MLB Player News

Montgomery (shoulder) was activated off the 60-day injured list Sunday but will follow opener Chad Green, rather than starting as previously reported, Randy Miller of The Newark Star-Ledger reports.

Montgomery is set for his first big-league outing of the season after recovering from both Tommy John surgery and shoulder inflammation. The news that he'll follow an opener would seem to be a slight boost to his fantasy value, as he could have a shot at a win without needing to pitch five innings. He hasn't thrown more than three innings in any of his four rehab appearances.

Cease didn't factor into the decision in Saturday's 2-1 extra-inning loss to the Mariners, giving up one run on three hits and three walks over five innings while striking out five.

The young right-hander engaged in a pitching duel with Felix Hernandez, but Cease stumbled first by serving up a solo shot to Shed Long in the fifth inning. Walks (4.4 BB/9) and homers (2.0 HR/9) continue to be issues for the 23-year-old, but his upside is undeniable if he can sharpen his command. He'll take a 6.18 ERA and 73:33 K:BB through his first 67 big-league innings into his next start Friday in Detroit.

Glasnow didn't factor into the decision in Saturday's 3-1 win over the Angels, giving up two hits and a walk over three scoreless innings while striking out five.

The right-hander got stretched out to 51 pitches (29 strikes) in his second outing since returning from the injured list, but he looked much sharper in this one than he did last weekend against the Jays. Glasnow has a 10:3 K:BB through five innings in September, and the Rays will continue gradually increasing his workload as they try to lock down a wild-card spot. His next start is scheduled for Friday, at home against Boston.

Paxton (14-6) allowed one run on three hits with two walks and three strikeouts across five innings while earning a victory against the Blue Jays on Saturday.

The 30-year-old has been able to win some games this season because of the Yankees offense, but lately, he's been spectacular, and it's led to a nine-game winning streak. In his last nine starts, Paxton is 9-0 with a 2.50 ERA, and he's yielded just one run in his last 18.2 frames. Overall, Paxton owns a 3.88 ERA, 1.30 WHIP and 178 strikeouts in 143.2 innings this season. He will be on the mound again next Saturday at home against the Blue Jays.

Rodriguez struck out 12 batters over 6.2 innings Saturday against the Phillies, allowing just a single run on four hits and a walk.

Rodriguez was completely dominant through six frames, allowing just a pair of two-out singles. Manager Alex Cora made a possibly ill-advised decision to let the starter hit with two outs and the bases loaded and just a one-run lead in the seventh inning, though, as Rodriguez went on to walk in the game-tying run in the bottom half of the frame before being pulled with two outs. Despite failing to record the win, it was a dominant start for the lefty, who's now allowed no more than one run in five of his last six starts.

Luzardo could get a chance to start after Mike Fiers left Saturday's game against the Rangers with nerve irritation, Susan Slusser of the San Francisco Chronicle reports.

Luzardo was used in a multi-inning relief role in his only big-league appearance to date. The Athletics don't necessarily need to replace Fiers in the rotation any time soon, as they've been going with a six-man rotation lately and have off days coming up Thursday and the following Monday. Still, the team could be looking for an excuse to see what Luzardo can do as a starter, so there's a chance he's given an opportunity.

Greinke (16-5) struck out seven and picked up the win Saturday, allowing one run on six hits over six innings in a 6-1 victory over the Royals.

It was the right-hander's first ever win over Kansas City, the team he began his career with back in 2004. Greinke is 6-1 with a 3.10 ERA and 39:8 K:BB through 49.1 innings in eight starts since joining the Astros, and he'll look to stay in the win column in his next outing Friday, at home against the Angels.

Berrios will start Monday against the White Sox instead of Sunday against the Indians as originally expected, Do-Hyoung Park of MLB.com reports.

Berrios is simply set to receive some extra rest in order to keep him fresh down the stretch and into the playoffs. He'll lose out on a two-start week this week but looks set to pick one up next week, pitching Monday against the White Sox and Saturday against the Royals. Randy Dobnak will start Sunday.

Clevinger (11-3) allowed two runs on six hits and one walk over eight innings Saturday in the first game of a doubleheader against Minnesota. He struck out 10 but took the loss in a 2-0 defeat.

Clevinger's only misstep was a third-inning, two-run homer to Jorge Polanco. Still, it was another strong outing for the 28-year-old righty, who had won 10 straight decisions coming into the contest and gave the Indians 112 pitches before being removed. Clevinger owns a stellar 2.68 ERA, 1.02 WHIP and 149:33 K:BB, and lines up to face the Phillies at home next week.

Luzardo is most likely to continue logging multi-inning relief appearances during the balance of the regular season, Alyson Footer of MLB.com reports. "I think he's comfortable doing the piggyback thing," manager Bob Melvin said. "It's kind of like starting, it's just starting a little bit later. The way our guys are pitching right now, I don't think we try to jam anything in there, just to try to get him a start, at least at this point."

Luzardo's next trip to the mound won't come until Sunday at the earliest according to Melvin, and it appears the left-handed phenom's first chance at a conventional start may not come until 2020. Luzardo could certainly be a valuable middle-relief asset for Melvin down the stretch this season if his first appearance is any indication, as the 21-year-old was impressive while allowing just one hit, a solo home run, over three innings versus the Astros last Wednesday in his big-league debut.