MLB Player News

Sale is feeling better Saturday after battling an illness during the ALCS, Jason Mastrodonato of the Boston Herald reports.

Sale was hospitalized and scratched from his scheduled start for Game 5 of the ALCS, though he would have started Game 6 if necessary. It appears that he should have no issues by Game 1 of the World Series on Tuesday.

Sale (illness) will start Game 1 of the World Series on Tuesday, WEEI 93.7 FM reports.

This shouldn't come as any surprise, especially considering Sale will have a few more days to fully recover from the stomach illness that he came down with this past weekend. The 29-year-old would have started Game 6 of the ALCS versus Houston, but the Red Sox were able to close out the series in five games. Boston manager Alex Cora admitted that the full rotation for the World Series hasn't been set just yet, but David Price will likely follow Sale in Game 2.

Verlander gave up four runs on seven hits with two walks over six innings and took the loss against the Red Sox in Game 5 of the American League Championship Series. He struck out four.

Verlander was solid through his first five innings of work, as he surrendered only a third-inning solo home run to J.D. Martinez, but a Rafael Devers three-run smash in the sixth sealed the Astros' fate. The right-hander allowed eight runs on eight walks and 11 hits while striking out 17 in his three postseason appearances, recording an ERA of 4.50.

Sale (illness) played catch in the outfield prior to Game 5 of the ALCS in Houston, Jim Bowden of The Athletic reports.

Sale was ruled out for Thursday's game 24 hours ago, but he felt good after playing catch and is in line for a Game 6 start Saturday should the Astros extend the series with a victory Thursday night, according to Christopher Smith of MassLive.com. The left-hander admitted that he was still feeling a bit fatigued and weak Wednesday morning after going to the hospital for a stomach illness this past weekend, so it was a good sign to see him back on the field Thursday afternoon.

Morton gave up three runs on three hits with two walks over 2.1 innings in a no-decision against the Red Sox in Game 4 of the American League Championship Series. He struck out two.

It was trouble from the start as Morton gave up a two-run single to Rafael Devers in the first inning and surrendered an RBI double to Xander Bogaerts that ended his outing in the third inning. The right-hander's first appearance of the postseason was disappointing to say the least, as it took him 53 pitches to get through 2.1 innings and he allowed five baserunners in addition to two wild pitches. The 34-year-old now has an 11.57 ERA in the postseason.

Sale will not pitch in Game 5 on Thursday since he's still feeling weak from a stomach illness that put him in the hospital earlier this week, Buster Olney of ESPN reports.

There was initial hope that Sale would be ready to start Thursday's contest after coming down with the illness Sunday, though the Red Sox's victory in Game 3 may have played a role in changing manager Alex Cora's thought process regarding the left-hander's availability. Sale was able to throw a light bullpen session Wednesday and tentatively will line up to start Saturday's game back in Boston should the series extend past five games. Look for an update on his status in the coming days.

Sale (illness) will throw a bullpen session early Wednesday to help determine his potential availability for Thursday's Game 5 of the ALCS against the Astros, Jen McCaffrey of The Athletic reports.

Sale was released from the hospital Monday after being admitted to deal with a stomach illness a day prior. It will likely be a light session for the left-hander with Game 5 coming a day later. For what it's worth, Sale told manager Alex Cora, "I'm good enough [to pitch]" when asked about his health, according to Mark Feinsand of MLB.com.

Manager A.J. Hinch said Verlander will start Game 5 of the ALCS against the Red Sox on Thursday, Chandler Rome of the Houston Chronicle reports.

As expected, Verlander will get the ball for Game 5 after picking up a win in Game 1 with a quality outing. The ace is 2-0 with a 3.18 ERA, 0.88 WHIP and 13:6 K:BB through two starts (11.1 innings) this postseason.

Sale (illness) was released from the hospital Monday and cleared to rejoin the Red Sox, Evan Drellich of NBC Sports Boston reports.

Sale is set to rejoin the Red Sox in Houston on Tuesday ahead of Game 3 of the ALCS after spending the night in the hospital with a minor illness. It's unclear if the southpaw will still get the ball for Game 5 on Thursday, as manager Alex Cora said the team will wait and see how Sale feels Tuesday before determining his next step.

Manager Alex Cora stated that Sale's illness is "nothing serious" and he's expected to join the team in Houston sometime Monday, Rustin Dodd of The Athletic reports.

Sale was admitted to a Boston hospital with a stomach illness Sunday, but after being observed for one night he's expected to rejoin the club. Assuming he doesn't suffer any further setbacks, Sale should remain on schedule to pitch Thursday in Game 5 as planned.