MLB Player News

Skubal will start Game 1 of the wild-card series against the Astros on Tuesday, Jon Morosi of MLB Network reports.

Skubal will square off against fellow southpaw Framber Valdez. The left-hander is the likely American League Cy Young winner after going 18-4 with a 2.39 ERA, 0.92 WHIP and 228:35 K:BB across 192 frames.

Ragans will start Game 1 of the wild-card series against the Orioles on Tuesday, Anne Rogers of MLB.com reports.

Ragans -- who will be opposed by Corbin Burnes -- earns the Royals' first playoff game start since 2015 after collecting a 3.14 ERA, 1.14 WHIP and 223:67 K:BB over 186.1 innings covering 32 starts. The Royals will go with Seth Lugo in Game 2 and Michael Wacha in Game 3, if there is one.

The Blue Jays optioned Rodriguez to their Florida Complex League affiliate Sunday.

Rodriguez had started Saturday's game, so the Blue Jays used his roster spot for some bullpen protection in Sunday's finale. The right-hander will be in the mix for a rotation spot in 2025 after posting a 4.47 ERA, 1.32 WHIP and 85:40 K:BB across 86.2 innings in his first year with Toronto.

Kochanowicz (2-6) yielded three runs on six hits and a walk over seven innings Sunday, striking out one and taking a loss against Texas.

Kochanowicz gave up just one run through six frames before the Rangers tallied a pair in the seventh inning. He closed his season with three straight seven-inning performances, earning a quality start in each. Kochanowicz posted a solid 3.99 ERA through 65.1 innings as a rookie, but his 25:10 K:BB didn't provide much fantasy upside. He posted a 2.77 ERA over his last nine starts of the year.

Eovaldi (12-8) allowed four hits and a walk over seven scoreless innings Sunday, striking out five and earning a win over the Angels.

Eovaldi escaped a bases-loaded jam in the first inning but didn't face much danger otherwise. He had been tagged for 14 runs over 16.2 innings in his previous three outings before closing out his 2024 season with a terrific outing Sunday. It was the fourth time this season he threw at least seven innings without allowing a run. Eovaldi finishes the season with a 3.80 ERA and a 166:42 K:BB through 170.2 innings. He's finished each of the last five seasons with an ERA between 3.63 and 3.87.

Marsh (9-9) picked up the win Sunday against Atlanta, allowing two runs (one earned) on five hits and no walks across five innings. He struck out two.

Marsh stepped into a starting role for the Royals' regular-season finale and came away with the victory. The right-hander yielded a homer to Gio Urshela in the third inning but was otherwise excellent. Marsh finishes the 2024 regular season with a 4.53 ERA and a 123:39 K:BB across 129 innings. He's expected to move back to the bullpen for postseason play.

Maeda (3-7) took the loss Sunday, allowing five runs on five hits and one walk over 4.2 innings against the White Sox. He struck out five.

Maeda, who also hit a batter, struggled in his first start since early July, allowing five runs including a three-run homer by Lenyn Sosa. Maeda finished the regular season with 17 starts among 29 appearances, posting a career-worst 6.09 ERA and 1.38 WHIP, though he compiled a 3.86 ERA, 1.07 WHIP and 8.8 K/9 through 42 innings out of the bullpen. As the Tigers prepare for a wild-card matchup with the Astros, Maeda will revert back to a relief role.

Cannon (5-10) earned the win Sunday, allowing four runs on four hits and three walks over five innings against the Tigers. He struck out three.

Cannon was staked with a rare 5-0 lead and carried it into the fifth inning. but three walks led to a grand slam by Kerry Carpenter that spoiled the righty's final line. Despite the disappointing end to his outing, the 24-year-old finished his first big-league campaign having made 21 starts among 23 appearances while posting a 4.49 ERA and 1.33 WHIP with 91 strikeouts across 124.1 innings.

Ober (12-9) was saddled with the loss Sunday, allowing three runs on five hits over five innings against the Orioles. He struck out four.

Ober held the Orioles off the board through four innings but yielded a three-run blast to James McCann with one out in the fifth that erased a two-run lead. Ober ended the season on a sour note, losing three of his last four starts while compiling a 5.32 ERA over 23.2 innings. However, the righty finished the 2024 campaign with 12 wins and 191 strikeouts over 178.2 innings, and he was fifth in the majors with a 1.00 WHIP -- making his 3.98 ERA feel a bit unlucky.

Suarez (9-7) earned the win Sunday, allowing two runs on four hits and one walk over six innings against the Twins. He struck out four.

Suarez closed out the 2024 regular season with a quality start, allowing a couple of solo homers but limiting the Twins to just three additional baserunners. It was a nice bounce-back effort for Suarez, who had allowed eight earned runs over his previous two starts spanning 8.2 innings. After having allowed just eight home runs through his first 27 appearances (109 innings) this year, Suarez has been tagged for nine long balls over his last five starts and 24.2 innings. The propensity for giving up the long ball will be a concern as the Orioles set their postseason pitching staff.