MLB Player News

The Astros designated Alexander for assignment Thursday.

Alexander will end up as the roster casualty necessary to make room for Jose Barrosa, who was selected to the active roster Thursday. Alexander has struggled mightily during his time in the majors, logging a 9.33 ERA and 1.58 WHIP in 18.1 innings, and he hasn't been very effective at Triple-A either (5.26 ERA, 1.49 WHIP, 87.1 IP).

Sandlin (3-2) earned the win after allowing one run on five hits over six innings against the Royals on Thursday. He struck out seven.

Sandlin recorded his longest start and first quality start since June 26, also against the Royals, after allowing just one run over six innings. The lone mistake the 25-year-old gave up was a solo shot to Salvador Perez in the fourth inning. Over eight games (six starts) this season, the right-hander owns a 5.58 ERA, 1.21 WHIP and 40:13 K:BB in 40.1 innings.

Rocker (6-11) earned the win Thursday over the Mets, allowing a run on three hits and two walks over five innings. He struck out four.

Rocker's pitch count was limited again, though he managed to qualify for the win Thursday, as he efficiently made it through five innings with just 74 pitches. Despite the reduced workload, Rocker finished the regular season on a high note, holding opponents to just three runs on eight hits across 13.1 innings in his final three outings. Overall, the 26-year-old Rocker posted a 4.38 ERA with a 1.41 WHIP and 138:61 K:BB in 148 innings this season.

The White Sox placed Castillo on the 15-day injured list Thursday with a right shoulder impingement.

Castillo posted a 7.52 ERA in six starts and then a 13.50 ERA in three relief outings after being demoted to the Chicago bullpen. The veteran right-hander will be eligible for activation during the ALDS, but considering how he's pitched, there's a good chance Castillo's season is over even if he's healthy.

Cantillo is slated to pitch in bulk relief behind opener Daniel Espino in Thursday's game at Boston, Zack Meisel of The Athletic reports.

For a third straight appearance, Cantillo will work in relief of Espino, who is likely to be limited to 1-to-2 innings. Cantillo has looked sharp out of the bullpen, posting a 13:2 K:BB while giving up just three hits over 10 shutout frames.

Gibson (2-3) picked up the win in the second game of Wednesday's doubleheader against Toronto, allowing three hits and two walks over 6.2 scoreless innings. He struck out seven.

In his first big-league start since June 30, Gibson took advantage of a demoralized Blue Jays squad that had been eliminated from playoff contention in the first half of the twin bill. The result was the best start of the 24-year-old righty's brief career, as he fired 65 of 92 pitches for strikes in his first quality start. He's struggled to find much consistency in 2026, either in the majors or at Triple-A, but with Trevor Rogers and Chris Bassitt both set to reach free agency this offseason, there could be a spot in the 2027 rotation for Gibson.

Bassitt (9-5) picked up the win in the first game of Wednesday's doubleheader sweep of the Blue Jays, allowing two runs on seven hits and a walk over five innings. He struck out two.

It was something of a revenge game for veteran right-hander, as with the victory Bassitt helped eliminate his former club from playoff contention while keeping Baltimore's faint wild-card hopes alive. Bassitt has been on a roll to close out the 2026 regular season, winning five of his last six starts while posting a 3.63 ERA, 1.41 WHIP and 28:12 K:BB over 34.2 innings.

Scherzer (3-9) took the loss in the first game of Wednesday's doubleheader against the Orioles, giving up four runs on four hits and three walks over five innings. He struck out seven.

Getting swept in the twin bill officially eliminated the Blue Jays from playoff contention, but Scherzer went down firing as he tossed 60 of 93 pitches for strikes. The 42-year-old right-hander has a 4.41 ERA, 1.16 WHIP and 29:14 K:BB over his last six starts and 32.2 innings, but his personal campaign may not be done -- after Wednesday's performance, Scherzer sits four career strikeouts behind former teammate Justin Verlander (hamstring) for eighth place on MLB's all-time list. Toronto manager suggested before Wednesday's outing that Scherzer could pitch again at home Sunday versus Cincinnati in the regular-season finale, both to give a potential farewell to home fans and to try and catch Verlander.

Bradford didn't factor into the decision Wednesday against the Mets after allowing two runs on four hits while striking out one over 4.1 innings.

Bradford kept New York scoreless through two innings before Francisco Lindor singled with two outs in the third and Juan Soto followed with a two-run homer to right-center. Those were the only runs charged to Bradford, who didn't issue a walk and departed with one out in the fifth. Texas erased the 2-0 deficit later that inning, taking Bradford off the hook for the loss. Bradford has made nine appearances (eight starts) this season and owns a 4.19 ERA with a 21:10 K:BB in 43 innings.

Pecko allowed three runs on four hits and two walks while striking out two over 2.2 innings in a no-decision versus the Mariners on Wednesday.

Pecko worked well as a bulk reliever in his two last appearances, but a return to a starting role didn't go so well. This was his shortest of seven outings (five starts) in the majors. He ends the regular season at a 4.31 ERA, 1.21 WHIP and 21:14 K:BB through 31.1 innings. It's unclear if Pecko has done enough to earn a spot on a postseason roster should the Astros make the playoffs, but he'd likely function as a reliever if that happens.