MLB Player News

Strasburg (neck) will begin throwing Nov. 2, Mark Zuckerman of MASNSports.com reports.

Strasburg has spent the past few months recovery from thoracic outlet surgery, a procedure he underwent back in late July. The fact that he'll start throwing so early in the offseason seemingly bodes well for his readiness for next year, but it will be hard to have much confidence in his health during draft season given that he's made just seven starts over the last two years.

Gray pitched four innings against Arizona on Friday, surrendering seven runs on seven hits and no walks while striking out seven. He did not factor in the decision.

The veteran began the contest with a pair of scoreless innings before falling apart in the third. In that frame, Arizona swatted three homers and put up seven runs to take a 7-0 lead. Colorado came back to pull off the victory, however, and Gray was let off the hook. The seven runs were the most the veteran has given up in a single game this season, as were the trio of long balls. Assuming Gray doesn't take the mound again this weekend, he'll finish the campaign with an 8-12 record to go along with a 4.59 ERA, 1.33 WHIP and 157:58 K:BB across 149 innings.

Lauer didn't factor into the decision Friday against the Dodgers after allowing five runs on six hits and two walks while fanning three across five innings.

Lauer had given up one run or fewer in each of his prior five starts, but the wheels came off in this one and he finished with his second-worst mark of the season when it comes to runs allowed. He was facing one of the best offenses in the National League, however, and this poor outing shouldn't erase the great job he's been doing on the mound of late. The southpaw will end the regular season with career-best marks in both ERA (3.19) and WHIP (1.14) across 24 appearances (20 starts).

Kershaw (forearm) said Friday that he's unlikely to pitch during the postseason, Bob Nightengale of USA Today reports.

Kershaw was removed from Friday's win over the Brewers in the top of the second inning with left forearm discomfort. Manager Dave Roberts said the southpaw will undergo further testing Saturday, but he doesn't sound optimistic regarding the 33-year-old's postseason status. Kershaw made 22 starts during the regular season and recorded a 3.55 ERA and 1.02 WHIP in 121.2 innings.

DeSclafani (13-7) earned the win over San Diego on Friday, pitching five scoreless innings during which he allowed four hits and no walks while striking out three.

The right-hander breezed through his final regular-season start, tossing 48 of 71 pitches for strikes and capping his career-best campaign by notching his 13th victory. It's the first time in his seven seasons that DeSclafani has reached double-digit wins, and he also concludes the campaign with the best ERA (3.17) and WHIP (1.09) of his career. He was even better down the stretch, posting a 2.25 ERA, 1.03 WHIP and 25:6 K:BB across his final six starts.

Kershaw was removed from Friday's game against the Brewers with left forearm discomfort, David Vassegh of AM 570 LA Sports reports.

The southpaw missed over two months with a left forearm issue earlier in the season, but the severity of his current injury isn't yet clear. Manager Dave Roberts revealed Friday that Max Scherzer will start in Game 163 or the NL Wild Card Game, and Kershaw's status for the postseason is now in question if the Dodgers advance to the NLDS.

Castillo (personal) allowed a run on six hits and three walks while striking out five in 5.1 innings in a no-decision versus Pittsburgh on Friday.

The right-hander was strong in his last start of the season, and he also recorded Cincinnati's only hit against Pittsburgh starter Wil Crowe. Castillo gave up just 10 runs (eight earned) across 30.2 innings in his last five starts this year. An ugly start to the year left his ratios a little bloated with a 3.98 ERA, 1.36 WHIP and 192:75 K:BB across 187.2 innings, but he was able to finish strong. The 28-year-old is a free agent this offseason.

Kershaw exited Friday's game against the Brewers in the top of the second inning with an apparent injury, Jorge Castillo of the Los Angeles Times reports.

Kershaw struggled mightily in the second inning and gave up three runs, and he was visited by a trainer after he gave up a two-out double. While the specifics of his injury aren't yet clear, he was immediately removed from the game. Prior to his departure, the southpaw allowed three runs on five hits and no walks while striking out one in 1.2 innings.

Wheeler won't start Sunday's season finale against the Marlins, Todd Zolecki of MLB.com reports.

Wheeler initially lined up to start Sunday's game after he tossed seven innings Tuesday against Atlanta, but with the postseason now out of reach, the Phillies will end his campaign since he leads the majors in innings pitched this season. Across 32 starts in 2021, the right-hander recorded a career-best 2.78 ERA and 1.01 WHIP in 213.1 innings.

Strider had his contract selected by Atlanta on Friday.

Strider is in the midst of his first professional campaign and is now poised to make his MLB debut in the final days of the regular season. He spent most of the season at Double-A Mississippi and posted a 4.71 ERA, 1.22 WHIP and 95:29 K:BB across 63 innings (14 starts). The 22-year-old is unlikely to be a factor on Atlanta's postseason roster given his inexperience, but it will still be a good opportunity to get his feet wet in the majors.