MLB Player News

Skenes did not factor into the decision Thursday, allowing one run on three hits and two walks over 6.1 innings against the Cardinals. He struck out eight.

After surrendering five runs during his previous start against Kansas City, Skenes bounced back Thursday in his final outing of the campaign. The right-hander surrendered a first-inning homer to Alec Burleson but locked in from there, allowing just four more baserunners to reach. His strikeout of Leo Bernal to begin the seventh inning was his 200th of the season and signaled an end to his afternoon at 96 pitches. Skenes closes out an up-and-down campaign with a 10-11 record and a 3.82 ERA and 1.12 WHIP across 174.1 innings covering 32 starts.

Atlanta placed Perez on the 15-day injured list Thursday with lower-back inflammation, Jesus Cano of The Athletic reports.

Perez battled control issues during his last start Sunday against Houston, and his back injury may help to explain his struggles. His move to the injured list will rule him out through the beginning of the NLDS, and he'll close the book on the regular season with a 3.04 ERA and 1.27 WHIP alongside a 102:62 K:BB over 142 innings.

Luzardo (shoulder) threw a successful 30-pitch bullpen session Thursday, Matt Gelb of The Athletic reports.

Luzardo is barely over a week removed from being placed on the 15-day injured list with left shoulder inflammation, but he's bounced back quickly from the injury. The left-hander could face hitters this weekend and remains in play to be included on the Phillies' National League Wild Card Series roster, either as a starter or reliever. Luzardo went 14-5 with a 2.87 ERA and 221:52 K:BB over 178.2 innings covering 29 regular-season starts in 2026.

The Giants transferred Tidwell (elbow) to the 60-day injured list Thursday.

Tidwell is likely to require Tommy John surgery after suffering a high-grade UCL sprain during his last outing Monday, so the Giants will stash him away on the 60-day IL for the rest of the season. His 40-man roster spot will go to Camilo Doval, who was claimed off waivers from Pittsburgh on Thursday.

Cubs manager Craig Counsell said Thursday that the team doesn't plan to activate Steele (elbow) from the 60-day injured list this weekend, Patrick Mooney of The Athletic reports.

Steele began a rehab assignment with Triple-A Iowa earlier this month and has allowed six runs (four earned) with an 11:1 K:BB over 7.2 innings covering four appearances. The left-hander is available to pitch for the Cubs, if needed, but the team has decided there's currently not room for him on the active roster. Steele has been sidelined all season, first as he continued his recovery from UCL revision surgery and later due to a flexor strain.

Marlins manager Clayton McCullough said Thursday that Alcantara will not make a start this weekend against Atlanta, Stephen Strom of Marlins Radio Network reports.

Alcantara had been penciled in to take the ball Saturday in the Marlins' final regular-season series, but the club has decided against having the righty make another start. The right-hander has notched two saves over the past week, as the Marlins have used him in relief on his throw days, and Alcantara will be available out of the bullpen this weekend. Alcantara has logged a league-high 213 innings this season and tied a career high with 33 starts.

Gausman said Thursday that his left shoulder remains sore and he's uncertain when he will be available to pitch, Bruce Levine of 670TheScore.com reports.

Gausman injured his left (non-throwing) shoulder during Wednesday's start against the Marlins when his arm was extended awkwardly as he dove to tag a runner out. He will have five days of rest before Game 1 of the National League Wild Card Series, and he could be the Cubs' choice to start that day if he's physically able. More should be known about Gausman's health status by this weekend.

Harrison struck out a batter and gave up a run on three hits and no walks over an inning of relief in Tuesday's 6-4 loss to the Phillies.

After giving up five runs (four earned) while failing to escape the second inning in a start versus the Pirates last Thursday, Harrison has made his last two appearances out of the bullpen. Harrison retired just one of the three batters he faced in a relief outing against the Orioles over the weekend, and his struggles continued during Tuesday's appearance. The southpaw had been pitching at an All-Star level during the first half of the season, but he's completely unraveled since returning to action Aug. 5 following a four-week stint on the injured list. Over his 10 appearances (seven starts) since being activated, Harrison owns a 7.80 ERA and 2.20 WHIP across 30 innings. Harrison's string of poor performances could put him at risk of being left off the Brewers' postseason roster.

McLean earned the win Wednesday against the Rangers after allowing two runs on three hits and a walk while striking out five over seven innings.

McLean allowed just one hit in the first four innings before the Rangers scored twice in the fifth. However, McLean responded by retiring Texas in order in both the sixth and seventh, keeping the game level until Marcus Semien's go-ahead homer in the eighth. The 2026 season was a disaster for the Mets, and while McLean also endured some struggles here and there, he ended the year on a strong note. He allowed two or fewer runs in seven of his final eight starts, posting a 2.20 ERA with a 38:22 K:BB across 49 innings over that span. On the season, McLean went 12-10 with a 3.16 ERA and 1.17 WHIP across 31 starts and 179.2 frames.

Adams (0-2) took the loss after allowing four unearned runs on five hits while striking out eight over six innings in Wednesday's 5-3 loss to the Diamondbacks.

Adams' final line was heavily influenced by Zac Veen's first-inning error, as Arizona capitalized with four unearned runs before the right-hander settled into an impressive rhythm. He retired 13 consecutive batters after Corbin Carroll's two-run triple in the first inning and didn't issue a walk over six innings, marking the first time this season he didn't issue a free pass. The eight strikeouts were a season-high output for Adams, who ends the season on a decent note despite the loss. In six starts in 2026, he went 0-2 with a 4.03 ERA, 1.48 WHIP and 31:12 K:BB across 29 innings.