MLB Player News

Snell allowed one run on six hits and two walks while striking out two over five innings in a win over the Astros on Sunday in Game 1 of the ALCS.

After giving up three homers to the Yankees in a loss in Game 1 of the AL Division Series, Snell rebounded in a major way, with the lone blemish being a long ball off the bat of Jose Altuve in the first inning. The 2018 AL Cy Young winner was not fully stretched out when the 2020 season began and he still has not completed six full innings in a start this season. That said, Snell ranked 15th during the regular season in strikeout rate (min. 50 IP) and the team clearly still has a lot of faith in him, even if the lefty has yet to recapture that same magic from a few years ago. He could start Thursday or Friday, depending on whether or not the Rays feel the need to bring him back on short rest.

Montgomery didn't factor in the decision during Thursday's Game 4 win over the Rays after allowing one run on three hits with four strikeouts and three walks over four innings.

The left-hander didn't have his best control as he delivered only 34 of his 62 pitches for strikes, but he was nonetheless able to limit the Rays to one run. It was a good showing in the first postseason outing of Montgomery's career, and the Yankees will need to win Friday's series finale for him to receive a chance on the mound in the ALCS.

Montas allowed five runs on seven hits and one walk while striking out three over 3.2 innings in a loss to the Astros on Thursday in Game 4 of the ALDS.

Montas showed signs of life with his 13-K gem on the final day of the regular season, but he was unable to carry that success over into the playoffs. Houston hung a five spot on Montas in the fourth inning on Michael Brantley and Carlos Correa home runs. Montas struggled to the tune of a 7.23 ERA in the month of August and it did not get a whole lot better; he heads into the offseason having allowed multiple home runs in three of his final four starts (postseason included).

Greinke allowed four runs on five hits and one walk over 4.2 innings in a no-decision against the A's on Thursday in Game 4 of the ALDS. He struck out two.

Greinke strangely flashed a sign before giving up a three-run homer to Ramon Laureano in the second inning, and he would go on to allow another homer to Laureano in the fifth. In the end, however, the Astros would win to earn another trip to the American League Championship Series. Greinke dealt with some arm soreness recently, but he told Alden Gonzalez of ESPN that it was not a problem Thursday. "If it feels how it felt today (in the ALCS), then it'll be no issue. Everything was fine when it comes to the arm," Greinke said.

Glasnow will start Game 5 of the ALDS against the Yankees on Friday, Juan Toribio of MLB.com reports.

Glasnow recorded 10 strikeouts in his start during the second game of the series against New York on Tuesday. Blake Snell was in line to start Game 5, but manager Kevin Cash instead elected to go with Glasnow on just two days' rest. However, Snell should be available along with the rest of the bullpen in this win-or-go-home game.

Cole won't be available for Game 4 of the ALDS against the Rays on Thursday but would start the decisive Game 5 on short rest Friday should the Yankees manage to extend the series, Lindsey Adler of The Athletic reports.

Cole has allowed five runs in 13 innings while striking out 21 and walking just two so far in the playoffs. He helped the Yankees to their only win of the series thus far in Game 1 and is seemingly still the team's top option for Game 5 even if not fully rested.

Greinke (arm) will start Game 4 of the ALDS against the Athletics, Chandler Rome of the Houston Chronicle reports.

Greinke closed the season poorly, posting a 6.07 ERA across his last five starts. He then was pulled after just four innings in Game 1 of the Wild Card Round against the Twins and was later revealed to be battling arm soreness. He's evidently healthy enough to pitch, though whether or not he'll be able to pitch at his usual level or go deep into the game remain to be seen.

Morton picked up the win during Game 3 of the ALDS against the Yankees on Wednesday after allowing two runs (one earned) on four hits with six strikeouts and two walks over five innings.

The 26-year-old ran into trouble during the third inning but stranded the bases loaded after giving up a run, and he stranded a runner on second base after giving up a run-scoring double during the fifth inning. Morton had a strong outing in his first playoff start of the year and will look to carry that into the ALCS if the Rays can close out the series.

Luzardo struggled in 4.1 innings of work Wednesday, allowing four earned runs. He gave up five hits and walked two while striking out two in a victory over the Astros in Game 3 of the ALDS.

Luzardo battled through 4.1 innings as he threw 44 of his 73 pitches for strikes. The 23-year-old rookie has struggled in both of his postseason starts, allowing a combined seven runs in 7.2 innings of work. The left-hander had a 4.12 ERA and 1.27 WHIP during the regular season and his next chance at taking the mound will be if the Athletics can advance to the ALCS.

Urquidy did not factor into the decision in Wednesday's loss to the Athletics during Game 3 of the ALDS, allowing four earned runs on four solo home runs, an additional hit and one walk while recording three strikeouts over 4.1 innings.

Urquidy was tested Wednesday, failing to make it out of the fifth inning. The 25-year-old threw 62 of his 79 pitches for strikes and recorded a first-pitch strike on 13 of the 21 batters that he faced. The right-hander had the first postseason setback of his young career, as he had never allowed more than one run in any other playoff appearance.