MLB Player News

Walker didn't factor into the decision in Friday's 10-5 win over the Orioles, retiring all nine batters he faced before giving way to the bullpen. He struck out four.

With an eye on setting up his postseason rotation, Toronto manager Charlie Montoyo pulled Walker after only 42 pitches (28 strikes), denying the right-hander a chance at his fifth win of the year, or perhaps something more historic. Since joining the Jays, Walker has posted a stellar 1.37 ERA, 1.25 WHIP and 25:11 K:BB over 26.1 innings.

Blackburn will start Game 2 of Saturday's doubleheader against the Mariners, Matt Kawahara of the San Francisco Chronicle reports.

Blackburn will return to the active roster Saturday after spending nearly a month at the Athletics' alternate training site. The right-hander failed to make an appearance during his first stint in the majors this year, but he'll make his season debut during Saturday's twin bill as Oakland prepares for the postseason.

Rodriguez (illness) has been cleared to resume light physical activity Friday and is hoping for a normal offseason, Ian Browne of MLB.com reports.

Rodriguez developed myocarditis, a heart condition, as a result of his battle with COVID-19. He's been shut down from all physical activity all season in order to ease the strain on his heart. He'll begin by going on walks before advancing to a treadmill. Assuming his heart responds well, he'll have a chance to be ready to pitch by the start of next season.

Civale will be on a pitch count for his final start of the season Saturday against Pittsburgh, Joe Noga of The Cleveland Plain Dealer reports.

Exactly how long Cleveland will allow Civale to pitch is not yet clear. He owns a solid 3.99 ERA and a 1.26 WHIP in 11 starts this season but isn't expected to start any games in the Wild Card round, so the team will cut his outing short to prepare him to pitch in relief as soon as Tuesday.

Rodon (0-2) allowed a run on two hits in a third of an inning and was credited with Thursday's loss to Cleveland.

Rodon, who was activated from the injured list earlier in the day, was used at a crucial spot in the game. Jimmy Cordero left with the bases loaded and two out in the seventh inning, and Rodon was tasked with getting the final out. Making his first appearance since Aug. 3, Rodon gave up a two-run single and two-run double. He's expected to pitch out of the bullpen for the White Sox in the postseason, and this looked like an audition for a key setup role -- although if it was, Rodon didn't exactly pass it with flying colors.

Perez (3-5) took the loss Thursday, coughing up six runs on nine hits and a walk over four innings in a 13-1 loss to the Orioles. He struck out two.

Five of the nine hits off Perez went for extra bases, including a Jose Iglesias solo shot in the fourth inning. The southpaw heads into free agency this winter with a 4.50 ERA and 46:28 K:BB through 62 innings on the year.

Cobb (2-5) picked up the win in Thursday's 13-1 rout of the Red Sox, allowing one run on six hits and two walks over seven innings, He struck out four.

The right-hander gave up his only run in the fifth inning, at which point the O's already held an 8-0 lead. Cobb finished the season on a high note, delivering quality starts in each of his final two outings, and with one year remaining on his current contract his 4.30 ERA and 38:18 K:BB through 52.1 innings should keep him in Baltimore's rotation plans to begin 2021.

Ryu (5-2) picked up the win Thursday, allowing five hits and two walks over seven scoreless innings in a 4-1 victory over the Yankees. He struck out four.

The veteran lefty more than earned his big offseason payday as he came through with another dazzling effort to clinch a playoff berth for the Blue Jays. Ryu heads into the postseason with a 2.69 ERA and 72:17 K:BB through 67 innings.

Montgomery (2-3) took the loss Thursday as the Yankees were downed 4-1 by the Blue Jays, allowing three runs on six hits over 5.1 innings. He struck out eight without walking a batter.

The southpaw threw 88 pitches (60 strikes) in a solid outing, but he simply got outpitched by Hyun-Jin Ryu. Montgomery finished the regular season on something of a roll, posting a 4.02 ERA and impressive 24:3 K:BB over his final three starts and 15.2 innings, but it remains to be seen how he'll be deployed in the postseason.

Luzardo tossed three innings in relief during Thursday's loss to the Dodgers, allowing three runs on three hits and three walks. He did not record a strikeout.

Rather than making one more start this weekend against the Mariners, the A's opted to use Luzardo in relief Thursday. Manager Bob Melvin said after the game that the decision to use him out of the bullpen was made in order to keep the southpaw as an option for the first round of the playoffs, according to John Hickey of SI.com. Luzardo would now line up to pitch Game 1 of the Wild Card Series on Tuesday on four days' rest, though fellow lefty Sean Manaea may be the more likely option to open Oakland's playoff slate.