MLB Player News

Messick will be the Guardians' starter for Sunday's regular-season finale against the Royals, Tim Stebbins of MLB.com reports.

The Guardians secured the AL Central division Saturday -- and the No. 2 seed in the AL playoffs -- following their win over Kansas City and the White Sox's loss to the Rockies. Still, the Guardians will have Messick toe the rubber Sunday, though it will likely be an abbreviated outing for the 25-year-old southpaw.

Anderson was removed from Saturday's start against the Angels due to a left elbow injury, Daniel Kramer of MLB.com reports.

Anderson took a 103.8 mph comebacker from Christian Moore in the fourth inning, and the former was promptly removed from the game after talking with trainers. Kramer notes that Anderson has stayed in the dugout rather than going to the clubhouse for further evaluation, so the move to remove the 22-year-old southpaw appears to have been a precautionary decision, especially with the Mariners eliminated from playoff contention. Michael Rucker was brought out from the bullpen following Anderson's exit.

Martin (9-8) took the loss against the Rockies on Saturday, allowing two runs on three hits and one walk while striking out one batter in two-thirds of an inning.

It wasn't the start that the White Sox were hoping out of Martin, as the team saw its hopes of winning the AL Central snuffed out with Saturday's loss combined with the Guardians' 11-5 win over the Royals. Martin allowed four batters on base while tossing only 25 pitches before being pulled, though James Fegan of the Chicago Sun-Times notes that the right-hander's previous start against the Tigers this past Sunday was cut short due to right calf discomfort. That's worth monitoring heading into the playoffs, and a potential calf issue could limit or even prevent Martin from pitching in the wild-card round. He'll end the 2026 regular season with a 3.95 ERA, 1.32 WHIP and a 122:46 K:BB over 146 innings, with both his strikeouts and innings pitched being career highs.

Wacha (9-10) took the loss against the Guardians on Saturday, allowing six runs (two earned) on six hits and one walk with four strikeouts over 6.1 innings.

Wacha was spotted an early lead but instantly coughed it up, allowing four runs in the second inning following a leadoff error. The veteran hurler still posted a quality start for the third time in five September outings, finishing the season having tallied five or more innings in 31 of 32 starts. Overall, he'll wrap up the campaign with a 3.32 ERA, 1.11 WHIP and 158:54 K:BB while surpassing 200 frames for the first time in his 14-year career.

Bibee (7-15) earned the win in Saturday's 11-5 win over the Royals, allowing three runs on seven hits and one walk with six strikeouts over six innings.

Bibee allowed three runs in the first inning but blanked the Royals from there, throwing 61 of 94 pitches for strikes with 13 whiffs. The performance lowered the 27-year-old's September ERA to a still-bloated 7.36 mark, and it was an encouraging effort as the Guardians prepare for the postseason. He'll finish the regular season with a 4.36 ERA, 1.22 WHIP and 148:55 K:BB across a career-high 188 innings.

Eovaldi took a no-decision Saturday against the Twins, striking out three while allowing one run on four hits and two walks in 4.1 innings.

Eovaldi made his first start since returning from the injured list in mid-September, ending the season on a positive note. The veteran right-hander has one more year left on his deal with the Rangers, and he figures to rejoin the rotation in 2027 following a disappointing campaign. After recording a career-best 1.73 ERA and 0.85 WHIP in 2025, Eovaldi worked to a 4.20 ERA, 1.22 WHIP and 144:35 K:BB over 145.2 innings in 2026.

Gore is scheduled to start in Sunday's regular-season finale against the Twins.

Gore will toe the rubber for Sunday's regular-season finale as the Rangers look to outlast the Astros for the AL West division crown to secure a spot in the playoffs. The 27-year-old southpaw made his last appearance Tuesday in a no-decision against the Mets, and Gore has a 4.59 ERA and 1.34 WHIP across a career-high 170.2 innings this season.

Ober (7-7) took the loss Saturday against Texas, striking out five while allowing six runs on 10 hits and one walk in five innings.

Most of the damage came in the second inning, when the Rangers plated four runs. Ober opened the season as part of the Minnesota rotation but may have to battle for a starting role next year -- he posted just two quality starts in 13 outings after coming off the injured list in early July. He'll finish the campaign with a 4.47 ERA, 1.30 WHIP and 96:37 K:BB over 131 innings.

Jax was removed from Saturday's start against the Phillies due to a lower-back contusion, Marc Topkin of the Tampa Bay Times reports.

Jax took a 104 mph comebacker off the bat of Trea Turner in the third inning, which ended up being a groundout for the Phillies shortstop to end the inning. Steven Matz took the mound for the Rays in the fourth, but it could have been a precautionary decision to remove Jax from the game, seeing as Tampa Bay is locked in as the top seed for the American League playoffs. His status will be worth monitoring over the coming days leading up to the ALDS opener Oct. 3.

Verlander didn't factor into the decision in Saturday's 4-3 win over the Pirates, allowing two runs on five hits and a walk over 5.1 innings. He struck out six.

In his first start since March 30, and the final outing of his Hall of Fame career, the 43-year-old Verlander showed he still had something left in the tank. He did serve up solo shots to Brandon Lowe and Jacob Gonzalez and left the mound in line for a loss, but the Tigers made sure that didn't happen by rallying in the ninth inning, as Eduardo Valencia walked it off with a homer. When Verlander did get lifted after 91 pitches (57 strikes), it was his daughter who came to the mound instead of manager A.J. Hinch to collect him and lead him into retirement. Verlander finishes his career with 3,560 strikeouts, eighth all time in MLB history.