MLB Player News

Miley may not start Sunday's game against the Angels, Eduardo A. Encina of The Baltimore Sun reports.

Apparently, Chris Tillman, who was recently moved to the bullpen, could start Sunday's game if he is not used out of the bullpen Saturday. It is unclear if this means the Orioles might be moving Miley to the bullpen or just adding a sixth starter for this turn in the rotation. Miley has a 7.44 ERA, 1.93 WHIP and 58 strikeouts over his last 65.1 innings. If Tillman is used in relief Saturday, it would seem that Miley would still be in line for Sunday's start.

Montgomery was optioned to Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre on Saturday.

With CC Sabathia coming off the DL, the Yankees needed to clear a spot on the roster. This has been a successful rookie season for the 24-year-old southpaw. He has a 4.00 ERA, 1.22 WHIP and 118 strikeouts in 126 innings and looks like a solid back-end starter long term. He will be back up when rosters expand in September, but will likely be used in a long-relief role.

Melville is the leading candidate to make a spot start in one game of Monday's doubleheader against the White Sox, Mike Berardino of the St. Paul Pioneer Press reports.

There had been speculation that prospect Stephen Gonsalves might be in line for a promotion, as the Twins need a sixth starter for the doubleheader, but he is apparently still slated to make his start Sunday for Triple-A Rochester. That leaves Melville, who is more minor-league journeyman than prospect, but has nonetheless earned a look. He has a 2.70 ERA, 1.07 WHIP and 64 strikeouts in 66.2 innings this year for Rochester. It should be noted that he has allowed 11 earned runs in nine career big-league innings, so he would be an incredibly risky fantasy option if he is indeed confirmed to start one half of Monday's doubleheader.

Cobb (toe) will return to the rotation without making a rehab start, Roger Mooney of the Tampa Bay Times reports.

He threw live batting practice prior to Saturday's game, and apparently looked good enough that the Rays are ready to thrust him back into the rotation. It is unclear exactly where he slots in, but a return Thursday against the Blue Jays seems like the most likely scenario. Either way, he can be deployed next week in weekly leagues.

Boyd pitched 1.1 innings of relief in Friday's loss to the Dodgers, allowing one run on one hit and two walks while striking out two.

It was announced earlier in the week that Boyd's next start would be bumped back from Saturday to Tuesday, so it appears the team just wanted to have him throw a bit before then, and he ended up tossing 30 pitches. After surrendering nine runs over his last two starts, Boyd will be looking to get back on track against the Yankees next week.

Keuchel (11-2) allowed three hits and a walk while striking out three over seven scoreless innings to record his second straight victory in Friday's 3-1 win over Oakland.

Keuchel returned to his early-season form Friday, inducing 17 groundouts. Just two of the 24 batters the left-hander faced hit a ball into the outfield. This was Keuchel's second straight strong outing and the 100 pitches were the most he's thrown since returning from a neck injury. He's next scheduled to pitch in Thursday's series finale against the Nationals in Houston.

McCullers (back) is scheduled to face hitters in a live batting-practice session Sunday, Jake Kaplan of the Houston Chronicle reports.

McCullers, who has been sidelined since July 31, is expected to require multiple rehabilitation starts once he's out on assignment.

Nolasco (cramps) said he is fine Friday after leaving his last start with cramps in both calves, Jeff Fletcher of The Orange County Register reports.

This isn't surprising news considering the mild nature of his injury, and Nolasco's confirmation of health puts him back on track to start Tuesday against the Rangers. The 34-year-old has posted a 5.16 ERA and 1.45 WHIP over 139.2 innings this season, so he shouldn't draw too much interest from fantasy owners in a tough matchup against a potent Rangers lineup.

Kluber (12-3) tossed 5.1 innings and allowed one run on six hits and a walk to earn the win Friday night but was forced to leave after just 74 pitches with a sprained ankle, MLB.com reports.

Kluber was on a roll and probably could have completed at least the sixth inning if not for the injury. He came off the mound awkwardly covering first base on a ground ball and was favoring the leg. Kluber stayed in for one more batter but was removed after giving up a single. Seeing as he didn't need to leave the game immediately, the injury may not be a major one. Consider Kluber day-to-day until the Cleveland training staff can evaluate him further.

Montgomery (7-6) allowed three runs on four hits and two walks while striking out three over five innings, but received no decision Friday against the Red Sox.

Montgomery gave up homers in the second and fifth innings to fall behind 3-0, but the offense came back to take him off the hook for a potential loss. He came into this game having held opponents to one earned run in three of his previous four starts, and he's been a solid fantasy option with a 4.00 ERA. His next start has yet to be determined.