MLB Player News

Snell will start Friday in Game 6 of the ALCS against the Astros, Marc Topkin of the Tampa Bay Times reports.

Snell will be on normal four day's rest after allowing one run across five innings while earning the win in Game 1 on Sunday. The southpaw has fanned 15 and posted a 2.87 ERA across 15.2 innings during three starts this postseason.

Garcia will be the opener for Game 5 of the ALCS against the Rays on Thursday, Chandler Rome of the Houston Chronicle reports.

The Astros don't anticipate Garcia making it through the lineup more than once. The 23-year-old jumped all the way from High-A to the majors this season and held his own in 12.1 innings, allowing four runs on seven hits, though his 9:5 K:BB was unimpressive.

Greinke earned the win in Game 4 of the ALCS on Wednesday, allowing two runs on five hits in six innings while striking out seven and walking just one.

Despite worries about arm issues throughout the postseason, Greinke did his job to help the Astros avoid a sweep Wednesday. He faced the minimum through three innings before allowing a two-run homer to Randy Arozarena in the fourth. The veteran now owns a 4.22 ERA in 19 career postseason starts.

Glasnow took the loss in Game 4 of the ALCS against the Astros on Wednesday, allowing four runs on eight hits while striking out five and walking two over six innings.

Glasnow wasn't terrible, though he was clearly below his usual standard. Half of the damage was done by Jose Altuve, who hit a solo homer in the first inning and an RBI double in the third. George Springer followed with a two-run shot in the fourth. Glasnow was called upon to throw 2.1 innings on just two days' rest in Game 5 of the ALDS and could theoretically be asked to do something similar in Game 7 of this series should the Rays fail to win either of the next two games.

Severino's (elbow) rehab is going well, and he could return to the majors in June or July, Bryan Hoch of MLB.com reports.

Severino underwent Tommy John surgery in February, and he's received positive reports regarding his rehab so far. He's currently throwing off flat ground from 90 feet. There's been optimism that he could pitch at some point in 2021, and general manager Brian Cashman provided a clearer timetable for his return as the Yankees head into the offseason.

Urquidy allowed two runs (one earned) on four hits and one walk while striking out four over five innings Tuesday as he was charged with the loss in Game 3 of the ALCS against the Rays.

Urquidy was dominant to begin the game, as he held the Rays scoreless over the first five innings Tuesday. However, a throwing error in the sixth inning helped spark a five-run rally by Tampa Bay, putting Urquidy in line for the loss. With the Astros facing a 3-0 deficit in the series, Tuesday's start could have been Urquidy's final appearance of the postseason.

Morton picked up the win in Game 2 of the ALCS against the Astros on Monday, striking out five while walking one and allowing five hits in five shutout innings.

It took Morton 96 pitches to get through five innings against his former team, though the Rays don't seem to mind trusting their deep bullpen with quite a few innings most nights. The veteran righty didn't retire the side in order until his fifth and final frame, though he only once allowed a runner to reach scoring position with less than two outs. Morton likely lines up to start Game 7, should the series go that far.

McCullers struck out 11 batters while walking none and allowing just four hits in seven innings in Game 2 of the ALCS against the Rays on Monday, but he also gave up four runs (one earned) and picked up the loss.

McCullers allowed a three-run homer to Manuel Margot in the bottom of the first inning after a two-out error from Jose Altuve extended the frame, which would wind up being all the runs the Rays would need in their 4-2 win. He was quite good the rest of the way, allowing just two baserunners, though one of them was a solo homer by Mike Zunino. While it didn't wind up being enough, it was still a strong outing for the righty, who now owns a career 2.93 ERA in 43 playoff innings.

General manager Rick Hahn said Monday that Kopech, who opted out of the 2020 season, has remained in touch with his minor-league pitching coaches and is "fully invested and committed" to rejoining the team in spring training, Daryl Van Schouwen of the Chicago Sun-Times reports.

Aside from some Cactus League outings this past spring, Kopech hasn't made a regular-season appearance in affiliated ball since September 2018. He was sidelined for all of 2019 while on the mend from Tommy John surgery before informing the White Sox in July that he would sit out the 2020 campaign amid the COVID-19 pandemic. The lack of action over the past two years means the 24-year-old won't be a lock to crack the White Sox's Opening Day rotation in 2021, but if he's able to regain his pre-surgery velocity and command, Kopech likely won't have to wait long to get another look with the big club. Chicago is expected to formally reinstate Kopech from the restricted list and add him back to the 40-man roster at some point later in the offseason.

Valdez took the loss to the Rays on Sunday in Game 1 of the ALCS. He allowed two runs on four hits and four walks while striking out eight over six innings.

An improved walk rate was a big part of Valdez's success during the regular season, but he did not have his usual control Sunday. He issued a season-high four walks and paid the price as the winning run got on base via a free pass. The lefty still has a 2.00 ERA and 17 strikeouts in 18 innings this postseason. Valdez should start Friday if a Game 6 is necessary.