MLB Player News

Cease (7-9) took the loss Friday, allowing one run on four hits and two walks over five innings against the Padres. He struck out seven.

Cease was highly effective but far from efficient in needing 104 pitches to complete five frames. The only run he allowed came in the fifth, when Matthew Batten struck out but advanced all the way to second base on a wild pitch. He then took third on another wild pitch before being driven in by a Xander Bogaerts sac fly. While Cease's season total of 214 strikeouts is elite, the 27-year-old has struggled to a 4.58 ERA and 1.42 WHIP in 177 innings. He finished strong with a 1.93 ERA, 1.01 WHIP and 31 strikeouts across 23.1 innings over his final four starts, however.

Waldichuk (4-9) allowed five runs (four earned) on seven hits and three walks over five innings Friday, striking out three and taking a loss against the Angels.

Waldichuk tossed three scoreless frames before the Angels plated three runs in the fourth inning. It was just the second time in his last 10 outings he'd given up more than two earned runs. During that stretch, Waldichuk produced a 3.42 ERA and a 43:17 K:BB. He'll end the 2023 season with a 5.36 ERA and 132 punchouts over 141 frames.

The Rangers recalled Latz from Triple-A Round Rock on Friday.

Latz will give Texas a fresh bullpen arm leading into the final weekend of the regular season. He's thrown 4.1 scoreless innings over two major-league appearances this year.

The Rangers placed Gray on the 15-day injured list Friday, retroactive to Sept. 28, with right lower forearm tightness.

Gray made an early exit from his last start Monday against the Angels due to right wrist/forearm tightness and can now be ruled out for the remainder of the regular season. He could potentially return in the postseason if the Rangers are able to stage a deep run. The 31-year-old right-hander finishes with a 9-8 record, 4.12 ERA, 1.29 WHIP and 142:54 K:BB in 29 starts covering 157.1 innings.

France was scratched from his start Friday versus the Diamondbacks due to a family emergency.

Jose Urquidy will get the start instead as the Astros open their final series of the regular season. Entering play Friday, they sit two games back of the Rangers for first place in the AL West and one game up on the Mariners for the third AL wild-card spot.

Urquidy will start Friday's game at Chase Field in Arizona, Chandler Rome of The Athletic reports.

J.P. France has been scratched from the start due to a family emergency, so Urquidy gets the call for what will be his first start since Aug. 23. The 28-year-old right-hander has allowed 11 earned runs over his last 14.1 innings while working in long relief.

France was scratched from his start Friday against the Diamondbacks for undisclosed reasons, Chandler Rome of The Athletic reports.

Given their position in the American League West and wild-card standings, Friday's game is pretty close to a must-win game for the Astros, so France must be dealing with some kind of physical issue. Look for an update on France's status to arrive later Friday. Jose Urquidy will pick up his first start since Aug. 23 in place of France.

The Tigers optioned Gipson-Long to Triple-A Toledo on Friday, Chris McCosky of The Detroit News reports.

Gipson-Long wrapped up his season with a no-decision Thursday against the Royals, yielding three runs -- two earned -- on four hits and two walks over five innings. The 25-year-old right-hander delivered an encouraging 2.70 ERA and 26:8 K:BB across his first four major-league starts (20 innings) this year for Detroit.

Wentz is slated to start Friday's game against the Guardians at Comerica Park.

Since being called up from Triple-A Toledo on Aug. 30, Wentz has mostly worked in the rotation, though his two most recent appearances came as a bulk reliever. He'll move into a traditional starting role Friday, hoping to close the season on a high note as he stakes his claim to a more permanent spot in the rotation in 2024. Over 103.1 innings with the big club this season, Wentz has gone 3-12 with a 6.45 ERA, 1.62 WHIP and 96:44 K:BB.

Skubal struck out eight over four scoreless innings but didn't factor into the decision in Wednesday's 8-0 win over the Royals. He gave up two hits and no walks in the 52-pitch start.

Because the game was suspended after four innings Wednesday due to rain, Skubal's final start of 2023 was cut short, and his statistics weren't made official until the two teams completed the game Thursday. Given the abbreviated start, Skubal could be available in relief if needed Saturday or Sunday versus the Guardians, though the Tigers will presumably stay away from him for the final two games of the season if they can help it. After a spate of rocky outings upon his return from flexor tendon surgery in early July, Skubal was the Tigers' most dominant pitcher over the final two months of the season. Over his last 10 outings, Skubal went 6-2 with a 2.15 ERA, 0.87 WHIP and 75:11 K:BB across 58.2 innings.