MLB Player News

Manager David Ross said Wednesday that he expects Smyly (shoulder) to make another start prior to the end of the regular season, Jordan Bastian of MLB.com reports.

Smyly was scratched from last Wednesday's start due to shoulder fatigue but threw a bullpen session Tuesday. While Ross didn't indicate which day Smyly will return to game action, the southpaw should have another chance to take the mound for the Cubs over the final week of the regular season.

Manager David Ross said Wednesday that Steele (back) isn't expected to be reinstated from the injured list prior to the end of the regular season, Meghan Montemurro of the Chicago Tribune reports.

Steele threw a successful bullpen session Tuesday and is expected to throw another high-intensity session soon. While the left-hander might have been in the mix for a late-season return if the Cubs were in playoff contention, the team will elect not to rush him back for a short appearance prior to the end of the regular season. Steele had a career-best season in 2022, posting a 3.18 ERA and 1.35 WHIP in 119 innings over 24 starts, and he should be able to have a fairly normal offseason program now that he's ramping up his workload.

The Brewers placed Houser (groin) on the 15-day injured list Wednesday.

As expected, the right groin strain that Houser suffered in his start Tuesday will result in him missing the rest of the regular season. Unless the Brewers are able to poach a wild-card spot from either the Phillies or Padres and then advance to the divisional round, Houser is unlikely to pitch again in 2022. He's made 21 starts for Milwaukee, pitching to a 6-10 record, 4.73 ERA and 1.46 WHIP over 102.2 innings.

Burrows (shoulder) was reinstated from the 7-day injured list at Triple-A Indianapolis on Wednesday, Justice delos Santos of MLB.com reports.

Burrows hasn't pitched in a game in a month, and it's not yet clear whether he'll pitch in Wednesday's regular-season finale at Indianapolis. Regardless of whether he takes the mound Wednesday, it appears as though he's moved past his shoulder injury ahead of the offseason.

Carrasco (15-7) took the loss Tuesday as the Mets fell 6-4 to the Marlins, giving up four runs on six hits and a walk over three innings. He struck out two.

The veteran right-hander didn't have his best stuff, and with the Mets now in a dogfight for the NL East title with Atlanta, manager Buck Showalter gave Carrasco the hook after 67 pitches (41 strikes). He's now failed to go past four innings in either of his last two starts, and fatigue could well be a factor for the 35-year-old -- he hadn't thrown more than 85 innings across all levels in a season since 2018, but Carrasco's now up to 148 IP in 2022. He's scheduled to make one more start in the final series of the season next week against the Nationals.

Lopez (10-10) picked up the win Tuesday, giving up three runs on five hits over six innings in a 6-4 victory over the Mets. He struck out five without walking a batter.

The right-hander extended his quality start streak to three while reaching double-digit wins for the first time in his major-league career. It was a much better performance from Lopez than the last time he faced the Mets (eight runs in 3.2 innings Sept, 10). Even factoring that outing in, he's having a solid finish to the season, posting a 4.15 ERA, 1.23 WHIP and 36:10 K:BB through 39 innings over his last seven starts.

Pepiot, who was returned to Triple-A Oklahoma City on Sept. 21, struck out two over a one-inning start for the affiliate Sunday.

Between the majors and Triple-A, Pepiot is up to 127.2 innings in 2022, so the Dodgers could choose to be conservative with the 25-year-old's usage over the final days of the regular season. Pepiot most recently made a spot start for the Dodgers on Sept. 20, but with Tony Gonsolin (forearm) trending toward a return from the 15-day injured list as soon as Sunday, the rookie may not make his way back to the big club this season.

Muller was optioned to Triple-A Gwinnett on Wednesday.

The southpaw was productive during Tuesday's start in Washington, allowing two runs on six hits and a walk while striking out four in 4.2 innings. However, he'll head back to the minors as part of a move to make room for Silvino Bracho on the active roster. Muller spent most of the 2022 season at Gwinnett and posted a 3.41 ERA and 1.18 WHIP in 134.2 innings over 23 starts.

Ynoa (elbow) was recalled and placed on the 60-day injured list Wednesday.

Ynoa has been in the minors since August, but he underwent Tommy John surgery in early September. He'll likely miss the entire 2023 campaign, and Wednesday's transaction is simply procedural to make room on the 40-man roster.

Anderson registered a no-decision during Tuesday's 4-3 extra-inning loss to San Diego, allowing two runs on three hits while striking out three in six innings.

Anderson permitted all the damage in the first inning, allowing both runs on a two-out Wil Myers single before retiring the next 16 Padres. The 32-year-old tossed an efficient 52 of 71 pitches for strikes with five of the swinging variety in extending his streak of surrendering three runs or fewer to nine starts. Across those nine turns, Anderson has pitched to a 1.85 ERA with 34 strikeouts in 58.1 innings. His 2.54 ERA and 1.00 WHIP both rank ninth in MLB and he'll look to wrap up a breakout campaign with one last start, currently set to come Sunday against the Rockies.