MLB Player News

The Diamondbacks announced Wednesday that Cecconi (elbow) will be one of the organization's seven prospects competing in the upcoming Arizona Fall League.

Cecconi's inclusion on the AFL roster suggests that he's healthy again after his first professional campaign was curtailed in early August by a bout with right elbow soreness. Prior to being shut down, the 22-year-old compiled a 4.12 ERA, 1.24 WHIP and a 63:20 K:BB in 59 innings for High-A Hillsboro.

Manager Dave Roberts said Tuesday that Kershaw (forearm) isn't dealing with any ligament damage, but Kershaw won't be available during the playoffs, Eric Stephen of SBNation.com reports.

It's relatively good news for Kershaw as he's avoided a potential UCL injury, but it's still a tough blow for him and the Dodgers, which will now be without their longtime ace should the team win Wednesday's NL Wild Card Game. The veteran left-hander is poised to become a free agent this offseason for the first time in his career, and it appears he'll have the benefit of entering 2022 ostensibly healthy.

Burnes will start Game 1 of the National League Division Series against Atlanta on Friday, Adam McCalvy of MLB.com reports.

The announcement isn't much of a surprise, as Burnes has been Milwaukee's best starter over the past two seasons and is in the mix for the 2021 NL Cy Young award. The 26-year-old had an 11-5 record and posted a 2.43 ERA, 0.94 WHIP and 234:34 K:BB across 167 innings (28 starts) this season. He also lines up to start Game 5, if necessary, since he's taking the mound in the series opener. Brandon Woodruff will pitch for Milwaukee in Game 2 on Saturday.

Senzatela agreed to a five-year, $50.5 million extension with the Rockies on Tuesday, Jeff Passan of ESPN.com reports.

The deal buys out Senzatela's final two years of team control as well as the first three years of his free agency and includes a club option for a sixth season at $14 million. It looks like a good one for the Rockies, as they'll lock up a pitcher whose 4.84 ERA through his first five major-league seasons is good for a park-adjusted ERA- of 99, indicating he's been almost exactly league-average. His 4.42 ERA this season was nothing special, but both his 3.61 FIP and 4.17 xFIP represented career lows, thanks in part to a career-best 4.8 percent walk rate. The deal is much worse news for those who have Senzatela on their dynasty teams, as his only route out of Coors Field in the next five years will be via trade.

Kim wrapped up the regular season with three straight scoreless relief appearances spanning five innings.

The left-hander also picked up his seventh win of the season in the middle game of that sample, a Sept. 25 victory over the Cubs. Kim pitched exclusively out of the bullpen over his last five appearances, giving up four runs (two earned) over the 2.1 innings covering his first two relief outings in the sample before settling down in the final three. If the Cardinals are able to get past the Dodgers in Wednesday's NL Wild Card Game, Kim should have a strong chance of making it to the NLDS roster considering the considerable flexibility he offers manager Mike Shildt as a long reliever or spot starter.

Strider (1-0) earned the win in relief Sunday against the Mets after tossing 1.1 scoreless innings, walking one.

Strider, who spent most of the season at Double-A Mississippi and posted a 4.71 ERA and 3.32 FIP through 63 innings (14 starts), made his MLB debut earlier this week. He picks up the first big-league win of his career during the regular-season finale piggybacking Charlie Morton's 2.2-inning start. Strider looked quite good, recording four outs and earning the win while also tossing 14 of his 22 pitches for strikes. He is Atlanta's best pitching prospect, so it's possible he could make the postseason roster thanks to an electric arsenal that has played up in relief.

Syndergaard (0-1) took the loss in the season finale Sunday against Atlanta after allowing two runs on three hits across one inning.

Syndergaard allowed a solo shot to Jorge Soler and an RBI single to Austin Riley before departing the game in an outing where he didn't record a single strikeout. It's obviously not the outcome he would've liked, but Syndergaard's biggest goal was to pitch in a live game before the season ended with an eye toward being fully healthy for next year's spring training. Syndergaard made two appearances this season and posted a 9.00 ERA, tossing one inning in each one of those games.

Woodford (3-4) was tagged with the loss Sunday against the Cubs after allowing three runs on six hits and a walk while fanning four across five innings.

Woodford had given up two or fewer runs in each of his previous five outings, but he didn't have his best stuff for the season finale and was tagged for this fourth loss of the campaign. Starting as a reliever but ending as a starter, Woodford made eight starts across 26 appearances on the season. He ends his second year at the MLB level with a 3.99 ERA across 67.2 innings, a step in the right direction considering he posted a 5.57 ERA through 21 frames in 2020.

Adon allowed two runs on six hits and three walks while striking out nine over 5.1 innings in a no-decision versus Boston on Sunday.

The 23-year-old gave up a few too many baserunners, but he left the game in line for the win before Washington's bullpen gave up the lead. Adon logged a 4.97 ERA, 1.28 WHIP and 122:40 K:BB across 105 innings across three different levels of the minors, although 17 of his 21 starts came at High-A Wilmington. He'll likely need more time at Triple-A Rochester to begin 2022, barring a standout performance in spring training.

Webb (11-3) allowed four runs on six hits over seven innings Sunday, striking out eight and earning a win over San Diego.

The only damage against Webb through seven innings was an RBI sacrifice fly by Manny Machado in the fourth frame. He allowed three straight singles to begin the eighth, including an RBI base hit by Victor Caratini, and was charged with two more runs after he left the game. The 24-year-old righty helped himself at the plate, launching a two-run homer and scoring three runs. Webb finished the 2021 regular season with a strong 3.03 ERA and 158:36 K:BB through 148.1 innings.