MLB Player News

Keuchel (11-3) suffered a loss to the Rangers on Wednesday after allowing six runs on five hits and three walks over six innings. He struck out seven.

Keuchel was 9-0 with a 1.67 ERA and a 69:18 K:BB when he hit the DL back in early June; over seven starts since returning, he's gone 2-3 with a 5.35 ERA and a 28:17 K:BB over 38.2 innings. If you're looking for a silver lining, perhaps Wednesday's strikeouts and the fact that all the runs against him came in one inning (the fourth) will be of some comfort. Also promising is that his next start is slated to come Sunday against the Mets, who don't have much of an offense left to speak of these days. Better yet, Keuchel will get to make that home start back in Houston; Wednesday's "home" game was played at the Rays' stadium in St. Petersburg, Fla., thanks to the flooding in Texas from Hurricane Harvey.

Montgomery was optioned to Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre following Wednesday's doubleheader with the Indians.

Montgomery, who was tagged for four runs over four innings of work in Game 2 of Wednesday's doubleheader, will head back to the minors after serving as the 26th man. The 24-year-old should be back with the Yankees in the near future to serve as a long reliever out of the bullpen down the stretch. He would also be the top option for a spot start should the Yankees need a sixth starter at any point in September.

Montgomery (7-7) took the loss in the second game of Wednesday's doubleheader against Cleveland, allowing four runs on six hits and three walks over four innings while striking out five.

The lefty needed 92 pitches (58 strikes) to record just 12 outs as his second-half struggles continue. Montgomery now has a 5.35 ERA in 38.2 innings since the All-Star break, but he will likely move to the bullpen in September barring another injury to one of the Yankees' veteran hurlers.

Verlander said he felt some fatigue in his trapezius muscle during Wednesday's win over the Rockies, Anthony Fenech of the Detroit Free Press reports. When asked if he was concerned about the issue, Verlander said, no.

Verlander believes the issue cropped up while he was hitting, but he didn't seem worried about the soreness, saying "I'll take it for an RBI." The issue didn't seem to hinder his effectiveness, as he limited the Rockies to one run on three hits through six innings while striking out nine. Unless something goes wrong this week, it appears Verlander is in line to make his next scheduled start Monday against the Royals.

Verlander (10-8) picked up the win against the Rockies on Wednesday, allowing only one run on three hits and a walk over six innings while striking out nine.

Charlie Blackmon's solo homer in the sixth inning was the only blemish on a dominant performance by Verlander, made more impressive by the fact that it came at Coors Field. The veteran righty even added his first career RBI on a single in the second inning to kick off the scoring for the Tigers. Trade rumors are swirling once again around Verlander, and it's no wonder considering he's fired quality starts in seven of his last eight outings, posting a 2.41 ERA, 0.91 WHIP and 64:12 K:BB in 56 innings over that stretch. If the 34-year-old is still in a Detroit uniform, his next start will come Monday at home against the Royals.

The Astros hope McCullers' (back) rehab start Wednesday will be his last before he is activated, Jake Kaplan of the Houston Chronicle reports.

If it is indeed his final rehab start, he would presumably return to the rotation Monday or Tuesday in Seattle. He gave up three runs on three hits and five walks in three innings in his last rehab start, throwing 33 of his 59 pitches for strikes. Upping his pitch count and walking fewer batters in his second rehab start will be two key factors to check on to see if McCullers is trending toward joining the rotation early next week.

Montgomery was officially recalled as the 26th man prior to starting Game 2 of Wednesday's doubleheader against the Indians.

Since he is serving as the 26th man, he may be briefly sent down after the game, but should be back up shortly after to serve as a long reliever out of the bullpen. If the Yankees have a need of a sixth starter at any point in September, however, Montgomery would likely be the top choice. He will face Ryan Merritt in this spot start.

Clevinger is available out of the bullpen Wednesday against the Yankees, which could result in his next start getting pushed to Sunday, Zack Meisel of The Athletic Cleveland reports.

With a doubleheader Wednesday, the Indians will make Clevinger available in case of emergency. The most likely scenario is he is not used and makes his scheduled start Friday, but it's possible he is used and starts Sunday's series finale in Detroit.

McKenzie covered six innings and struck out 11 batters Tuesday for High-A Lynchburg. He gave up a run on one hit and a walk.

McKenzie rebounded from a rough outing his last time out Aug. 19 to continue his dominance of the Carolina League, lowering his ERA to 3.57 over 136 innings with Lynchburg. The 20-year-old ranks second in all of the minors with 176 strikeouts, cementing his status as the Indians' top pitching prospect. McKenzie's accomplishments are all the more impressive when considering that he has yet to throw more than 100 pitches in any start this season. At 6-foot-5 and a rail-thin 165 pounds, McKenzie has plenty time to add strength and develop into a workhorse as he matures.

Bundy (13-8) threw a one-hitter against the Mariners on Tuesday to earn his 13th win of the season. He struck out 12 and issued two walks.

The 12 strikeouts were a career high, and Bundy has now reached double-digit strikeouts in three of his last four starts. He has a 3.04 ERA, 0.95 WHIP and 53:10 K:BB over 47.1 innings since the All-Star break. It's easy to forget that Bundy is still just 24 years old given that he first broke into the majors in 2012. The injury history remains a concern, but Bundy is finally living up to the hype from his prospect days with his performance on the field.