MLB Player News

Cole (hamstring) played catch in the outfield prior to Thursday's game against Toronto, Max Goodman of SI.com reports.

Cole is optimistic that he isn't dealing with a serious issue after he exited Tuesday's start due to left hamstring tightness, and he's still considered day-to-day. The Yankees haven't indicated whether the right-hander will be able to make his next turn through the rotation, but it's certainly encouraging that the he was able to throw off flat ground Thursday.

Lynn (knee) is expected to return from the injured list to start Sunday's game against the Red Sox, Justice delos Santos of MLB.com reports.

Lynn hit the injured list at the end of August with right knee inflammation, but reports at the time indicated he'd only miss one start. He'll wind up missing two turns in the rotation, as he last pitched Aug. 28, but he should be back in time to make a handful of appearances down the stretch.

Manager Tony La Russa is hopeful that Giolito (hamstring) will be able to start Tuesday's series opener against the Angels, Justice delos Santos of MLB.com reports.

The White Sox have several starting pitchers on the brink of rejoining the starting rotation, and Giolito is in contention to return after a fairly minimal stay on the 10-day IL. The right-hander threw at max effort Tuesday and is expected to throw a bullpen session in the coming days, and he should return to game action next week if his upcoming throwing sessions go well.

Rodon (shoulder) is expected to rejoin the rotation and start Friday against Boston, Justice delos Santos of MLB.com reports.

Rodon hasn't been placed on the injured list, but he's been sidelined since Sept. 1 while dealing with a sore shoulder. The White Sox will want to be careful with him given his injury history, and they can afford to exercise caution given that they lead their division by 11 games However, it looks as though he'll be ready to go after missing just one turn in the rotation.

Bassitt (face) will throw a bullpen session Saturday, Martin Gallegos of MLB.com reports.

Bassitt threw off flat ground Wednesday and said he felt "fantastic" afterward, so he'll progress to mound work this weekend. The right-hander isn't yet sure how many bullpen sessions he'll require before he's able to face hitters, but he's recently made encouraging progress in his recovery from facial surgery.

Albers will start Thursday's game against Cleveland, Do-Hyoung Park of MLB.com reports.

Albers' status as Thursday's starter doesn't come as a significant surprise since the southpaw was recalled from Triple-A St. Paul after Randy Dobnak (finger) was scratched from his scheduled start. Whether Albers remains in the rotation likely depends on whether he can turn things around after he gave up nine runs in three innings during his last appearance, but he'll be pitching on normal rest in Thursday's series finale.

Albers was recalled from Triple-A St. Paul on Thursday, Brandon Warne of Access Twins reports.

Albers was sent down Sunday after he gave up nine runs on 10 hits and a walk while striking out two in three innings against the Rays on Saturday. The Twins haven't officially announced who will start Thursday's game against Cleveland after Randy Dobnak (finger) was placed on the 10-day injured list, but Albers would seem to be a candidate to rejoin the rotation.

Montas improved to 12-9 on Wednesday after limiting the White Sox to one run on six hits and two walks while striking out seven in Oakland's 5-1 victory.

Montas' placement on the restricted list last week due to visa concerns resulted in him being bumped back a day in the rotation, but it didn't disrupt his stellar form since the All-Star break. He tamed a potent White Sox lineup en route to collecting his third win in as many starts, and the seven innings tied his longest outing of the season. The right-hander has submitted a 2.26 ERA, 1.02 WHIP and 76:19 K:BB in 63.2 innings through 10 second-half starts.

Wells recorded the final out of Wednesday's 9-8 win over the Royals to record his second save of the season.

It didn't look like the O's would have a closing situation at all for most of the game, as they were down 5-0 heading into the eighth inning before erupting for an incredible nine runs in the bottom of the frame, but Dillon Tate let the Royals back into it in the top of the ninth, forcing Wells into action. The 27-year-old appears to be the closer du jour for manager Brandon Hyde, but unlike some prior applicants for the role, Wells actually has the stuff and numbers to credibly fit the assignment. He's averaging 95.1 mph with his fastball and allowing a .199 xwOBA on his slider this year while posting a 3.27 ERA, 0.82 WHIP and 63:10 K:BB through his first 52.1 big-league innings.

Gil didn't factor into the decision in Wednesday's 6-3 loss to the Blue Jays, giving up three runs on one hit and seven walks over 3.1 innings. He struck out six.

Recalled from Triple-A earlier in the day, Gil looked nothing like the pitcher who didn't allow a run in any of his first three big-league starts. He issued as many free passes Wednesday as he had in those three outings combined, tossing only 47 of 91 pitches for strikes before getting the hook, but the Yankees tied the game in the bottom of the fifth to help him escape his first loss. With Gerrit Cole (hamstring) not 100 percent, Gil's chances of sticking around in the rotation are a little better, but if he can't rein in the walks the Yankees will have to look to other options.