MLB Player News

Civale won't make his scheduled start Monday in Game 5 of the ALDS against the Yankees, as the game has been postponed due to inclement weather.

Civale was set to start the decisive Game 5, but with the contest now pushed to Tuesday, it's unclear if Cleveland will change pitching plans. The team may consider starting Shane Bieber on three days rest and using Civale in a relief role if necessary, but they won't announce a decision until Tuesday, per Laura Albanese of Newsday.

Means (elbow) announced Monday via his personal Twitter account that he has begun a throwing program.

Means played light catch Monday, marking the first noteworthy step forward in his recovery from Tommy John surgery, which he underwent in late April. The southpaw isn't far along enough in the rehab process for the Orioles to pinpoint a precise timeline for his return for pitching in games, but he'll most likely open the 2023 campaign on the 60-day injured list, which would sideline him for at least the first two months of the season.

Cortes will be available out of the bullpen for Game 5 of the ALDS against the Guardians on Monday, Chris Kirschner of The Athletic reports.

Cortes started Game 2 of the ALDS on Friday and allowed two runs on six hits and three walks while striking out three in five innings. He didn't factor into the decision and will be available in a relief role on short rest if needed Monday as the Yankees attempt to advance to the ALCS.

Montas (shoulder) has thrown multiple bullpen sessions and will travel to Tampa Bay to face live batting practice, Bryan Hoch of MLB.com reports.

Montas has been out since late September while dealing with right shoulder inflammation, but the 29-year-old could be an option for the Yankees if they advance to the ALCS. The right-hander is expected to serve as an opener or relief option if he can return.

McKenzie is scheduled to start Game 3 of the Guardians' ALDS matchup with the Yankees on Saturday, Zack Meisel of The Athletic reports.

McKenzie was on track to take the ball Friday, but Game 2 of the series was delayed a day by rain, and Cleveland will simply push both Shane Bieber and McKenzie back a day.

Bieber is scheduled to start Game 2 of the Guardians' ALDS matchup with the Yankees on Friday, Zack Meisel of The Athletic reports.

Bieber was set to start Thursday, but a rainout pushed that game back a day, and he will take the ball Friday instead. Bieber was brilliant in his first appearance of the postseason, giving up just one earned run over 7.2 innings and picking up the win last Friday against the Rays.

Manager Aaron Boone said Taillon will be a relief option in the ALDS against Cleveland, Bryan Hoch of MLB.com reports.

Scheduled off-days will allow the Yankees to use a three-man rotation on normal rest through Game 4 of the divisional series. Given the team's lack of bullpen depth, Taillon could be a prime candidate for middle-innings work, especially if any of the three starters fails to pitch deep into his game. The righty, who posted a 3.91 ERA and 151:32 K:BB in 177.1 innings this season, has never appeared out of the bullpen in six years of MLB action.

Civale is on the Guardians' ALDS roster versus the Yankees and will be in the bullpen for Game 1, Zack Meisel of The Athletic reports.

Civale's length wasn't needed in the wild card round, but he figures to see action in this series against New York. The 27-year-old has no big-league relief appearances but could be called upon If Cal Quantrill struggles early in Game 1. With low-velocity and a 4.92 regular-season ERA, however, pitching Civale at Yankee Stadium would be a risky move. It's also possible the righty starts a game later in the series.

Stripling appears to be set to start Game 3 of the AL Wild Card Series against the Mariners on Sunday, if the Blue Jays win Saturday to extend the series, Kaitlyn McGrath of The Athletic reports.

Stripling's teammate Alek Manoah indicated that Stripling was the scheduled starter in his post-game comments after Toronto's Game 1 loss Friday, though interim manager John Schneider said the team was still deciding between Stripling and Jose Berrios. Stripling can't match Berrios' reputation or salary, but the former far outplayed the latter by ERA this season, beating him 3.01 to 5.23.

Verlander will start Game 1 of the ALDS against the Mariners or Blue Jays on Tuesday, Chandler Rome of the Houston Chronicle reports.

There was little doubt Verlander would earn the honor, as he rebounded from Tommy John surgery to record a 1.75 ERA in 28 starts this season, likely earning him a Cy Young. His 3.40 lifetime ERA in the postseason doesn't trail his career 3.24 regular-season ERA by much, though he owns a mediocre 4.27 ERA over his last nine playoff starts dating back to 2018.