MLB Player News

Verlander (11-4) allowed two runs on four hits with one walk and seven strikeouts across six innings while earning a victory against the Rangers on Sunday.

It's no secret that Verlander's biggest problem this season has been tossing up homers, but he kept the ball in the park Sunday. It was the first outing for Verlander without allowing a home run since June 6. Despite the long ball, Verlander is still experiencing a great season with 11 wins, 2.98 ERA, 0.81 WHIP, .169 batting average against and 160 strikeouts in 132.2 innings. Verlander will face the Rangers again at home Friday.

Montgomery (shoulder) threw batting practice over the weekend, Bryan Hoch of MLB.com reports.

Montgomery was shut down from throwing in June due to shoulder inflammation, but he's progressed to throwing batting practice, which likely means he's closing in on a rehab stint. Skipper Aaron Boone also mentioned that Montogmery has a chance to join the team before the end of the season and become a key contributor. Even so, the Yankees figure to exercise caution with the southpaw, especially considering he's coming off of Tommy John surgery.

Stroman (5-10) was hit with the loss after surrendering three runs on seven hits and two walks while striking out seven over six innings Sunday against the Yankees.

Stroman gave up a two-run single in the second inning, and the Yankees took the lead in the bottom of the fifth on a wild pitch. The 28-year-old did turn in a quality start, though his team wasn't able to provide enough offense for Stroman to come away with the win. He owns a 3.25 ERA and 1.27 WHIP with 88 strikeouts over 110.2 innings this season.

Valdez will serve as the primary pitcher Monday against the Angels, Brian McTaggart of MLB.com reports.

Valdez is set to piggyback off of Josh James, who will toss the first inning or so of Monday's series opener. Valdez owns a 5.28 ERA and 1.50 WHIP with a 41:22 K:BB across 46 innings this season in the big leagues.

Valdez is scheduled to serve as either a traditional starter or as the primary pitcher behind an opener during Monday's game against the Angels, Jake Kaplan of The Athletic reports.

Heading into the weekend, Houston likely planned on having Valdez make his next start Tuesday, but he'll instead be moved up to take the hill on three days' rest after Brad Peacock (shoulder) suffered a setback that will prevent him from returning from the injured list for the series opener. Valdez started the Astros' first game of the second half Thursday against the Rangers but failed to escape the first inning while serving up four runs on four hits and three walks. On the bright side, Valdez only tossed 28 pitches before getting pulled, so he shouldn't face as significant restrictions with his workload as he otherwise might while pitching on three days' rest.

Bieber allowed three runs on five hits and a walk across 6.1 innings Sunday, striking out nine and taking the no-decision in the win over Minnesota.

Bieber cruised through six scoreless innings, allowing just one runner past first base before the seventh. However, that inning would be a nightmare. The first five batters of the frame reached base, including two hits and two hit batters before he was eventually removed. Bieber will carry a 3.49 ERA into Friday's home outing against the Royals.

Berrios allowed three runs on six hits and three walks over five innings Sunday, striking out six and taking the no-decision in the loss to Cleveland.

Berrios coughed up three runs for the third straight outing, bumping his season ERA to 3.10. After exiting with a 3-0 deficit, his offense tallied three runs in the seventh inning to keep Berrios' record at 8-5. Looking for his first win since June 6, he'll face the Athletics at home Saturday.

Manager Aaron Boone said that Severino (lat) received clearance to resume a throwing program Monday, James Wagner of The New York Times reports.

Sidelined all season with rotator cuff inflammation and then a Grade 2 lat strain, Severino will essentially need to complete a full spring training before the Yankees consider activating him from the 60-day injured list. He'll start by throwing on flat ground for the first time in approximately two weeks before advancing to bullpen sessions. Realistically, Severino won't be ready to return from the IL until late August and could have his pitch counts monitored carefully in any starts he makes before the regular season ends.

Miley didn't factor into the decision in Saturday's 7-6 extra-innings win over the Rangers, giving up five runs (three earned) on four hits and a walk over 6.2 innings while striking out five.

Some shaky defense behind him allowed Miley to walk away with his third straight quality start and 11th of the year, but the southpaw was hit hard when the Rangers were able to make contact -- all four hits against him went for extra bases, including a season-high three home runs. Miley will carry a 3.32 ERA and 91:34 K:BB through 108.1 innings into his next outing Thursday, on the road against the Angels.

Kirby, the Mariners' 20th overall selection in the 2019 first-year player draft, fired two scoreless innings during his professional debut in short-season Everett's win over Vancouver on Saturday, Dan Stokes of MiLB.com reports.

Kirby allowed just one hit and recorded two strikeouts, firing a 1-2-3 first inning before allowing a single in the second. Stokes reports Kirby threw 16 of 26 pitches for strikes and earned strong grades from AquaSox pitching coach Ari Ronick. "It's something we are going to have to look at," Ronick said of Kirby's workload the rest of the summer. "He needs to get more comfortable out there, but I don't see any big mechanical changes yet."