MLB Player News

Rodon underwent arthroscopic surgery on his left shoulder Wednesday, and is expected to miss 6-to-8 months while recovering from the injury, Jon Heyman of FanRag Sports reports.

Although significant bursitis was found, this was a relatively good outcome for Rodon, as both the biceps and labrum didn't need any repair. Looking ahead to next season, the club stated that he could be ready for action as soon as Opening Day, or as late as June 1. It will likely be closer to the latter, but a better sense of a timetable should become present as we approach the start of the 2018 season.

Carrasco (18-6) pitched 8.1 scoreless innings with 14 strikeouts to take the win against Minnesota on Thursday.

This was another dominant showing from Carrasco, and strong outings have become commonplace down the stretch for the 30-year-old righty. Additionally, it was especially encouraging because the Twins are a potential playoff opponent. Thursday finishes off the 2017 regular season for Carrasco, and he posted a career-best fantasy campaign with 18 wins, a 3.29 ERA, 1.10 WHIP and 10.2 K/9.

Paxton retains "a 50 percent chance" of starting the Mariners' final game of the season this coming Sunday, Greg Johns of MLB.com reports.

The odds were cited by manager Scott Servais, who was scheduled to meet with Paxton on Wednesday to discuss the matter. Servais emphasized that Paxton wants to take the mound for the final game of the regular season, but that he'd like to talk through the pros and cons of making the start with him before a decision is reached. The Mariners have already pulled Mike Leake and Felix Hernandez from their scheduled starts Friday and Saturday, leaving open the possibility that they may opt to do the same with Paxton, who had a recent disabled list stint due to a pectoral injury.

Severino (14-6) earned the win after allowing one run on four hits and a walk through six innings Wednesday against the Rays. He struck out nine batters.

Severino was filthy in this one, inducing 18 swinging strikes and tossing 66 of his 91 pitches for strikes. The 23-year-old has now gone eight straight starts without allowing more than three runs, a stretch over which he's compiled an impressive 1.99 ERA, 0.85 WHIP and 64:13 K:BB in 49.2 innings. After struggling to a 5.89 ERA last season, Severino has bounced back and established himself as the Yankees' ace -- and one of the better pitchers in baseball -- posting a 2.98 ERA, 1.04 WHIP and 230:51 K:BB through 193.1 innings this season. Unless the Red Sox fail to clinch the division by Sunday, it looks like Severino will get the ball for the Yankees' crucial wild-card matchup against the Twins.

Hammel gave up three runs on six hits over six innings Wednesday, striking out six and walking two in a no-decision against Detroit.

That ends Hammel's 2017 season -- a disappointing campaign in which he put up a 5.29 ERA and 1.43 WHIP, brutal stats that leave him out of consideration in the vast majority of fantasy formats. At least he was able to close out the season on a relatively positive note after going 0-3 with 18 runs allowed in 12.2 innings spanning his prior three starts.

Manager Mike Scioscia said Heaney (shoulder) won't make another start before the end of the season, Jeff Fletcher of The Orange County Register reports.

Heaney was going to start Thursday if the Angels were still in playoff contention, but that's no longer the case after Wednesday's loss to the White Sox, so Bud Norris will get the ball instead. Scioscia noted Heaney is healthy enough to make the start, but the team doesn't want to push it now that they're simply playing out the season.

Mejia (4-7) took the loss against Cleveland on Wednesday, giving up two runs on five hits and three walks over 3.2 innings while striking out three.

It was another early exit for the young lefty, who hasn't completed five innings in a start since the end of July. Mejia could see some postseason action this year if the Twins qualify for and are able to advance past the Wild Card Game, but as yet he hasn't done nearly enough to lock himself into a rotation spot for 2018.

McCullers will start Saturday against the Red Sox, Jake Kaplan of the Houston Chronicle reports.

McCullers lasted just 3.1 innings in his previous start last Sunday, his first outing since Sept. 6. He's still in play for a spot in the postseason rotation, but will need to prove he can throw at least six innings. If not, a postseason role as a long reliever awaits.

Heaney (shoulder) could start Thursday's game against the White Sox, Pedro Moura of the Los Angeles Times reports.

Heaney has been sidelined since Sept. 9 with an impingement in his shoulder. He was able to complete a bullpen session with no issues Tuesday, and if the Angels aren't eliminated from the playoffs come Thursday, they'll send Heaney out for the start. If either the Angels lose or the Twins win, thus eliminating Los Angeles from the playoff picture, Bud Norris will toe the rubber for the Angels.

Verlander (15-8) allowed two runs on six hits while striking out 11 batters through six innings to take the win against Texas on Wednesday.

Verlander has now won five consecutive games since joining Houston, and he's also done in it impressive fashion with just four runs allowed while striking out 43 batters through 34 innings. He'll take a high-end 3.36 ERA, 1.17 WHIP and 10.3 K/9 into the postseason, as the 34-year-old veteran pursues a championship to add to his already lengthy list of accolades.