MLB Player News

Walker (elbow, shoulder) is scheduled to throw a bullpen session Thursday, Nick Piecoro of the Arizona Republic reports.

If all goes well Thursday, the plan appears to be for Walker to open Sunday's season finale against the Padres with left-hander Alex Young coming in as the primary starter. Walker was expected to have a midseason return from Tommy John elbow surgery, but a right shoulder capsule sprain in mid-May delayed his eventual return. He's now hoping to throw an inning or two in a major-league game before the end of the season.

DeGrom (11-8) picked up the win in Wednesday's 10-3 victory over the Marlins, giving up only two hits and a walk over seven scoreless innings while striking out seven.

Once again, deGrom's record belies how well he pitched in a season. The right-hander finishes 2019 with a 2.43 ERA (second in the majors to Hyun-Jin Ryu), 0.97 WHIP (tops in the NL) and 255 strikeouts (also leading the NL), and he was especially strong down the stretch with the Mets trying in vain to reach the postseason, posting a 1.29 ERA, 0.71 WHIP and 41:5 K:BB through 35 innings in September. A second Cy Young Award could be coming his way.

Stripling gave up three runs on four hits and one walk while striking out seven in a no-decision against the Padres on Wednesday.

Stripling ran into trouble early, allowing four baserunners and three runs in the first inning, but he recovered to only give up one hit in his next two frames. Stripling will finish the regular season with a 4-4 record and a 3.51 ERA with 92 strikeouts through 89.2 innings.

Melville took a no-decision during Wednesday's loss to the Giants, giving up one run on four hits and two walks with a pair of strikeouts across five innings.

It was a strong outing for the right-hander, who surrendered his only run of the night via an RBI single by Kevin Pillar in the third inning. Melville closes out the season with a 2-3 record, 4.86 ERA, 1.44 WHIP and 24:14 K:BB across seven starts.

Smyly struck out 10 while allowing two runs on four hits with no walks across 6.1 innings during a no-decision against the Nationals on Wednesday.

The 30-year-old saved one of his best outings of the year for last, but unfortunately for him, it still didn't end in a victory. The runner he left during the seventh scored after he exited to tie the game, leaving him with a no-decision. Smyly still ended on a high note, but his overall season was ugly -- 4-7 record, 6.24 ERA, 1.59 WHIP and 120 strikeouts in 114 innings.

Mahle (2-12) allowed eight runs (seven earned) on seven hits and three walks while striking out one across 2.1 innings to take the loss Wednesday against the Brewers.

Mahle was sunk by the long ball as he allowed three home runs, which accounted for six of his runs. The start was a microcosm of Mahle's campaign, as he's now allowing 1.8 HR/9 in 24 starts. On the other hand, he's also shown flashes of brilliance, most recently in his last start when he allowed just one earned run on one hit across six innings against the Cubs. As a result of the ups and downs, Mahle will end the season with 5.34 ERA and 1.34 WHIP across 124.2 innings.

Lyles (12-8) allowed two earned runs on three hits and two walks while striking out six across five innings to earn the win Wednesday against the Reds.

Lyles continued his strong form, with the only major damage he allowed coming on a solo home run by Eugenio Suarez in the first inning. Otherwise, he kept the Reds off balance, generating 12 of his 15 outs via either groundball or strikeout. Lyles has now allowed two or fewer earned runs in 10 of his 11 starts as a Brewer.

Kelly (13-14) allowed five earned runs on eight hits and two walks while striking out seven across six innings to earn the win Wednesday against the Cardinals.

Kelly worked two scoreless innings to begin the game, but he allowed at least one earned run in each of his last four frames. Despite earning a win, it was a disappointing way for Kelly to end the campaign, as he had allowed three or fewer runs in five consecutive starts entering Wednesday's outing. He ends his first season back in the major leagues with a 4.42 ERA and 1.31 WHIP across 183.1 innings -- respectable marks considering the current pitching landscape.

Wacha will undergo an MRI on his right shoulder Thursday, Derrick Goold of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch reports.

Wacha was lifted from Wednesday's start after 1.2 innings with what the Cardinals are calling a mild shoulder strain, per Goold. The MRI will help determine the specifics of the injury while the 28-year-old's postseason availability hangs in the balance.

Hill (knee) is expected to pitch three innings and make around 45 pitches against the Giants on Sunday, Jorge Castillo of the Los Angeles Times reports.

Hill threw a strong two-inning outing against the Padres on Tuesday, striking out five and holding San Diego hitless and scoreless over two innings. Despite moments during which Hill appeared to be in physical pain on the mound and while covering first base, the 39-year-old made it through the outing without suffering any setbacks and even logged a double in his only plate appearance. While it was a positive step in Hill's quest to make the National League Division Series roster as a potential Game 4 starter, he'll need to pass one more test Sunday to prove he's physically capable of contributing in the postseason.