MLB Player News

Montero will start Wednesday in Game 3 of the ALDS versus the Guardians.

Montero tossed two shutout innings in relief in Game 1 and will now be handed a start on three days' rest. The right-hander was used primarily as a starter by the Tigers this season, but while he's capable of providing length, manager A.J. Hinch no doubt will have a short leash with Montero. Lefty Brant Hurter is a prime candidate to enter after Montero and provide multiple innings.

Dubon will undergo surgery to repair a torn UCL in his left thumb, Chandler Rome of The Athletic reports.

Rome reveals that Dubon suffered the injury back on Sept. 6 but elected to delay surgery until the offseason. The rehab is expected to take 6-to-8 weeks, so the utility player should be ready to go for the start of spring training. Dubon is slated for salary arbitration for a third year this offseason after slashing .269/.296/.361 with four home runs and three stolen bases over 137 contests.

Wacha will start Thursday in Game 4 of the ALDS against the Yankees, Anne Rogers of MLB.com reports.

Wacha had a rough outing in Game 1 on Saturday, allowing three earned runs on four hits and three walks over four innings en route to a loss. The 33-year-old righty is no stranger to poor postseason performances, as he owns a 5.36 ERA over 42 innings across nine playoff appearances in his career.

Lugo will start Wednesday in Game 3 of the ALDS against the Yankees, Anne Rogers of MLB.com reports.

Lugo will toe the rubber Wednesday night after the Royals were able to even the series Monday. The right-hander turned in a decent outing in Game 2 of the AL Wild Card Series against Baltimore, allowing one run on five hits and one walk while striking out six over 4.1 innings.

Yankees manager Aaron Boone said Monday that Gil will be available out of the bullpen in the ALDS but will rejoin the rotation for the ALCS, should the team advance, Chris Kirschner of The Athletic reports.

Clarke Schmidt was the choice for the Game 3 start over Gil, but it sounds like Gil would re-enter the rotation for a potential ALCS even if Nestor Cortes (elbow) winds up being available. Boone noted that he'll be flexible with what kind of relief role Gil fills in the ALDS, as it could be anything from bulk relief to high-leverage, one-inning situations.

Yankees manager Aaron Boone said Monday that Schmidt will start Wednesday in Game 3 of the ALDS, Bryan Hoch of MLB.com reports.

He's the choice over Luis Gil, who will be available in relief for the ALDS. A right lat strain limited Schmidt to just 16 starts and 85.1 innings this season, but he was terrific when healthy, collecting a 2.85 ERA, 1.18 WHIP and 93:30 K:BB. Schmidt is expected to be opposed in Game 3 by Seth Lugo.

Cortes (elbow) played catch Monday for the second day in a row, Greg Joyce of the New York Post reports.

Cortes' session of catch Sunday was his first since being diagnosed with a left elbow flexor strain in late September, and the fact that he was back out there to throw again a day later is a good sign. The southpaw is hopeful to pitch in the ALCS if the Yankees are able to advance, but he still has numerous hurdles to clear before making that a reality.

Isbel is not in the lineup Monday for Game 2 of the ALDS against the Yankees.

The left-handed-hitting Isbel will grab as seat as the Yankees send southpaw Carlos Rodon to the bump. Garrett Hampson is covering center field and batting ninth for the Royals.

Melendez is absent from the lineup Monday in Game 2 of the ALDS against the Yankees.

It's southpaw Carlos Rodon on the hill for the Yankees, so the left-handed-hitting Melendez will begin the festivities on the bench. Tommy Pham will be in left field and batting seventh for the Royals, while Hunter Renfroe will handle right and hit eighth.

Berti is starting at first base and batting ninth Monday in Game 2 of the ALDS against the Royals.

The 34-year-old Berti has never played first base before in the majors or minors, but he's been working out at the position in recent days and the Yankees feel comfortable enough with how he's looked there to throw him into the fire. Oswaldo Cabrera -- who started at first base in Game 1 and went 1-for-4 with a double and three strikeouts -- will begin the contest on the bench.