MLB Player News

Bundy (shoulder) had a recent simulated game in Chicago cut short and, per manager Joe Maddon, is unlikely to pitch again this season, Rhett Bollinger of MLB.com reports.

Bundy recently stated that he intended to return to the big club before the end of the campaign, but he couldn't complete a scheduled three-inning simulated game due to discomfort and is now almost certain to be shut down for the remainder of the season. After breaking out with a career-best campaign in 2020, the right-hander has suffered through a miserable 2021 season, posting his worst ERA (6.06) as a big leaguer while registering a 2-9 record. Bundy will be a free agent in the offseason, and his struggles this year -- along with the shoulder injury -- have likely lowered his attractiveness to big-league clubs considerably.

Irvin (10-13) picked up the win in a victory over the Angels on Friday, allowing four runs (one earned) on seven hits and a walk over six innings. He struck out three.

Irvin got his 18 outs on an efficient 89 pitches and lowered his ERA back under 4.00 -- to 3.94 -- in the process. The left-hander did stumble in a tough matchup versus the Blue Jays three starts ago on the road, but he has otherwise allowed three earned runs or fewer in eight other trips to the mound dating back to July 31.

Flexen (12-6) secured the victory in a win over the Royals on Friday, allowing an earned run on six hits and two walks over 5.2 innings. He struck out three in the game.

The right-hander bounced back nicely after a rough outing versus the Diamondbacks his last time out, coaxing his ERA back down to 3.66. Flexen also encouragingly stayed away from the long ball after allowing his 15th and 16th home runs of the season in his previous two starts, and all six hits he surrendered were singles. The 27-year-old will look to extend what has been a strong stretch of pitching since early August -- save for the aforementioned stumble against Arizona -- when he takes the mound next week.

Bielak pitched 2.2 scoreless innings against Arizona on Friday, allowing three hits and two walks while striking out six. He did not factor in the decision.

The right-handed reliever was called into action for a spot start after Framber Valdez (finger) was scratched Thursday. Bielak performed well enough in his first start of the campaign, keeping the Diamondbacks off the scoreboard while racking up six punchouts in just 2.2 frames. He wasn't very efficient -- Bielak needed 55 pitches to retire eight batters -- but none of the hits against him went for extra bases, and he was able to escape a bases-loaded situation in the first inning. He'll likely return to the bullpen but will almost certainly be down a few days given his larger-than-normal workload Friday.

Cease (12-7) allowed four hits and two walks over five scoreless innings Friday, striking out 10 and earning a win over Texas.

Cease put runners in scoring position multiple times but never faced much danger in Friday's dominant win. He's reached double-digit strikeouts in eight of his 30 starts this season, going 7-1 during those appearances. The 25-year-old had just one double-digit strikeout game in his 26 career starts before the 2021 campaign. Cease lowered his ERA to 4.09 with a 212:66 K:BB through 156.1 innings. He's projected to take the mound in Cleveland next week.

Ryu (13-9) allowed five runs on five hits and a walk with two strikeouts in two-plus innings Friday, taking the loss versus Minnesota.

The southpaw ran into trouble in the third inning, and he exited after allowing back-to-back home runs to Jorge Polanco and Josh Donaldson. Ryu has allowed 12 runs in his last 4.1 innings across two starts. He left a Sept. 6 start versus the Yankees with forearm soreness, but he's been able to take his regular turn through the rotation despite the recent ineffectiveness. After the game, Ryu said he felt "physically fine" but added that he hasn't had the best control, Keegan Matheson of MLB.com reports. Ryu takes a 4.34 ERA and 1.21 WHIP into next week's projected start in Tampa Bay.

Mize allowed a run on three hits and a walk over three innings in Friday's loss against the Rays. He struck out three.

Mize coughed up a sacrifice fly to Austin Meadows in the first inning before turning in two scoreless frames. He's gone three or fewer innings in each of his last three appearances as the Tigers are clearly restricting his workload down the stretch. The 24-year-old righty is sporting a 3.64 ERA through 143.1 innings. Mize is projected to face the White Sox at home next week in what's expected to be another short outing.

Kluber (5-3) allowed four hits and two walks while striking out four in six shutout innings to earn the win over Cleveland on Friday. He also hit one batter.

The right-hander worked a full starter's assignment, throwing 61 of 95 pitches in a fairly dominant start. Kluber had struggled a bit in his first three games since returning from a shoulder injury, allowing 11 runs in 11.2 innings in that span, but he was much closer to his best form Friday. The strong start lowered his ERA to 3.68 with a 1.28 WHIP and 76:32 K:BB through 71 innings overall. Kluber lines up for a home start versus his other former team, Texas, next week.

Keller (lat) will be shut down and won't return this season, Alec Lewis of The Athletic reports.

Keller landed on the injured list in late August with a lat strain, and while he has progressed in recent weeks, the Royals have determined there simply isn't sufficient time for him to return this season. The right-hander concludes the campaign with a 5.39 ERA, 1.66 WHIP and 120:64 K:BB across 133.2 innings.

Dunn (shoulder) was sent back to Seattle for an MRI on Friday and will not pitch again this season, Corey Brock of The Athletic reports.

Dunn was working his way back from a shoulder strain that has kept him sidelined since mid-June. He threw just four pitches in a rehab game for Triple-A Tacoma on Thursday before exiting with an apparent setback, the severity of which should become clear following his MRI.