MLB Player News

Means (11-11) allowed one run on seven hits with four strikeouts and a walk over seven innings Sunday as he got the win over the Mariners.

Means came off a rocky start from last Monday in which he was drilled for five runs on just six hits. Prior to that, he was in a bit of a groove with five starts in a row allowing two runs or less. He was back in that zone Sunday after allowing just one run. The left-hander has been significantly better at home this season with an ERA just around two points lower than his 4.81 road figure. Means is expected to make his final start of 2019 this coming Saturday on the road against the Red Sox. He has a sparkling 2.35 ERA in four outings against the 2018 world champions.

Lynn (15-11) allowed two runs on seven hits and a walk over 5.1 innings Sunday, striking out 12 and earning the win over Oakland.

Lynn was spotted a 4-0 lead before he even stepped on the mound, and he rolled through a few scoreless frames before allowing one run in the fourth and fifth innings. It was his first win since Aug. 2 and his first double-digit strikeout performance since Aug. 23. Lynn will carry a 3.76 ERA into Saturday's home tilt against the Yankees.

Verlander (20-6) allowed two runs on six hits and two walks over five innings Sunday, striking out five batters and earning a win over the Angels.

It certainly wasn't as stellar as a usual Verlander start, but he got the job done behind Houston's 13-run offensive explosion. The victory gives the 36-year-old his second career 20-win campaign. He'll carry a 2.53 ERA into a road start against these Angels on Saturday.

Luzardo worked a scoreless seventh inning in a win over the Rangers on Saturday, issuing a walk while recording two strikeouts.

The rookie was originally slated to work multiple innings Friday behind Mike Fiers, but the Athletics' co-ace ended up spinning an eight-inning masterpiece in his start. Luzardo thus got into action Saturday for the first time since last Sunday, and due to some modest control issues, he ended up with a 19-pitch workload despite working just one inning. Through three appearances, the 21-year-old owns a solid 2.57 ERA and has recorded a hold and a save apiece.

Montgomery is healthy and available but there is no set plan for him to pitch again in 2019, Bryan Hoch of MLB.com reports.

Montgomery returned to the mound Sept. 15 in a two-inning relief appearance. He hasn't thrown since then, however, and it appears as if the team is more focused on positioning its postseason roster.

Urquidy will start Friday's game at the Angels, Chandler Rome of the Houston Chronicle reports.

Urquidy was originally projected to serve as a primary pitcher Friday but will instead draw a traditional start. Given the recent struggles of Wade Miley, the team is likely trying to sort out its playoff roster prior to the end of the regular season.

Chirinos allowed an earned run on a solo home run and also recorded two strikeouts over an inning in an extra-innings win over the Red Sox on Saturday.

Manager Kevin Cash wasted no time getting Chirinos back into the swing of things following the pitcher's activation from the injured list earlier in the day. Chirinos followed starter Tyler Glasnow after the latter's three-inning stint and gave up a solo home run to Xander Bogaerts during his sole frame. Chirinos was otherwise solid over his 16 pitches, and Juan Toribio of MLB.com reports that the right-hander's role will be fluid over the last week of the season based on the team's needs and how Chirinos continues to perform.

Javier was named the Astros' Minor League Pitcher of the Year, Chandler Rome of the Houston Chronicle reports.

Javier, an unheralded prospect to start the season, was promoted three times in 2019, going from Opening Day starter at High-A Fayetteville to eventually landing at Triple-A Round Rock. The 22-year-old right-hander from the Dominican Republic amassed a 1.74 ERA over 113.2 innings while striking out 170 (13.5 K/9) and walking 59. He's possesses a fastball that ranges between 91 and 93 mph, complemented by a slider used as his out pitch. He believes the development of a changeup was the key to his success this season. The Astros are expected to add him to the 40-man roster during the offseason in order to avoid risking exposure in the Rule 5 draft.

Berrios didn't factor into the decision in Saturday's 12-5 loss to the Royals, coughing up five runs on eight hits and a walk over six innings while striking out five.

The right-hander gave up two runs in the second inning but appeared to settle in after that, and Berrios seemed headed for his 14th win until Kansas City struck for three more runs in the sixth to tie the game. He's been fading down the stretch, posting a 6.15 ERA and 53:19 K:BB through 52.2 innings since the beginning of August, but Berrios will get one more chance to build some momentum heading into the postseason in a road rematch with the Royals on Friday.

Miley (14-6) took the loss Saturday as the Astros fell 8-4 to the Angels, giving up four runs on four hits and a walk in one-plus innings.

A David Fletcher solo shot to lead off the game set the tone, and after Miley allowed three runs in the first inning, he got yanked when he put the first two batters aboard to begin the second. The southpaw has been dreadful in September, posting a 22.09 ERA and 4:5 K:BB through only 7.1 innings over four starts, but Miley will get one more chance to regain some momentum heading into the postseason when he faces the Angels again on the road Thursday.