fourth inning. The right-hander threw 58 of his 93 pitches for strikes and his next chance at taking the mound would be if the Rays can advance to the ALCS.

Valdez earned the win in Game 2 of the NLDS against the A's on Tuesday after allowing two runs on five hits with four strikeouts and one walk over seven innings.

The left-hander surrendered solo homers to Khris Davis and Chad Pinder, but he otherwise held Oakland in check. Valdez has been impressive in two playoff outings, giving up two runs on seven hits with a 9:3 K:BB across 12 innings. Valdez figures to take the mound early in the ALCS if the Astros are able to complete the series win over the A's.