MLB Player News

Yankeesstarter Nathan Eovaldi (elbow) threw a simulated game Monday, Joe Lemire of USA Today reports.

Eovaldi has now been able to throw regularly for over a week and appears to be a candidate to rejoin the team should they advance to the American League Division Series. While he's likely not stretched out enough to return to the rotation, he should be at least available out of the bullpen.

Yankees veteran left-hander CC Sabathia will miss the postseason after deciding to check himself into alcohol rehab, Ben Nicholson-Smith of Sportsnet reports.

There's a question as to whether he would have made the postseason roster anyway, but now that has been solved. With him out, it seems likely the Yankees would return Nathan Eovaldi for the American League Division Series if he's healthy. Otherwise they may decide to go with a three-man rotation if they get past Houston.

Astros starter Lance McCullers (6-7) allowed three runs (two earned) on six hits and two walks with six strikeouts over five innings Sunday against Arizona. He did not factor into the decision.

In 22 starts during the regular season, he finished with a respectable 3.22 ERA, 1.19 WHIP and 129:43 K:BB ratio over 125 2/3 innings. Considering he just turned 22 years old a few days ago, those are excellent numbers. His 3.33 FIP suggests his success wasn't a fluke either.

Coming off a strong rookie season, McCullers is a near-lock to open 2016 in the Houston rotation.

White Sox pitcher Frankie Montas held the Tigers to one run on two hits in four innings Sunday. He also struck out seven in the season finale.

The Tigers pounced on Montas for a run in the first inning, but he settled down after and let the whiffs roll. The White Sox have remained noncommittal as to whether Montas belongs in the rotation or bullpen long-term, but his latest showing showed some promise for the former option.

Rays pitcher Alex Cobb (elbow) threw a baseball Saturday for the first time since undergoing Tommy John surgery in May, Roger Mooney of The Tampa Tribune reports.

Cobb should gradually increase his throwing activities throughout the offseason, but he's still unlikely to open the 2016 season as a member of the Rays' rotation. If he endures no setbacks in his recovery over the next several months, it's possible Cobb could return to the majors at some point before midseason.

Indians starter Corey Kluber (9-16) blanked the Red Sox over eight innings Saturday in 2-0 victory, surrendering only three hits and two walks. He struck out nine.

After a five-start losing streak during which he was done in by a combination of questionable pitching and inconsistent run support, the stars finally aligned for Kluber on Saturday. The outing marked his second eight-inning shutout of 2015, and the third time overall that he blanked the opposing squad during his time on the mound.

Although his ERA did rise over last year's number by a full point--going from 2.44 to 3.49--it was actually lower than the 3.85 figure he'd posted while amassing a solid 11-5 record in 2013. Kluber's other key metrics did not suffer any drastic drops this season either, and his BB/9 rate actually improved from 2014's 1.95 to 1.82. Nevertheless, the 29-year-old practically reversed his 2014 AL Cy Young-winning 18-9 record during a disappointing campaign, but certainly has the talent to rebound strongly next season.

Yankees starter Luis Severino surrendered five hits and three earned runs over seven innings in Saturday's 4-3 loss to the Orioles. He struck out six but did not factor into the decision.

The 21-year-old rookie wraps up 2015 with three consecutive quality outings, during which he has posted an impressive 2.37 ERA. Severino was sharp Saturday, throwing 66 of 91 pitches for strikes, securing first-pitch strikes on 21 of 26 hitters, and inducing 13 swings-and-misses. He didn't help his cause by surrendering homers to Nolan Reimold and the red-hot Manny Machado, bringing his final HR/9 rate for 2015 to 1.30.

While Severino definitely needs to curtail his propensity for surrendering round-trippers and handing out free passes, he turned in a considerably strong rookie campaign, and would be in line to start Game 1 of a possible AL Division Series for the Yankees.

Tigers starter Justin Verlander went six innings Saturday, allowing two earned runs on five hits and a walk while striking out nine in a 4-3 loss to the White Sox.

Verlander took a no-decision in his final outing of 2015, wrapping his season up with four consecutive quality starts. The former Cy Young winner put up solid numbers in his abbreviated season, improving his K/9 to 7.63 from 6.95 in 2014.

Twins starting pitcher Tommy Milone took a no-decision Saturday despite a quality start, allowing just one run on six hits and two walks over six innings while striking out five.

He ends the season on a high note, and Milone will finish 2015 with a 3.92 ERA and 1.27 WHIP, numbers right in line with his career prior to last year's stumble.

Rangers left-hander Cole Hamels will start Sunday against the Angels, MLB.com's Phil Rogers reports.

He would not have pitched again until the postseason but the Rangers collapsed Saturday and Sunday's game now carries a great deal of importance. Garrett Richards will start on short rest for the Angels.