MLB Player News

Verlander earned the win during Game 1 of the ALCS on Wednesday, allowing one run on three hits and one walk while striking out 11 over six innings in the 4-2 victory over the Yankees.

Verlander delivered a vintage performance Wednesday night, keeping the dangerous New York lineup in check for six strong innings. The Yankees had runners on second and third with one out in the third inning, but Verlander was able to strike out Josh Donaldson and Matt Carpenter to keep the game tied. The 39-year-old then retired the next nine batters, delivering a crucial bounce-back performance after allowing six runs to the Mariners in his previous outing. The 11 strikeouts were the most in a postseason game for Verlander since he recorded 13 against the Yankees in the 2017 ALCS.

Taillon did not factor in the decision during Game 1 of the ALCS after 4.1 innings of work, allowing one run on four hits and three walks in the 4-2 loss to the Astros.

Taillon delivered a solid performance against the tough Astros lineup, but he was tagged for a two-out RBI double by Martin Maldonado in the bottom of the second to tie the game, 1-1. The 30-year-old righty fared much better than his relief performance in Game 2 of the ALDS, when he allowed two runs on three hits against the Guardians without recording an out; however, the lack of strikeouts is alarming for Taillon. He tallied 151 K's over 177.1 innings in the regular season but has yet to record a strikeout spanning 23 batters in the postseason.

The Yankees have reinstated Montas (shoulder) from the 15-day injured list Wednesday in advance of Game 1 of their American League Championship Series with the Astros.

Montas was placed on the IL on Sept. 20 with right shoulder inflammation and wasn't able to get ramped up in time to contribute for the Yankees during their five-game American League Division Series with the Guardians. He looks like he'll be healthy enough to pitch during the ALCS, though Montas will presumably be working out of the bullpen to begin the series with Jameson Taillon, Luis Severino, Gerrit Cole and Nestor Cortes likely to form the Yankees' four-man rotation. After being acquired from Oakland on Aug. 1, Montas went 1-3 with a 6.35 ERA, 1.54 WHIP and 33:15 K:BB in 39.2 innings over eight outings.

Taillon will start Game 1 of the ALCS against the Astros on Wednesday, Bryan Hoch of MLB.com reports.

Taillon was originally scheduled to start Game 5 of the ALDS, though after it was postponed by one day due to rain the Yankees instead opted to start Nestor Cortes. Taillon appeared out of the bullpen in Game 2 against the Guardians on Oct. 14, so he'll be on regular rest despite throwing only 18 pitches in his lone postseason appearance.

Bieber will be available in Cleveland's bullpen for Game 5 of the ALDS against the Yankees on Tuesday, though he's unlikely to be used, Mandy Bell of MLB.com reports.

The Guardians could have turned to Bieber on three days' rest to start Game 5, something the Yankees elected to do with Nestor Cortes, but they'll instead go with Aaron Civale. Cleveland seems to be trying to keep Bieber available to start Game 1 of the ALCS if at all possible, though the team will have to get there first.

Cole is an option to pitch in relief in Game 5 of the ALDS against the Guardians on Tuesday, potentially as the closer, Pete Caldera of The Bergen Record reports.

Cole threw 110 pitches in his Game 4 start on Sunday, but it's not uncommon in the playoffs for starters to skip the bullpen session they typically throw between starts and toss an inning in game action instead. Whether a presumably somewhat tired Cole is a stronger option than the Yankees' other relief weapons will be a tough call for manager Aaron Boone.

Taillon is no longer scheduled to start Game 5 of the NLDS against the Guardians after it was moved to Tuesday due to rain, but he'll start Game 1 of the NLCS should the Yankees advance, Bryan Hoch of MLB.com reports.

Taillon had been expected to start Game 5 on Monday, but the delay allows the Yankees to turn to Nestor Cortes instead. Taillon will face a much tougher test in the loaded Astros lineup should the Yankees manage to beat the Guardians on Tuesday.

Civale is scheduled to start Tuesday in Game 5 of the Guardians' American League Division Series matchup with the Yankees, Tom Withers of the Associated Press reports.

Before Game 5 was postponed Monday, Civale had been in line to start, but the Guardians didn't immediately lock him into taking the hill after inclement weather pushed the elimination game back a day. Even though ace Shane Bieber is available Tuesday on three days' rest, the Guardians will choose to keep him in the bullpen and instead stick with the plan to have Civale start. Civale hasn't pitched in any of the Guardians' six postseason games to date, but he tossed a gem in the regular-season finale Oct. 5, striking out a season-high nine batters while allowing two earned runs on five hits and one walk over six frames.

Cortes will start Tuesday's Game 5 of the ALDS against Cleveland, Tom Withers of the Associated Press reports.

The Yankees will be able to deploy Cortes on three days rest after Game 5 was moved to Tuesday due to inclement weather. Jameson Taillon, who was slated to start Monday, figures to be available out of the bullpen if needed.

Taillon won't start Monday's Game 5 against Cleveland, as the game has been postponed due to rain.

Taillon was slated to make his first start of the 2022 postseason, but with Game 5 now pushed to Tuesday, the Yankees may elect to roll with Nestor Cortes on three days of rest. Taillon would still be available to pitch out of the bullpen if called upon.