MLB Player News

Verlander (21-6) allowed three runs on four hits while striking out 12 over six innings in a win over the Angels on Saturday. He did not issue a walk.

With his fourth-inning punchout of Kole Calhoun, Verlander became just the 18th pitcher in Major League Baseball history to record 3,000 strikeouts. He also reached 300 strikeouts in a single season for the first time in his illustrious career. The 36 homers allowed are something of an eyesore, but Verlander has been the top fantasy pitcher despite those issues. Look for him to get the ball in Game 1 of the ALDS next Friday.

Luzardo gave up one hit and hit a batter in two scoreless innings Saturday against the Mariners en route to his second save of the season. He struck out three.

Luzardo made things somewhat interesting with two outs in the ninth, allowing a single to Tom Murphy, uncorking a wild pitch and then plunking Dylan Moore. However, he then got Tim Lopes to pop out to end the threat and secure a 1-0 victory. Liam Hendriks is still the closer heading into the postseason, but Luzardo has pitched exceedingly well since his callup and it's clear manager Bob Melvin already has a great deal of faith in the young lefty.

Gonzales (16-13) allowed one run on five hits and three walks while striking out four over seven innings in a loss to the A's on Saturday.

It was a quality start, and in fact an "ultra quality start," but Brett Anderson and company blanked the Mariners and thus Gonzales was stuck with the loss. The left-handed Gonzales ends the year with a 3.99 ERA, 1.31 WHIP and 147:56 K:BB in 203 innings. He looks like a lock to make his second straight Opening Day start for Seattle in 2020.

Boyd (9-12) took the loss Saturday against the White Sox as he allowed four runs (two earned) on six hits across four innings. He walked one and struck out four.

Boyd wrapped up his 2019 campaign with a mediocre outing, and that's been the story for the lefty in the second half of the season. Before the All-Star break, he had a 3.87 ERA over 18 starts, but in the 14 games since, Boyd posted a 5.51 mark. The 28-year-old was still easily Detroit's best starter this year, and his 238:50 K:BB in 185.1 innings shows how dominant he can be at times. Boyd will search for more consistency heading into 2020.

Means (12-11) earned the win Saturday against the Red Sox, allowing three runs on five hits in five innings. He struck out five batters while walking two.

Means allowed three runs on a pair of homers in the first inning but settled down for four scoreless frames after that. His 12-11 record for the 54-win Orioles can't quite compare to Steve Carlton's 27-10 record for the 59-win Phillies back in 1972, but recording a winning record on a team this poor is still no small feat. The 26-year-old's 4.42 FIP and 5.48 xFIP don't provide much support for his strong 3.60 ERA, though, so he could be in line for a fair amount of regression next season.

Paxton (glute) had an MRI, which revealed nerve irritation, and he does not not expect the injury to affect his postseason preparation, Meredith Marakovits of YES Network reports.

He took medication and expects to be able to make a normal start in the ALDS, although the exact rotation schedule for the Yankees has not been confirmed. Paxton should start either Game 1 or Game 2 against the Twins.

Cease was diagnosed with a Grade 1 (mild) hamstring strain.

He did not make his scheduled start Thursday due to the injury, and clearly won't be able to pitch again this season. His recovery timeline is 2-to-4 weeks, so he should have a normal offseason.

Morton, who last pitched Wednesday, is the likeliest candidate to draw a start for Wednesday's American League Wild Card Game, Juan Toribio of MLB.com reports.

Morton has been a stalwart of the Rays' traditional starting pitchers this season, as evidenced by a 16-6 record, 3.05 ERA, 1.08 WHIP and eye-popping 240 strikeouts across 194.2 innings. The right-hander thus shapes up as a natural candidate for a high-leverage scenario such as a one-game playoff, and both his 13.1 innings of one-run ball over two starts against the opposing Athletics this season and Morton's past postseason experience only serve to further his formidable case. Manager Kevin Cash is expected to make a final decision regarding the all-important matter by weekend's end, and if Morton does get the call, he'll do so on six days' rest.

Odorizzi is no longer scheduled to start Sunday's game against the Royals.

He had been listed as the starter for the season finale earlier in the week, but the Twins will opt to rest their No. 2 starter in favor of giving Martin Perez the ball Sunday. Odorizzi dealt with a tight left hamstring in his last start, but it was a minor issue. He is expected to start Game 2 of the ALDS on Oct. 5.

Urquidy (2-1) struck out two over six scoreless innings, allowing only three hits and a walk in a 4-0 win over the Angels.

Urquidy has only allowed three runs over his last 18 innings. The 24-year-old will likely end the regular season with a 3.95 ERA, 1.10 WHIP and 40:7 K:BB in 41 innings across nine appearances (seven starts).