MLB Player News

Montas was optioned to Triple-A Nashville on Sunday.

The Athletics determined that Montas was in need of further refinement in the minors after he allowed 10 runs over 4.2 innings in his last four appearances. The hard-throwing right-hander had previously been developed as a starting pitching prospect, but since finding the strike zone has consistently proved to be an issue across multiple stops in the minors, it appears the Athletics are viewing him as a reliever over the long haul.

Stroman (7-2) dealt seven strong innings, allowing one earned run on six hits and no walks while striking out six in Saturday's victory over Seattle.

Saturday marked Stroman's third straight quality start and ninth of the year (13 starts). Dating back to April 23, the right-hander is 6-0 with a 2.77 ERA and 53 strikeouts over 61.2 innings. Through a third of the 2017 season, he ranks in the AL's top 10 for wins, innings pitched and ERA. Stroman has a date with the White Sox for his next start Saturday.

Gray didn't factor into the decision against Tampa Bay in the first game of a doubleheader Saturday but recorded 10 strikeouts and allowed five runs (two earned) on nine hits and a walk over six innings.

Gray racked up a whopping 22 swings and misses over the 70 pitches he threw for strikes, posting his second-highest strikeout total of the season in the process. The 27-year-old now has back-to-back quality starts after having surrendered seven earned runs on nine hits over 4.2 innings against the Indians on May 30. That outing represents the right-hander's one true stumble this season, as he yielded no more than four earned runs in any of his other seven trips to the mound. Gray will have a challenge on his hands when he takes on the explosive Yankees offense in his next start at home Friday.

Sale (8-2) gave up three runs on nine hits over seven innings in a win over the Tigers on Saturday. He struck out seven and did not issue a walk.

After eight consecutive double-digit strikeout performances, Sale has now fallen short of 10 strikeouts in four straight outings. He's also given up 25 hits in his last three starts, but his control remains sharp and he's won seven straight decisions. There's little reason to think Sale won't continue to produce like an ace the rest of the way.

Verlander (4-4) allowed three runs on five hits and four walks while striking out three batters over five innings against the Red Sox on Saturday. He did not factor into the decision in the Tigers' 11-3 loss.

A groin issue cut Verlander's last outing short, and while he was cleared to return Saturday, it was more of the same from the veteran right-hander. He labored through a 39-pitch third inning and was chased after five as he was unable to put hitters away. "It seems to be the general theme this year," Verlander told Jason Beck of MLB.com. "I need to find a way to get guys to swing and miss or put it in play weakly. Fouling balls off right now, it's killing me. It's extending at-bats. Guys are finding a way to have 10-pitch at-bats, and then if they happen to get on, they're spoiling really good pitches."

Nolasco (2-7) tossed seven innings of two-run ball but was stuck with the loss Saturday against the Astros. He gave up eight hits and zero walks while striking out two batters.

The ultra quality start -- Nolasco's second start of the season with seven-plus innings and two runs or fewer allowed -- brought his ERA back below 5.00. He gave up a home run to Brian McCann and has now allowed 19 homers in 73 innings this season, most in the American League. He lines up for what seems like a favorable home start against the Royals his next time out, but Nolasco has been too inconsistent to trust in most mixed formats.

Berrios gave up two earned runs over 5.1 innings with eight strikeouts and three walks to improve to 5-1 in Saturday's win at San Francisco.

Berrios has put together back-to-back wins since his first loss of the season by allowing just four runs over his last 11.1 innings with 12 strikeouts in his last two starts. He continues to look like a completely different pitcher than the one who allowed an 8.02 ERA and 5.4 BB/9 last season.

German was recalled by the Yankees following Saturday's game.

The 24-year-old right-hander will get his first big-league opportunity, likely piggybacking with Chad Green in Sunday's series finale against Baltimore. German can provide several innings out of the bullpen with Green on a pitch count. He tossed 5.2 innings of one-run ball with seven strikeouts and two walks in his most recent start for Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre.

German will not start Sunday against the Orioles, Bryan Hoch of MLB.com reports.

A New York Daily News report suggested German was likely to get the call to start Sunday, but the Yankees announced following Saturday's game that it will be Chad Green in the series finale. German will continue to await his opportunity.

Bundy (6-5) allowed three runs on five hits and two walks while striking out six over six frames in Friday's loss at Yankee Stadium.

The right-hander turned in a solid outing, inducing 14 swinging strikes en route to his third quality start in four games. It took 13 starts, but Bundy's ERA pushed above three for the first time all season following Friday's performance. Overall, the second-year starter has been everything the O's (and his fantasy owners) could have wanted in 2017. Bundy's been the best pitcher on the club's staff and has delivered great return on investment across most formats. He'll look to keep it going Wednesday when he takes on the White Sox.