MLB Player News

Luzardo, who recorded seven strikeouts over 5.2 innings of one-run ball for Triple-A Las Vegas in its playoff win over Sacramento on Friday, is fully stretched out and ready for a promotion if the Athletics' front office opts to move forward, Martin Gallegos of MLB.com reports.

Luzardo worked up to 91 pitches in Friday's win and has eclipsed the 90-pitch mark in back-to-back outings. The talented southpaw has also whiffed 17 batters over 11.2 innings in that pair of outings, so his swing-and-miss stuff appears to be in fine form as well. There isn't a spot in Oakland's starting rotation readily available at the moment, but the organization may still opt to give Luzardo his first taste of the big leagues during the stretch run.

Verlander (18-5) picked up the win in Saturday's 2-1 victory over the Mariners, allowing one run on four hits and a walk over seven innings while striking out seven.

Coming on the heels of his third career no-hitter against the Jays, Verlander showed no ill effects from his elevated workload in that outing, tossing 74 of 102 pitches for strikes while generating 16 swinging strikes to dominate the M's once again. The right-hander leads the majors with his 18 wins, and he'll carry a 2.52 ERA and 264:36 K:BB through 200 innings into his next start Thursday, at home against the A's.

Kikuchi didn't factor into the decision in Saturday's 2-1 loss to the Astros, allowing one run on five hits and two walks over five-plus innings while striking out five.

The southpaw rose to the challenge of facing off with Justin Verlander, throwing 60 of 92 pitches for strikes and actually keeping Houston off the board entirely until Alex Bregman touched Kikuchi up for a solo shot to lead off the sixth inning. He'll take a 5.24 ERA and 110:48 K:BB through 149.1 innings into his next start Friday, at home against the White Sox.

Civale surrendered one run on three hits and three walks over five innings during Saturday's 5-3 loss to Minnesota. He struck out four and did not factor in the decision.

The 24-year-old didn't have his best command Saturday and threw only 42 of his 80 pitches for strikes, but he was able to keep the Twins off the board after allowing a solo homer to Mitch Garver in the first inning. Civale continued his impressive rookie campaign and has a 1.93 ERA, 1.05 WHIP and 38:12 K:BB through 46.2 innings. He projects to pitch against the Twins again next weekend.

Odorizzi struck out 10 and allowed two runs on four hits over 5.1 innings during Saturday's win over the Indians. He walked two and did not factor in the decision.

Odorizzi kept Cleveland off the board until the sixth inning, when a pair of walks came around to score. The right-hander has a 3.05 ERA, 1.29 WHIP and 54:15 K:BB over his last eight starts and lines up to face the Indians again Friday.

Heaney (4-4) allowed four runs on six hits over six innings in a win over the White Sox on Saturday. He struck out eight and did not issue a walk.

Heaney ran into trouble in the first and in the fifth innings, but he allowed just a single baserunner in his other four frames. The lefty has missed time again this season with elbow and shoulder trouble, and the early results were ugly, but he seems to be healthy and hitting his stride as the season draws near a close. Since returning from the injured list Aug. 10, Heaney has posted a 3.28 ERA and 46:6 K:BB in 35.2 innings. He will look to keep it going next week in a home start against the Rays.

Morton struck out 10 while allowing three runs on five hits with two walks across six innings in a no-decision against the Blue Jays on Saturday.

The right-hander posted 10 strikeouts for the third time in his last six outings, giving him 45 in 33.1 innings. Morton failed to win this outing, but he remains one victory shy of tying a career high. He is 14-6 with a 3.11 ERA, 1.10 WHIP and 219 strikeouts in 176.1 innings this season. Morton will start on the road against the Rangers on Thursday.

Bassitt (10-5) allowed two runs on eight hits and struck out 11 over six innings, earning the victory in a 10-2 win over the Tigers on Saturday.

Bassitt allowed a two-run single to Harold Castro in the second inning, but he was able to keep it clean from there with plenty of run support from the A's. The right-hander also set a career high with the 11 strikeouts. For the year, Bassitt owns a 3.64 ERA, 1.20 WHIP and 129:44 K:BB in 136 innings. He is next expected to face the Rangers on Friday in a road start.

Manager Aaron Boone said Severino (lat) could make his next start for Double-A Trenton, but the team has yet to make a final decision for his next appearance, Lindsey Adler of The Athletic reports.

Severino made his second rehab appearance with Trenton on Friday and the Yankees are expected to decide this weekend their plans for his next outing. The 25-year-old threw 50 pitches over three innings Friday, which provides some idea of his potential usage should he next appear in the majors. Per Adler, Boone also said that Severino will not follow an opener and will be used as a traditional starter.

Gibson (abdomen) is expected to return next week during the Twins' series against the Nationals, which runs from Tuesday to Thursday, Dan Hayes of The Athletic reports.

Gibson has been sidelined since the start of September with ulcerative colitis, but he appears to be trending in the right direction. His exact return date should become clearer within the next few days.