MLB Player News

Sears (5-14) took the loss Sunday against the Angels after giving up three runs on four hits and two walks while striking out four over four innings.

Sears allowed multiple home runs in a start for the first time since Aug. 26 and failed to go at least five innings for the first time since Aug. 20. He allowed 33 home runs in total this season, which was the most by an Oakland pitcher since 2013. The 27-year-old finishes 2023 with a 4.54 ERA, 1.26 WHIP and 161:53 K:BB in 172.1 innings. He figures to be one of the Athletics' top returning arms in 2024.

Scherzer (shoulder) has been limited to flat-ground work since throwing a light bullpen session last Wednesday, Evan Grant of the Dallas Morning News reports.

Scherzer hasn't had a setback as he works his way back from a teres major muscle strain in his right shoulder. However, he did indicate that he didn't feel as good as he hoped to when throwing off the bump. "I'm still in the recovery process from a strain," Scherzer said. "I think the thing I learned from my bullpen session is how much you need the teres major to get down the slope of the mound. The slope really amplifies it way more than I thought." Scherzer remains hopeful of returning at some point during the playoffs for the Rangers but is not setting a target date. "I guess the best way to put it is you feel better than you actually are," he said. "The next time I get on the mound, I want to be a lot stronger. I've got to be the that much more healed."

Parsons (0-1) took the loss Sunday against the Rays after allowing nine runs on 10 hits and three walks while striking out three over four innings.

Parsons allowed a run in the opening frame before the Rays tagged him for seven more in the second, highlighted by a grand slam off the bat of Jonathan Aranda. He wound up surrendering a second home run to Manuel Margot in the fourth before his day was done. Parsons has struggled with every major league opportunity he's received since debuting in 2018 and did not fare well at Triple-A Buffalo this year either, posting a 4.52 ERA, 1.39 WHIP and 98:45 K:BB over 81.2 innings.

Greinke (2-15) earned the win Sunday, allowing one run on four hits and two walks over five innings in a 5-2 victory over the Yankees. He struck out two.

Greinke earned his first win since May 3, in a season with his fewest total wins since 2006. The only damage occurred in the sixth inning when Taylor Clarke took over for Greinke and allowed an inherited runner to score. The right-hander had one of the poorer seasons of his storied career, pitching to a 5.06 ERA and 1.27 WHIP with 97 strikeouts across 142.1 innings.

Bradish did not factor into the decision Sunday, allowing just one walk over two scoreless innings against Boston. He struck out five.

Though he was held to just two innings Sunday, Bradish struck out five of the seven batters he faced to cap an excellent sophomore campaign. The 27-year-old right-hander will end the regular season with a 2.83 ERA, 1.04 WHIP and 168:44 K:BB across 30 starts (168.2 innings). Bradish is currently lined up to start Baltimore's postseason opener next weekend.

Houck (6-10) earned the win Sunday, allowing one hit and three walks over six scoreless innings against Baltimore. He struck out six.

On the final day of the regular season, Houck delivered one of his better outings of the campaign, blanking the Orioles through six innings after allowing nine runs (eight earned) over his previous two starts (seven innings). The 27-year-old Houck will finish an up-and-down year with a 5.01 ERA, 1.37 WHIP and 99 strikeouts through 21 starts (106 innings). While the Red Sox could upgrade their starting pitching before the 2024 season, Houck seems to have the inside track to a spot in the rotation on Opening Day.

Urena did not factor into the decision, allowing four hits and three walks over six scoreless innings in Sunday's 2-1 loss to the Padres. He struck out three.

Urena finished the season on a high note, working his way through the Padres lineup without difficulty. The right-hander finished his season with a 6.45 ERA and 1.61 WHIP across 44.2 innings with 29 strikeouts. Urena is expected to look for a new contract in free agency this winter.

Ober allowed one run on two hits over 6.2 innings during Sunday's loss to Colorado. He struck out nine and did not factor in the decision.

Ober was terrific aside from coughing up a solo shot to Nolan Jones in the fourth inning. Ober matched his season high with nine punchouts while forcing a season-high 22 whiffs. He gave up two or fewer runs in each of his final four starts of the regular season, registering a 2.08 ERA and a 26:3 K:BB during that stretch. Ober ended the year with a strong 3.43 ERA and 146:29 K:BB through 144.1 innings.

Kirby (13-10) allowed three hits and struck out seven without walking a batter over six shutout innings to earn the win Sunday versus the Rangers.

While the Mariners came up short in pursuit of a playoff spot, Kirby still took the hill and turned in a gem for his final start of the year. He won his last three starts of the campaign, allowing just three runs over 19 innings in that span. The 25-year-old right-hander ends 2023 with a strong 3.35 ERA as well as a 1.04 WHIP and 165:19 K:BB over 190.2 innings across 31 starts. His 0.9 BB/9 was by far the best among qualified starters this season -- Tampa Bay's Zach Eflin was next closest with a 1.2 BB/9.

Giolito (8-15) took the loss Sunday, allowing five runs on seven hits and four walks over five innings in a 5-2 loss against the Tigers. He struck out four.

Giolito has now given up at least three runs and three walks in his past three outings, as command issues have impacted his ability to limit scoring lately. The right-hander concludes his season with a 4.88 ERA and 1.31 WHIP across 184.1 innings with 204 strikeouts while pitching for the White Sox, Angels and Guardians. As Giolito heads to free agency this winter, interested teams may be willing to bet on his strikeout upside in hopes he can improve upon his 3.6 BB/9.