MLB Player News

McClanahan (knee) will be on the Rays' playoff roster, Marc Topkin of the Tampa Bay Times reports.

The lefty is evidently past the hyperextended knee he was dealing with at the Rays' alternate site. He's yet to appear in a major-league game but could get the chance to do so for the first time in the playoffs. He's hasn't even pitched in a game at the Triple-A level and has made just four Double-A starts, struggling to an 8.35 ERA. His overall 3.36 ERA and 30.6 percent strikeout rate in 120.2 minor-league innings are strong marks, however.

Paxton (forearm) was able to play catch Monday, but manager Aaron Boone said the lefty might not be available until late in the postseason, James Wagner of The New York Times reports.

Paxton was transferred to the 45-day injured list Sept. 16, and there haven't been reports of him throwing off a mound since suffering a setback earlier this month. The southpaw should continue to travel with the Yankees throughout the postseason while he navigates through the rehab process, but New York may need to reach the ALCS or World Series for him to have a shot at pitching again in 2020.

Paxton (forearm) threw on flat ground at Yankee Stadium on Sunday, the Associated Press reports.

This is the first report of Paxton throwing since he was shut down following a setback Sept. 9. The left-hander could theoretically help out in the postseason if he is able to progress over the next few weeks, though such a scenario is unlikely given that Paxton has not pitched off a mound in over a month. He compiled only 20.1 innings overall this season, registering a 6.64 ERA and 1.48 WHIP.

The Athletics optioned Blackburn to their alternate training site Sunday.

Blackburn made his lone appearance of the regular season Saturday, when he started the second game of the Athletics' twin bill with the Mariners. He didn't make a positive impression during the spot start, giving up seven runs on five hits and two walks over 2.1 innings. Blackburn won't be a serious candidate to fill a spot on the Athletics' postseason roster.

Gonzales allowed two runs on six hits and one walk across five innings in Sunday's loss to the Athletics. He struck out five and did not factor in the decision.

A pair of hits led to a run off Gonzales in the first, but the southpaw was able to settle down to keep the A's off the board during the next three frames. Oakland tagged him with one more run in the fifth when Chad Pinder drove in Sean Murphy with a two-out single. Gonzales ultimately took a no-decision after exiting with the game tied at 2-2. The left-hander concludes the season with a strong 3.10 ERA and 0.95 WHIP to go along with a 7-2 record.

Hill allowed one run on two hits and three walks while striking out four over 5.2 innings in a no-decision against the Reds on Sunday.

The lefty got the better of Sonny Gray in what was potentially the 40-year-old's final MLB start -- the Twins are going with Michael Pineda as their No. 3 starter in the postseason. However, the bullpen couldn't hold the lead Sunday and thus the Twins were stuck with their first series loss at Target Field this season. Hill closes out the 2020 regular season with a 2-2 record, 3.03 ERA, 1.16 WHIP and 31:17 K:BB in 38.2 innings around a stint on the IL with shoulder trouble.

Montas struck out 13 while allowing two runs (zero earned) on four hits and two walks across six innings in Sunday's win over Seattle. He did not factor in the decision.

The right-hander entered the start in a major funk, having allowed 29 runs across in his last 24 innings. He found his groove Sunday, however, setting a season high in punchouts while working through the sixth inning for the first time since Aug. 8. The Mariners were able to score single runs in the first and second innings, but both were unearned as a result of errors by Marcus Semien and Jake Lamb. The A's will certainly feel more confident in using Montas in the postseason after his strong outing, though it's currently unclear if they plan on using him as a starter or reliever.

Schmidt (0-1) allowed three runs on four hits and two walks while striking out four over four innings as he was charged with the loss Sunday against the Marlins.

Schmidt was making his first major-league start in Sunday's regular-season finale, and he gave up three runs in the second frame while only lasting four innings overall. He was charged with the loss as the Marlins' pitching staff tossed a shutout in the contest. The highly touted prospect had mixed results in his first three big-league appearances in 2020, and it's unclear whether he'll play a role for the Yankees during the postseason.

Lyles allowed two runs on four hits and two walks while striking out four over three innings in Sunday's win against the Astros. He didn't factor into the decision.

Lyles lasted at least five frames in each of his last five starts, but he was removed fairly early in Sunday's season finale after giving up runs in the first and third innings. The right-hander finished the 2020 campaign with a 1-6 record while posting a 7.02 ERA and 36:23 K:BB over 57.2 innings.

Quantrill gave up two runs (one earned) on four hits and struck out two over three innings in a no-decision versus the Pirates on Sunday.

Quantrill saw the most work out of the eight pitchers Cleveland used Sunday. The 25-year-old righty has amassed a 2.25 ERA, 1.22 WHIP and 31:8 K:BB across 32 innings between Cleveland and San Diego in 2020. Quantrill figures to work out of the bullpen during the playoffs.