MLB Player News

Cease was diagnosed with a Grade 1 (mild) hamstring strain.

He did not make his scheduled start Thursday due to the injury, and clearly won't be able to pitch again this season. His recovery timeline is 2-to-4 weeks, so he should have a normal offseason.

Morton, who last pitched Wednesday, is the likeliest candidate to draw a start for Wednesday's American League Wild Card Game, Juan Toribio of MLB.com reports.

Morton has been a stalwart of the Rays' traditional starting pitchers this season, as evidenced by a 16-6 record, 3.05 ERA, 1.08 WHIP and eye-popping 240 strikeouts across 194.2 innings. The right-hander thus shapes up as a natural candidate for a high-leverage scenario such as a one-game playoff, and both his 13.1 innings of one-run ball over two starts against the opposing Athletics this season and Morton's past postseason experience only serve to further his formidable case. Manager Kevin Cash is expected to make a final decision regarding the all-important matter by weekend's end, and if Morton does get the call, he'll do so on six days' rest.

Odorizzi is no longer scheduled to start Sunday's game against the Royals.

He had been listed as the starter for the season finale earlier in the week, but the Twins will opt to rest their No. 2 starter in favor of giving Martin Perez the ball Sunday. Odorizzi dealt with a tight left hamstring in his last start, but it was a minor issue. He is expected to start Game 2 of the ALDS on Oct. 5.

Urquidy (2-1) struck out two over six scoreless innings, allowing only three hits and a walk in a 4-0 win over the Angels.

Urquidy has only allowed three runs over his last 18 innings. The 24-year-old will likely end the regular season with a 3.95 ERA, 1.10 WHIP and 40:7 K:BB in 41 innings across nine appearances (seven starts).

Sandoval (0-4) allowed one run on two hits and three walks over 3.1 innings in Friday's 4-0 loss to the Astros. He struck out three batters.

Sandoval's only mistake was a second-inning solo shot from Alex Bregman. Sandoval has found it hard to end up on the right side of decisions given his limited innings, as he's only pitched long enough to qualify for a win twice. The 22-year-old will end the season with a 5.03 ERA, 1.37 WHIP and 42 strikeouts over 39.1 innings.

Farrell will open Saturday's game against the Yankees.

Farrell is expected to work the first inning or so before making way for a bulk reliever. He owns a 2.38 ERA and 0.71 WHIP with 12 strikeouts over 11.1 innings this season.

Perez will start Sunday's game against the Royals, Phil Miller of the Minneapolis Star Tribune reports.

Perez will take the ball for his team's final regular-season contest. He allowed five runs over 2.1 innings in a no-decision against Kansas City in his last outing on Sept. 22.

Berrios (14-8) allowed two runs on six hits and two walks while striking out nine over six innings in Friday's win over the Royals.

Berrios was the only pitcher the Twins needed in the rain-shortened game. He likely would have come out had the game resumed, as he had already tossed 99 pitches (61 strikes), and manager Rocco Baldelli would not want to risk an injury to his ace. Berrios ends the regular season with a 3.68 ERA, 1.22 WHIP and 195 strikeouts in 200.1 innings. He's expected to take the mound next Friday for Game 1 of the ALDS against the Yankees.

Eovaldi (2-1) took the loss after yielding three runs on three hits and four walks while striking out three over five innings Friday night against the Orioles.

Eovaldi gave up all three runs in the third inning on a three-run blast to left field, and the Orioles would go on to win 4-1. The 29-year-old's season is likely over with just two games remaining in the regular season, and he'll finish with a 5.99 ERA and 1.58 WHIP with 70 strikeouts across 67.2 frames.

Glasnow surrendered two walks and struck out four over 4.1 scoreless innings Friday night against the Blue Jays. He didn't factor into the decision.

Glasnow would depart with a three-run lead, and the Rays would go on to clinch a postseason berth with a 6-2 victory. The 26-year-old right-hander has been stellar on the hill of late, as he's now tossed 10.1 scoreless frames over his last three outings. Glasnow owns a 1.78 ERA and 0.89 WHIP with a 76:14 K:BB over 60.2 innings this season.