MLB Player News

Leahy is lined up to serve as the Cardinals' opening pitcher for Sunday's game against the Cubs, Jeff Jones of the Belleville News-Democrat reports.

As long as Leahy isn't needed to pitch in relief Friday or Saturday, he'll lead off a bullpen game in the final day of the regular season. Leahy has never started a game at the big-league level, but the Cardinals plan to stretch him out next season for a potential spot in the rotation. The 28-year-old hasn't gone more than two innings in any of his last 15 appearances, so his workload will be limited Sunday.

Diaz allowed a hit in a scoreless inning to earn the save in Thursday's 8-5 win over the Cubs.

Diaz gave up a leadoff single to Carson Kelly but erased it with a game-ending double play from Dansby Swanson. It's been a strong September for Diaz, who has allowed just one run while posting a 17:3 K:BB over 11.2 innings, though the Mets haven't given him a ton of chances to rack up saves. For the season, he's 28-for-31 in save conversions while pitching to a 1.71 ERA, 0.92 WHIP and 96:21 K:BB through 63.1 innings.

Beeks (5-3) took the loss against the Dodgers on Thursday, allowing a solo home run while striking out one batter in one inning.

Beeks was tabbed as Arizona's opener for Thursday's series finale. He got through the first inning cleanly, but he was brought out for the second and subsequently gave up a solo home run to Freddie Freeman. Beeks was pulled after the homer, but he was stuck with the loss after the Diamondbacks failed to tack on any runs. Beeks sits at a 3.77 ERA and 1.08 WHIP across 57.1 innings this season.

Ashcraft (4-4) took the loss Thursday against Cincinnati, allowing two runs on eight hits and a walk over 4.1 innings. He struck out five.

Ashcraft was sharp early, holding the Reds scoreless through his first four innings, but he stumbled in the fifth, allowing a pair of runs after giving up four straight hits to open the frame. While it didn't end on a high note, Ashcraft had a strong rookie campaign as a swingman in Pittsburgh, posting a 2.71 ERA, 1.25 WHIP and 71:24 K:BB across 69.2 innings. He'll likely be in the mix to claim a rotation spot in 2026.

Pagan turned in a perfect ninth inning in Thursday's 2-1 win over the Pirates to earn his 30th save.

Thanks to Noelvi Marte's home-run robbery in the ninth inning, Pagan has now converted his last four save chances while holding opponents scoreless in his last eight innings -- he's allowed just four hits while striking out eight in that span. The veteran right-hander sports a 2.97 ERA with a 0.95 WHIP and 79 strikeouts across 66.2 innings this season.

The Mets recalled Herget from Triple-A Syracuse on Thursday.

Herget has posted a 3.00 ERA and 1.33 WHIP over 12 innings in the big leagues this season, and he'll now return to give the Mets' bullpen another fresh arm for the final few games of the regular season. Richard Lovelady was designated for assignment in a corresponding move.

The Pirates recalled Shugart from Triple-A Indianapolis on Thursday.

Shugart will be able to offer some length out of the Pirates' bullpen. He's posted a 3.50 ERA and 29:17 K:BB over 43.2 frames this season and has gone multiple innings in 14 of 34 appearances.

The Pirates optioned Moreta to Triple-A Indianapolis on Thursday.

Moreta has pitched well in 18 appearances out of the Pirates' bullpen this season, collecting a 3.24 ERA and 19:7 K:BB over 16.2 frames. He'll be replaced on the roster and in the bullpen by Chase Shugart.

Beeks will serve as the opening pitcher for the Diamondbacks in Thursday's game versus the Dodgers, Bob Nightengale of USA Today reports.

Beeks will likely throw just one inning before handing things off to Nabil Crismatt, who is slated for bulk relief. It's the second opener assignment this season for Beeks, who has posted a 3.67 ERA and 46:20 K:BB over 56.1 frames.

Santana gave up a run on two hits in 1.1 innings Wednesday to blow his third save of the season in a 4-3 extra-innings win over the Reds. He struck out two without walking a batter.

The right-hander got taken deep by Tyler Stephenson in the ninth inning to tie the game at 2-2, only for the Pirates to pull out the win in the 11th. Santana may not have a classic closer's arsenal, averaging 94.8 mph on his fastball, but he's been very effective this year in a high-leverage role, recording four wins, 15 saves and 12 holds with a 2.24 ERA, 0.88 WHIP and 58:17 K:BB through 68.1 innings.