MLB Player News

Astros starter Lance McCullers took his seventh loss despite allowing three runs on four hits over seven innings Tuesday against the Angels. He struck out nine and didn't walk a batter.

McCullers was aces after serving up home runs to Mike Trout and Albert Pujols in the first inning, as his next six went scoreless and he induced 12 swinging strikes and eight ground balls in 111 pitches. McCullers has quality starts in five of his past six starts and a brilliant 37:11 K:BB in that span. His ERA is a nifty 3.22.

White Sox starter Jose Quintana surrendered eight hits, an earned run and a walk over seven innings on Tuesday against the Tigers. He struck out five but did not factor into the decision.

Quintana continued his outstanding September, although he failed to factor into the decision for a second consecutive quality start. The young southpaw gave up only one earned run for the third consecutive start and once again displayed sharp control, yielding only one free pass for the second straight appearance.

Quintana brought his ERA to a new season low of 3.38 and is sporting an impressive 1.67 BB/9 rate in four September starts, a marked improvement over the 1.96 figure in that category he entered the month with.

White Sox pitcher Frankie Montas is listed as the probable starter for Wednesday's game against the Tigers.

Lengthy outings from Jeff Samardzija and Erik Johnson during Monday's doubleheader spared the bullpen, and Montas will reap the benefits, as he will be afforded his first career start at the major league level. Using a high-90s fastball and a slider, Montas has fanned 10 while allowing just one run in eight innings with the big club since his September callup, though he hasn't thrown more than 65 pitches in an appearance and may face a strict pitch count Wednesday.

Twins starting pitcher Ricky Nolasco (ankle) will need to throw one more side session before possibly being activated, Mike Berardino of the St. Paul Pioneer Press reports.

He threw 49 pitches in an intrasquad game Monday, but it remains to be seen if Nolasco will have enough time to be cleared to pitch again in 2015.

Rangers starting pitcher Cole Hamels' next start was moved up to Thursday in Oakland.

This is a nice break for his fantasy owners, as Hamels will now be able to make three more starts this season instead of two. Yovani Gallardo will switch places with Hamels and take the ball Friday against the Astros.

Athletics pitcher Sonny Gray's start will be pushed back to Friday against the Giants, the San Francisco Chronicle's Susan Slusser reports.

From a matchup standpoint it actually works out nicely for Gray's owners, as he faces the Giants instead of the Rangers this week. Following Friday's outing Gray will presumably get one final start in the last series of the season in Seattle.

Athletics pitcher Chris Bassitt (shoulder) will start Thursday's game against the Rangers, the San Francisco Chronicle's Susan Slusser reports.

After missing almost a month with the sore shoulder, Bassitt will be able to return to the mound for at least one more start in 2015. He has a 2.73 ERA in 62 2/3 innings as a starter this season, but it would not be surprising if his pitch count was monitored Thursday.

Astros starter Dallas Keuchel improved to 18-8 with a win Monday against the Angels, as he allowed one run on six hits and a walk over 7 2/3 innings. He struck out six.

Keuchel broke the 200 strikeout milestone Monday night, as he's now up to 203 on the season against just 47 walks. Keuchel now has the AL leads in wins, innings pitched and shutouts (tied with three others) as he makes his push for the American League Cy Young Award, but David Price (17-5, 2.34 ERA, 219 strikeouts) will be tough competition.

Red Sox pitcher Eduardo Rodriguez hurled a quality start in a no decision Monday against Tampa, as he allowed three runs on six hits and two walks over six innings. He struck out four.

Rodriguez was sharp, as he induced 12 swinging strikes in just 91 pitches. He tossed five shutout innings after a three-run first, which included an infield single RBI from Logan Forsythe. Rodriguez owns a 3.97 ERA in in 115 2/3 MLB innings and will likely make only one more start this year, as his 164 innings between MLB and the minors is the most of his career.

Twins pitcher Tommy Milone will miss his next scheduled start due to shoulder fatigue, the Minneapolis Star Tribune reports.

"It was a combination of just not quite feeling right and a lack of feel for pitches," manager Paul Molitor said. "I think it's a little soreness, but more just a fatigue thing than soreness."

He'll be replaced by Phil Hughes for Wednesday's start. It's not clear how long Milone will be out or if he'll be available out of the bullpen.