MLB Player News

Valdez (4-1) allowed one run on three hits and two walks while striking out nine over six innings of relief to pick up the win over the Angels on Sunday.

Valdez entered the game in the second inning for starter Charlie Morton, who left with a shoulder injury. He was effective despite spotty command, which has become his trademark. Valdez was available for relief duty this weekend, but manager A.J. Hinch didn't expect to use him for this many innings. He had been scheduled to start Wednesday in Toronto, but that's no longer the case.

Gibson (9-13) registered the win against the Athletics on Sunday, giving up just one earned run on seven hits over 7.1 innings, striking out three and walking three in the Twins' 5-1 victory.

He only punched out three batters, but it was still an excellent outing from the right-hander, who tossed 114 pitches to make it through his 7.1 frames. His 9-13 record might not show it, but Gibson has provided unexpectedly solid and consistent fantasy value this season, as he's now sporting a respectable 3.68 ERA, a 1.31 WHIP and a 172:76 K:BB over 190.2 innings.

Perez fired four innings and took a no-decision Sunday, yielding one run on two hits while striking out one in the win over Seattle.

Perez made a spot start Sunday and was relatively impressive, needing just 49 pitches to get through four solid innings. The 27-year-old has been better since getting moved to the bullpen in August but still owns a 6.13 ERA in 83.2 innings this season. Perez will likely remain in the bullpen for the rest of the year.

Rodon (6-7) pitched 2.1 innings and took a loss Sunday, yielding six runs on nine hits (one home run) while striking out three in the loss to the Cubs.

Sunday was the worst -- and shortest -- start of the season for Rodon, as he watched his ERA jump from 3.22 to 3.61. After closing August on a three-game winning streak, the 25-year-old has taken a loss in four of his last five starts, allowing 20 runs in just 26.1 innings of work during that span. Rodon will look to end the season on a high note against the Twins on Friday.

Morton (shoulder) is expected to make one final start next weekend in Baltimore before the regular season ends, Brian McTaggart of MLB.com reports.

Morton was removed from Sunday's game as a precaution after his velocity was noticeably down, with the Astros diagnosing him with right shoulder discomfort shortly after the contest. It's the same injury that resulted in Morton landing on the disabled list in August, but the Astros apparently aren't too concerned about the issue. Assuming Morton gains clearance to start during the Astros' final series of the regular season, he'll likely face a limited pitch count as manager A.J. Hinch looks to preserve the right-hander for the postseason.

Snell (21-5) allowed no runs on three hits and two walks over 6.2 innings while recording the win over the Blue Jays on Sunday. He struck out 11.

Snell was outstanding again, winning his ninth consecutive start. The left-hander permitted only three singles and during his nine-start winning streak has given up only six earned runs in 46 innings. The 25-year-old has a sterling 1.90 ERA and a 0.96 WHIP this season, and his next scheduled start is Friday at home against these same Blue Jays.

Keller (9-6) picked up the win Sunday against the Tigers, lasting seven innings and giving up just one run on three hits and three walks while striking out a pair. The start will wind up as his final assignment of the season, Jeffrey Flanagan of MLB.com reports.

Keller retired the first nine batters he faced before allowing a short rally to start the fourth inning. A double play cut that rally short after just one run, and he remained out of serious trouble for the remainder of the outing. He'll finish the season with an excellent 3.08 ERA in 140.1 innings, a superb return for a Rule 5 draft pick.

Morton was forced from Sunday's game after just one inning due to right shoulder discomfort, Brian McTaggart of MLB.com reports.

The same injury sent Morton to the disabled list earlier in the season. The severity of this occurrence isn't clear yet, though he has at most one more start left in the regular season, which may now be in doubt.

Morton allowed one run during a 24-pitch first inning before leaving Sunday's start against the Angels with an apparent injury, Brian McTaggart of MLB.com reports.

Morton's command was relatively fine (15 of the 24 pitches were strikes), but more concerning is that his velocity seemed to be down. Specifics are currently unclear, and more information should be available sometime Sunday.

The Mariners list Paxton (illness) as their probable starter for Monday's game against the Athletics, Greg Johns of MLB.com reports.

Paxton has been out since Sept. 7 while dealing with symptoms of the flu and pneumonia, but the Seattle ace looks on track to finish the season healthy after completing a 40-pitch bullpen session Friday without incident. He declared himself ready to start again after completing the side session and the Mariners' training staff apparently concurred, as the lefty will kick off the team's seven-game homestand to end the campaign. Paxton will line up for a two-start week, with his second turn expected to come Sept. 29 or 30 against the Rangers.