MLB Player News

Verlander (16-9) tossed seven innings while earning the win Sunday, allowing one run on a walk and three hits (including a home run) and striking out 11 in the 5-4 win against Arizona.

Verlander cruised through five scoreless innings before David Peralta tagged him with a solo shot in the sixth. Still, it was another terrific outing for the 35-year-old, who has fanned 40 batters over his last four starts. On the season, he owns a ridiculous 269:36 K:BB. He'll carry a 2.67 ERA into Saturday's home contest against the Angels.

Mariners manager Scott Servais said there's a "small percentage" chance that Paxton could start Wednesday against the Astros, but it's more likely the lefty rejoins the rotation next weekend versus the Rangers, Greg Johns of MLB.com reports.

Though Paxton threw off flat ground Saturday without setbacks, the Mariners may want him to build up his arm with a bullpen session and/or a live batting practice session before ushering him back into the rotation. It seems unlikely that he'll be able to do that before Wednesday, so the Mariners may need to turn to Roenis Elias to make a second straight spot start after filling in for Paxton earlier this weekend. Felix Hernandez (hamstring) could also be an option to start Wednesday if he's deemed healthy enough to toe the rubber by that time.

Paxton (illness) emerged from Saturday's catch session without setbacks, but his exact return date to the rotation remains up in the air, Greg Johns of MLB.com reports.

While the report coming from Saturday's catch session is encouraging, manager Scott Servais remains undecided about Paxton's exact precise timetable. The Mariners skipper mentioned the possibility of Paxton throwing an early-week bullpen session to further gauge his progress in a return from a bout with pneumonia, but the team appears to be preparing reliever Roenis Elias for a second straight start Wednesday against the Astros as a backup plan.

Sale is scheduled to pitch three or four innings Sunday, Stephen Hewitt of the Boston Herald reports.

Sale will be making his second start since being activated from his second stint on disabled list with left shoulder inflammation, but he won't pitch long enough to qualify for a win. In Sale's first start, he pitched just one inning and threw 26 pitches. The Red Sox are carefully working him back to full health in preparation for the playoffs.

Chirinos struck out five and allowed three runs on seven hits and one run across 5.1 innings Saturday against the A's.

Chirinos followed opener Ryne Stanek, who pitched a scoreless first inning, and held his own, allowing just one extra-base hit -- a Matt Olson solo homer in the sixth inning. The 24-year-old righty has now made three appearances in September (all in relief), posting a respectable 3.38 ERA and 1.18 WHIP with 16 strikeouts across 18.2 innings in those outings. Chirinos will likely continue to work in a long-relief role down the stretch, though he could step into the rotation for a spot start should an opportunity arise.

Heaney allowed two earned runs on eight hits and a walk while striking out four across five innings Saturday against the Mariners. He did not factor into the decision.

Heaney allowed two solo home runs in his final frame to account for both of his earned runs. After striking out a season-best 12 batters in his last start, Heaney didn't duplicate that dominance but limited the damage by allowing one extra-base hit -- besides the home runs -- and handing out only one free pass. He's now allowed two earned runs across his last 12 innings and he'll look to keep the solid stretch going in his next start, likely to come Friday at the Astros.

Morton (15-3) picked up the win Saturday, allowing two runs on three hits over six innings while striking out seven in a 10-4 victory over the Diamondbacks.

In a different era, his stellar winning percentage and 3.15 ERA might be garnering Morton some Cy Young consideration, but he'll instead have to make do with a legitimate shot at a second straight World Series ring. The right-hander will next take the mound Friday at home against the Angels.

German (elbow) was recalled from Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre on Saturday, Conor Foley of The Scranton Times-Tribune reports.

German has been out since July 27 with a nerve issue in his elbow and was rehabbing with High-A Tampa at the end of August. The 26-year-old has a 5.68 ERA and 1.32 WHIP in the majors this season -- mostly as a starter -- and should serve as a long reliever out of the Yankees bullpen for the stretch run.

Clevinger (12-8) earned the win against the Tigers on Saturday, allowing one hit over six scoreless innings. He struck out five and walked three.

The Indians scored 15 runs over the first four innings and Clevinger shut down the Tigers to earn the easy victory. The 27-year-old has thrown six straight quality starts and is next expected to take the mound Friday against the Red Sox.

McCullers (forearm) completed a 20-pitch bullpen session Saturday, Hunter Atkins of the Houston Chronicle reports.

McCullers also faced a batter and was able to mix in all of his pitches. The 24-year-old is scheduled for another bullpen session Tuesday as the Astros hope to bring him into the bullpen before the end of the regular season.