MLB Player News

Schwellenbach came away with a no-decision in the first game of Monday's doubleheader against the Mets, allowing one run on four hits over seven innings. He struck out five without walking a batter.

The rookie right-hander was sharp once again, firing 68 of 94 pitches for strikes in his 12th quality start of the season and leaving the mound in line for a playoff-clinching victory. Atlanta's bullpen unraveled however, coughing up eight runs in the final two frames to cost Schwellenbach his ninth win. He wraps up an impressive first regular season in the majors with a 3.35 ERA, 1.04 WHIP and 127:23 K:BB through 123.2 innings, but Atlanta -- which won the nightcap to get into the postseason -- will likely need to advance past the Wild Card Round for Schwellenbach to pitch again in 2024.

Montero is not on the Tigers' roster for the American League Wild Card Series against the Astros, Evan Woodbery of MLive.com reports.

The Tigers' starting pitching plans beyond Tarik Skubal in Game 1 are cloudy, but Montero didn't make the cut despite a 3.79 ERA over 10 starts and two relief appearances from August on. He could potentially be added to the ALDS roster, if the Tigers advance.

Lucchesi (0-2) took the loss in the second game of Monday's doubleheader against Atlanta, allowing one run on three hits and four walks over six innings. He struck out five.

The 31-year-old got the spot start -- just his second MLB appearance of 2024 -- after the Mets clinched a wild-card berth by winning the first game of the twin bill, and Lucchesi delivered his first quality start in the majors since Sept. 27 of last year. A lack of run support from a lineup resting top players like Francisco Lindor saddled him with the loss, however. Lucchesi tossed 111 pitches (62 strikes) in the outing, but he likely wasn't factoring into New York's postseason rotation plans anyway.

Megill came away with a no-decision in the first game of Monday's doubleheader against Atlanta, giving up three runs on eight hits and two walks over 5.2 innings. He struck out eight.

The right-hander had some trouble keeping the ball in the yard, serving up a two-run homer to Ozzie Albies in the third inning and a solo shot to Ramon Laureano in the sixth, but the Mets' offense got Megill off the hook for a loss in an eventual 8-7 victory that clinched a wild-card spot for New York. Megill hadn't given up a homer in five starts since rejoining the big-league staff in late August, and in 31 innings over that stretch he sports a 2.32 ERA, 1.13 WHIP and 36:10 K:BB. It's not clear how the 29-year-old will fit into the Mets' postseason rotation plans, but after throwing 100 pitches Monday (66 strikes) he's likely unavailable for the Wild Card Round.

Verlander is not on the Astros' roster for the American League Wild Card Series versus the Tigers, Matt Kawahara of the Houston Chronicle reports.

Verlander's absence from the roster, while perhaps jarring, is not a surprise, as he wasn't going to make a start in the series and was unlikely to be carried as a reliever. Whether he's on the ALDS roster, should the Astros advance, is a bigger question. Ronel Blanco and Spencer Arrighetti will be available in relief for Houston in the wild-card series.

Suarez is not on the Orioles' American League Wild Card Series roster.

Suarez is a candidate to potentially get a start in the ALDS, should the Orioles advance, but the club will need just a max of three starters during the wild-card series. Matt Bowman was also left off the Orioles' roster, with Colin Selby and Cade Povich capturing the final two spots in the bullpen.

Elder is a candidate to start Game 1 of the NL Wild Card Series against the Padres on Tuesday, Mark Bowman of MLB.com reports.

Elder, AJ Smith-Shawver and Ian Anderson have all been named as options for Tuesday's game, and the club doesn't appear to be in a hurry to name a starter. Elder struggled to find his footing in the big leagues during the regular season, accruing a 6.52 ERA and 1.63 WHIP with 46 strikeouts across 49.2 innings (10 starts).

Smith-Shawver could start Game 1 of the NL Wild Card Series against the Padres on Tuesday, Mark Bowman of MLB.com reports.

Bowman notes that Bryce Elder and Ian Anderson are two other options for Atlanta in Game 1, and it seems the club is content with keeping its pitching plans behind closed doors until closer to first pitch. Smith-Shawver made one start during the regular season, tossing 4.1 scoreless innings May 23 against the Cubs.

Anderson is a candidate to start Game 1 of the NL Wild Card Series against the Padres on Tuesday, Mark Bowman of MLB.com reports.

Bowman stated that AJ Smith-Shawver and Bryce Elder are also in the mix, and it wouldn't be a surprise to see the club wait until closer to first pitch to announce who will get the start. Anderson hasn't pitched in the big league since 2022 but has impressive postseason numbers, as he's posted a 1.26 ERA and 1.04 WHIP with a 40:17 K:BB across 35.2 innings (eight starts).

Manager Brian Snitker doesn't believe Sale (back) will be available to pitch during the team's upcoming wild-card series against the Padres, David O'Brien of The Athletic reports.

Sale was scratched from the second game of Monday's doubleheader against the Mets due to back spasms, and the issue could force the southpaw to miss the entire first round of the postseason. Snitker notes that Sale hasn't officially been ruled out just yet, but this isn't promising news for Atlanta, which may be forced to rely more upon Max Fried, Reynaldo Lopez and Charlie Morton.