MLB Player News

Rodriguez struck out 12 batters over 6.2 innings Saturday against the Phillies, allowing just a single run on four hits and a walk.

Rodriguez was completely dominant through six frames, allowing just a pair of two-out singles. Manager Alex Cora made a possibly ill-advised decision to let the starter hit with two outs and the bases loaded and just a one-run lead in the seventh inning, though, as Rodriguez went on to walk in the game-tying run in the bottom half of the frame before being pulled with two outs. Despite failing to record the win, it was a dominant start for the lefty, who's now allowed no more than one run in five of his last six starts.

Luzardo could get a chance to start after Mike Fiers left Saturday's game against the Rangers with nerve irritation, Susan Slusser of the San Francisco Chronicle reports.

Luzardo was used in a multi-inning relief role in his only big-league appearance to date. The Athletics don't necessarily need to replace Fiers in the rotation any time soon, as they've been going with a six-man rotation lately and have off days coming up Thursday and the following Monday. Still, the team could be looking for an excuse to see what Luzardo can do as a starter, so there's a chance he's given an opportunity.

Greinke (16-5) struck out seven and picked up the win Saturday, allowing one run on six hits over six innings in a 6-1 victory over the Royals.

It was the right-hander's first ever win over Kansas City, the team he began his career with back in 2004. Greinke is 6-1 with a 3.10 ERA and 39:8 K:BB through 49.1 innings in eight starts since joining the Astros, and he'll look to stay in the win column in his next outing Friday, at home against the Angels.

Berrios will start Monday against the White Sox instead of Sunday against the Indians as originally expected, Do-Hyoung Park of MLB.com reports.

Berrios is simply set to receive some extra rest in order to keep him fresh down the stretch and into the playoffs. He'll lose out on a two-start week this week but looks set to pick one up next week, pitching Monday against the White Sox and Saturday against the Royals. Randy Dobnak will start Sunday.

Clevinger (11-3) allowed two runs on six hits and one walk over eight innings Saturday in the first game of a doubleheader against Minnesota. He struck out 10 but took the loss in a 2-0 defeat.

Clevinger's only misstep was a third-inning, two-run homer to Jorge Polanco. Still, it was another strong outing for the 28-year-old righty, who had won 10 straight decisions coming into the contest and gave the Indians 112 pitches before being removed. Clevinger owns a stellar 2.68 ERA, 1.02 WHIP and 149:33 K:BB, and lines up to face the Phillies at home next week.

Luzardo is most likely to continue logging multi-inning relief appearances during the balance of the regular season, Alyson Footer of MLB.com reports. "I think he's comfortable doing the piggyback thing," manager Bob Melvin said. "It's kind of like starting, it's just starting a little bit later. The way our guys are pitching right now, I don't think we try to jam anything in there, just to try to get him a start, at least at this point."

Luzardo's next trip to the mound won't come until Sunday at the earliest according to Melvin, and it appears the left-handed phenom's first chance at a conventional start may not come until 2020. Luzardo could certainly be a valuable middle-relief asset for Melvin down the stretch this season if his first appearance is any indication, as the 21-year-old was impressive while allowing just one hit, a solo home run, over three innings versus the Astros last Wednesday in his big-league debut.

Montgomery (shoulder) will start Sunday in Toronto, Pete Caldera of The Bergen Record reports.

He threw three innings in each of his last two rehab starts, so it would be unwise to bank on him going deep enough in this start for him to qualify for a win. Montgomery will look to finish the season strong and will compete for a spot in the rotation next year in spring training.

Cole (17-5) picked up the win in Friday's 4-1 victory over the Royals, allowing one unearned run on four hits and two walks over eight innings while striking out 11.

It looked like the right-hander might have to settle for a no-decision despite another dominant performance when Kansas City scratched across its run in the bottom of the eighth inning, until George Springer broke the 1-1 tie in the top of the ninth with a three-run blast. Cole has struck out double-digit batters in six straight starts and hasn't lost since May 22, and the only thing that might be standing between him and a Cy Young Award is teammate Justin Verlander -- the duo ranks first and second in strikeouts, ERA and WHIP among qualified starters. Cole will carry a 2.62 ERA and 292:45 K:BB through 192.1 innings into his next outing Wednesday, at home against the Rangers.

Bassitt didn't factor into the decision in Friday's 14-9 win over the Rangers, coughing up seven runs (six earned) on five hits and a walk over three innings. He struck out three.

The two teams combined for seven homers on the night at Globe Life Park and Bassitt served up his share, getting taken deep by Shin-Soo Choo in the second inning and Danny Santana in the third. The right-hander will take a 3.95 ERA and 132:45 K:BB through 139 innings into his next start Sept. 20 -- a rematch with the Rangers back in Oakland.

Kikuchi (6-10) took the loss Friday, allowing five runs on 10 hits and a walk while striking out only one in 2.1 innings versus the White Sox.

Kikuchi didn't have it Friday, bookending the poor start with homers from Jose Abreu and Adam Engel. The southpaw's ERA rose to 5.46, with a 1.52 WHIP and 111:49 K:BB over 151.2 innings this season. Kikuchi is expected to face the Pirates in a road start Thursday.