MLB Player News

Cueto (illness) is not starting Sunday against the Tigers.

He won't end up making a start this weekend after getting scratched from his scheduled start Saturday. Cueto is still dealing with dizziness, but he was in the clubhouse Sunday and is feeling better than he was Saturday, James Fegan of The Athletic reports. Vince Velasquez is starting a bullpen game Sunday.

Velasquez is starting Sunday's game against the Tigers, James Fegan of The Athletic reports.

Tanner Banks, who was recalled from Triple-A, should provide length out of the bullpen in what amounts to a bullpen game. Velasquez has thrown four innings once in the last few months and has generally thrown fewer than three innings recently, so he probably won't go deep enough to qualify for the win.

Kirby (7-4) took the loss during Saturday's 2-1 defeat at the hands of the Angels, allowing two runs on four hits and one walk with eight strikeouts in six innings.

Kirby permitted single runs in the first and fourth innings, which turned out to be enough for the loss as Seattle managed only one run on a Taylor Trammell solo home run in the eighth. The 24-year-old faced the minimum in his other four frames, and the eight strikeouts match his second-highest total over his last 11 turns. Prior to Saturday's loss, Kirby had won five of his last seven starts, and he possesses an impressive 2.03 ERA with 50 strikeouts across 44.1 innings in his last eight turns. He carries a 2.98 ERA and 1.12 WHIP into his next start, currently scheduled to come midweek.

Rodriguez did not factor into the decision against the White Sox on Saturday, allowing two runs on two hits while striking out seven batters and walking two over 6.1 innings.

Rodriguez pitched well enough to win the game Saturday but did not factor into the decision, as the game went into extra innings. The lefty picked up a quality start in the outing, his second this month and his seventh of the season. This has been a rough month for Rodriguez, as he has given up 15 earned runs across 22.1 frames for a 6.04 ERA. Perhaps his outing Saturday will help get him on the right track. He will take a 4.35 ERA into his next appearance.

Martin did not factor into the decision against Detroit on Saturday, allowing one run on three hits while striking out five batters and walking one over six innings.

Martin pitched well enough to earn the win Saturday, but the game went into extra innings. The young righty did earn a quality start in the outing, his first in limited time this season. Martin may have earned another turn in the rotation, as he has had back-to-back impressive outings. In his last two starts, he has given up just one earned run along with six hits and two walks while notching seven strikeouts over 11 innings. His season ERA now sits at 3.78.

Hill (7-7) took the loss against the Royals on Saturday, allowing four runs on eight hits while striking out four batters and walking none over 4.2 innings.

Hill had a rough day on the mound, tossing 58 of 81 pitches for strikes across 4.2 frames and allowing four runs to score, all of which came via RBI singles or doubles. This has been a tough month for the veteran, who has allowed 13 earned runs across 17.2 innings for a 6.62 ERA. Saturday's outing raised his season ERA to 4.70.

Singer (9-4) earned the win Saturday, allowing no runs on five hits while striking out five batters and walking one over six innings.

Singer continued his career year by tossing 59 of 89 pitches for strikes across six frames and not allowing a run to score despite allowing five hits and a walk. The righty has three quality starts and two wins in a row. Since Aug. 3, Singer has gone 5-1 and given up 15 earned runs in 56 innings for a 2.41 ERA, picking up seven quality starts along the way. His season ERA now sits at 3.07.

Varland (0-1) gave up four earned runs on nine hits and two walks while striking out three in five innings in Game 1 of Saturday's doubleheader against the Guardians.

The rookie was less effective than in his previous big-league start earlier this month against the Yankees. He now has a 5.23 ERA, 1.45 WHIP and 10 strikeouts in 10.1 innings. Varland was up as the 29th man, so he will either be optioned off the active roster or work as a long reliever.

Taillon (13-5) gave up four earned runs on four hits and two walks while striking out four batters over five innings to take the loss in a 4-1 defeat against the Brewers on Saturday.

Taillon gave up a three-run home run to Willy Adames en route to his fifth loss of the campaign. He threw 61 of his 94 pitches for strikes in the contest and otherwise did a decent job limiting the Brewers lineup. Taillon has an ERA of 4.67 in three September starts. He is tentatively expected to take the bump next against the Red Sox.

Gray (7-7) allowed two earned runs on two hits and one walk while striking out four over 4.1 innings to take the loss in a 5-1 defeat against the Rays on Saturday.

Gray was making his second start since coming off the IL with an oblique strain and threw only 67 pitches. The start could be taken as a step in the right direction for Gray, who threw 45 pitches his last time out Sept 13. He has an excellent 125 strikeouts in 111.1 innings pitched this season, so he could help fantasy managers in that category as he goes deeper into games down the stretch. Gray is tentatively expected to make his next start against the Guardians.