MLB Player News

Martin allowed two runs on three hits and five walks while striking out four batters over 3.2 innings in a no-decision against the Angels on Wednesday.

Martin walked three batters in the first inning but escaped without allowing run. His lack of control caught up with him in the fourth, however, as he allowed a two-out walk followed by a hit-by-pitch and an infield single to load the bases and force his exit. Martin was then charged with two runs when Michael Soroka came on in relief and allowed a two-run single to Taylor Ward. It was the second time in his final three starts that Martin was unable to complete four frames, and he gave up 10 runs across 11.2 innings during that stretch.

Littell (8-10) took the loss Wednesday against Detroit, allowing three earned runs on seven hits and zero walks while striking out seven in 4.2 innings.

Entering Wednesday's action on an 18-inning scoreless streak, Littell immediately served up a leadoff home run to Parker Meadows in the first. Littell was able to settle in afterwards, but the Rays' offense only mustered one run of support in the 7-1 defeat. After starting 18 games over the first six years of his career, Littell started 29 contests for the Rays in 2024, posting a respectable 3.63 ERA, 1.25 WHIP and 141:31 K:BB in 156.1 innings (29 starts).

Montero allowed one run on four hits and two walks across 2.2 innings and did not factor into the decision Wednesday against the Rays. He struck out two.

Montero started the game and managed to limit the damage, but he allowed too many baserunners and got lifted after only tossing 55 pitches. The Tigers then turned to Sean Guenther, who was much more effective, as he posted two perfect innings with three strikeouts to earn the win. Montero has had some nice moments during his rookie season, though the Tigers didn't take any chances extending the youngster Wednesday as they claw toward a playoff spot. The righty is not slated to start again during the regular season but could be used in relief over the weekend if a need arises. If this is it for Montero in 2024, he'll finish the year with a 4.81 ERA, 1.32 WHIP and 75 strikeouts across 95.1 innings.

Lorenzen left his start against Washington on Wednesday as a precaution due to lower-body fatigue.

Lorenzen was activated off the injured list earlier Wednesday after missing the past month with a hamstring strain, so the Royals likely didn't want to push it once he reported discomfort on the mound in the third inning. The 32-year-old's abbreviated outing will presumably mark the end of his regular season, leaving him with a 3.37 ERA and 1.25 WHIP alongside a 94:60 K:BB across 25 appearances (24 starts), and he'll now look to prepare for the Royals' postseason run.

Lorenzen was removed from Wednesday's game against the Nationals due to an apparent injury, Anne Rogers of MLB.com reports.

Lorenzen was able to get through 2.1 innings in his first start back from the injured list before motioning for a trainer to come take a look at him. The Royals haven't yet specified what was bothering the right-hander enough for him to ask out of the game, though it may be related to the hamstring injury that kept him sidelined for nearly a month prior to Wednesday's outing.

Kikuchi (9-10) took the loss Wednesday against Seattle, allowing two unearned on four hits and one walk while striking out eight in six innings.

Kikuchi was excellent Wednesday, shutting out the Mariners through five innings before an unfortunate error in the sixth resulted in two unearned runs crossing the plate, giving Kikuchi his first loss since he was acquired by the Astros in late July. The 33-year-old veteran has been a revelation since coming over from Toronto at the All-Star break, posting a 5-1 record with an elite 2.70 ERA, 0.93 WHIP and 76:14 K:BB in 60 innings (10 starts). The southpaw will close out the regular season with a 4.05 ERA, 1.20 WHIP and a career-best 206 strikeouts in 175.2 innings (32 starts).

Cortes (elbow) said he's hopeful to return from the 15-day injured list at some point late in the postseason if the Yankees make a deep run, Bryan Hoch of MLB.com reports.

Cortes had been scheduled to start Wednesday against the Orioles, but he was scratched from the outing due to an elbow issue and was sent in for an MRI. He was diagnosed with a left elbow flexor strain and subsequently placed on the IL, making him ineligible to rejoin the Yankees until at least the ALCS. Cortes noted that he will be shut down for the next 7-to-10 days after getting a platelet-rich plasma injection for his elbow while also seeking at least two other doctors for further opinions on a treatment plan. On a positive note, Cortes told Jorge Castillo of ESPN.com that his UCL remains intact, so the lefty appears likely to avoid surgery and will hope to make a full recovery through rest and rehab.

Orioles manager Brandon Hyde announced Wednesday that Rodriguez (lat) has been shut down and won't pitch again this season, Roch Kubatko of MASNSports.com reports.

The 24-year-old hasn't suffered any sort of setback with the lat strain he sustained in early August, but he apparently hadn't progressed enough to be a potential factor during the playoffs. Rodriguez will focus his rehab efforts on getting ready for 2025 after finishing this season with a 3.86 ERA, 1.24 WHIP and 130:36 K:BB across 116.2 innings.

Kirby (14-11) hurled six innings of one-run ball to pick up the win Wednesday against Houston, allowing four hits and one walk while striking out six.

Kirby was shaky to start this one, plunking Jeremy Pena and issuing a rare base on balls in the opening frame. Kirby settled in shortly thereafter, cruising through six innings to pick up his third consecutive quality start and his 20th overall. Kirby showcased his historic control yet again this season, leading MLB with a 7.9 K/BB and a microscopic 1.1 BB/9. The 26-year-old will end the regular season with a 3.53 ERA, 1.07 WHIP and 179:23 K:BB in 191 innings (33 starts). The right-hander's combination of pinpoint control and durability makes him one of the most reliable pitchers in fantasy, although his modest strikeout totals cap his ceiling.

Rays manager Kevin Cash said that McClanahan (elbow) touched 94-to-95 mph in a 16-pitch live batting practice session Wednesday at Tropicana Field, Tricia Whitaker of Bally Sports Sun reports.

Cash added that McClanahan -- who is coming back from August 2023 Tommy John surgery -- is "mentally ready to go" and "excited about a normal offseason." The left-hander is expected to be ready for spring training and next year's Opening Day, although he is expected to have workload restrictions in place after missing the entirety of the 2024 campaign.