MLB Player News

Wentz (3-12) took the loss Saturday in Oakland, allowing two runs on three hits over 5.2 innings. He struck out five without issuing any walks.

The 25-year-old was deployed in a bulk-relief role, entering in the second frame after Miguel Diaz fired 1.1 scoreless innings operating as the team's opener. In Wentz's longest outing since June 17, he allowed just three hits, but one happened to be a two-run homer that gave Oakland the lead and saddled the southpaw with his 12th loss of the campaign. Control has been an issue all season, as he had a 4.1 BB/9 across 97.2 innings prior to Saturday, when Wentz avoided handing out any free passes for just the second time all season. It remains to be seen what role he fulfills in the final week of the campaign.

Means (1-1) earned the win over Cleveland on Saturday, allowing one run on one hit and one walk while striking out four batters over 7.1 innings.

Means was outstanding Saturday, holding the Guardians hitless until Andres Gimenez tagged him for a solo homer with two outs in the seventh. The left-handed hurler otherwise put just two runners on base (on a walk and a hit-by-pitch), needing just 96 pitches to cover 7.1 frames. This was Means' third start after spending the majority of the season on the injured list. He's been good since his return, posting a 2.60 ERA, 0.81 WHIP and 6:4 K:BB over 17.1 innings. Means appears to already be built up enough to have no restrictions as a rotation option for the postseason.

Boyle (1-0) earned the win Saturday, allowing one run on five hits and one walk over six innings in a 4-1 victory over the Tigers. He struck out five.

Boyle was once again impressive in his second major-league start, scattering five hits and allowing just one unearned run en route to the first quality start and win of his young career. The 24-year-old righty has yet to surrender an earned run across his first two outings, yielding just six hits and three walks while striking out nine across nine innings. Boyle currently lines up to face the Angels on the road in the final series of the regular season next week.

France (11-6) allowed three runs (two earned) on seven hits and a walk while striking out five over five innings to take the loss Saturday against the Royals.

France didn't receive any run support while he was in the game, and the Astros' comeback effort fell short in the late innings. With 26 runs allowed (25 earned) over his last 28.1 innings, it appears France has worn down late in the season. He's still at a respectable 3.83 ERA despite a 1.36 WHIP and 101:47 K:BB through 136.1 innings this year. His last start of the regular season is lined up to be a road outing in Arizona, but it's tough to envision him being part of a potential postseason rotation if the Astros are playing in October.

Lyles (5-17) allowed two hits and two walks while striking out three over five scoreless innings to earn the win Saturday over the Astros.

Lyles was defeated by the Astros in his last start, but he was able to put together his second scoreless outing of the season in Saturday's game. The veteran right-hander has had a tough season, posting a 6.24 ERA, 1.26 WHIP and 116:44 K:BB through 171.2 innings over 30 starts this year. He's allowed 16 runs across 29.1 innings in September, a modest improvement on his season numbers. He's tentatively lined up to make his last start of the campaign at home versus the Yankees next week.

Marsh will work as the bulk pitcher Sunday against the Astros, Jaylon T. Thompson of The Kansas City Star reports.

Marsh is expected to at some point follow opener Steven Cruz in the Royals' series finale versus Houston. Marsh, 25, carries a 5.71 ERA, 1.58 WHIP and 73:34 K:BB through his first 64.2 major-league innings this season.

Cease did not factor into the decision Saturday, allowing six hits over seven scoreless innings against the Red Sox. He struck out 11 without issuing any free passes.

Cease was masterful during Saturday's rain-soaked contest in Boston, but he didn't receive any run support and had to settle for a no-decision. The 27-year-old avoided issuing any walks for the first time in 13 second-half starts and notched his first double-digit strikeout effort since June 26. Despite a disappointing campaign for last year's AL Cy Young runner-up, Cease has now amassed 200-plus strikeouts for the third consecutive season, joining the ranks of Chris Sale (2013-2016) and Ed Walsh (1910-1912) as the only White Sox pitchers to achieve the feat. Cease is tentatively projected to face the Padres at home in the club's final regular-season series next week.

Montas (shoulder) threw two scoreless innings with two strikeouts in his second rehab start Saturday with Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre, Conor Foley of The Scranton Times-Tribune reports.

Montas yielded just one hit and issued no walks in the 25-pitch outing while touching 95.2 mph with his fastball. The 30-year-old right-hander has been sidelined all season following February arthroscopic shoulder surgery, but he could potentially join the Yankees in the final week of the 2023 campaign for a relief appearance or abbreviated start. Montas is set to become a free agent this winter.

The Angels placed Anderson on the 15-day injured list Saturday with knee soreness, Erica Weston of Bally Sports West reports.

Anderson already had a start postponed due to his sore knee, and now he will simply be shut down for the rest of the season as he continues to recover. No replacement starter has been named yet for Sunday's game against Minnesota. Anderson will finish the season with a 5.43 ERA and 1.49 WHIP through 141 innings after joining the Halos on a three-year, $40 million contract last offseason.

The Guardians placed Allen on the 15-day injured list Saturday with left shoulder inflammation, Mandy Bell of MLB.com reports.

Allen's trip to the injured list will put an early end to his rookie campaign. He'll finish the season with a 3.81 ERA and 1.40 WHIP alongside 119 strikeouts across 125.1 innings. Michael Kelly was recalled from Triple-A Columbus in a corresponding move.