MLB Player News

Houser allowed two earned runs on three hits and no walks while striking out three across four innings Tuesday against the Reds. He did not factor into the decision.

Houser allowed all three of his hits in the first inning, including two doubles. However, he consistently got the Reds to beat the ball into the ground and held them without a hit in his next three innings of work. While Houser has been effective as a starter of late, he's not working deep into games, failing to complete five innings in four of his last five appearances. He is currently projected to draw the team's final start of the regular season Sunday, but will have a tough matchup at Coors Field.

Stripling will either start or serve as the bulk reliever Wednesday against the Padres, Alanna Rizzo of Spectrum SportsNet LA reports.

It had been thought that Stripling might line up to be the bulk reliever Tuesday, but perhaps Tony Gonsolin will fill that role. Ideally Stripling would work as the bulk reliever to give him a better chance of qualifying for a win. He has failed to log more than three innings in any of his last four appearances, but has allowed just one run with nine strikeouts in 10 innings over those four appearances.

Quantrill will not pitch again this season, Jeff Sanders of The San Diego Union-Tribune reports.

The 24-year-old righty is likely dealing with soreness of some kind, as he logged 148 innings in the minors last year and has only thrown 138.2 innings this year between the majors and the minors. For what it's worth, the team says Quantrill is healthy, according to AJ Cassavell of MLB.com, and that he will be firmly in the rotation mix next spring after logging a 5.69 ERA in 91.2 innings as a big-league starter in 2019. The Padres were working with a six-man rotation, so this may not result in anyone getting a spot start this weekend against the Diamondbacks.

Soroka will likely be capped around 65-to-70 pitches Wednesday against the Royals, David O'Brien of The Athletic reports.

This was expected, as the Braves have already clinched the NL East and Soroka has already tripled up his innings from 2018. Across four starts this month, the 22-year-old owns a 3.68 ERA, 1.09 WHIP and 22:6 K:BB in 22 innings.

Hamels (shoulder) felt good after a bullpen session Tuesday, Mark Gonzales of the Chicago Tribune reports.

A sore shoulder has kept Hamels off the mound since Sept. 16, but he may have time to make one more start this season. The Cubs will have to make a decision regarding Hamels in the coming days.

Gray will be making his final start of the year Tuesday against the Brewers, Bobby Nightengale of The Cincinnati Enquirer reports.

Gray would be on schedule to pitch on the final day of the season Sunday in Pittsburgh, but the Reds will elect to go with a bullpen day instead. The right-hander has exceeded expectations in his first season in Cincinnati, posting a 2.80 ERA and a career-high 199 strikeouts through 30 starts.

Hamels (shoulder) will throw a bullpen session Tuesday, Gordon Wittenmyer of the Chicago Sun-Times reports.

A sore shoulder has kept Hamels off the mound for over a week. The Cubs currently sit four games out of a playoff spot with six left to play, so they may elect to shut down Hamels for the season unless their situation rapidly improves.

Nicasio (shoulder) was activated from the injured list Tuesday, Matt Breen of The Philadelphia Inquirer reports.

Nicasio had been out for a month with a sore shoulder. It's unclear how much he'll help the Phillies' bullpen over the last few games of the year, as he has a 4.93 ERA and 1.64 WHIP on the season.

Walker (elbow, shoulder) threw a 20-pitch simulated game Monday, Nick Piecoro of the Arizona Republic reports.

Walker will be evaluated Tuesday to determine how he responds to the session, which could serves as the final step before a potential return from the injured list. The right-hander has participated in a series of bullpen sessions during September in hopes of throwing at least one inning in a major-league game this season. With the Diamondbacks being eliminated from postseason contention with a loss to the Cardinals on Monday, the club may be more inclined to activate Walker and let him pitch this week.

Martinez picked up the save against the Diamondbacks on Monday, giving up no earned runs on one hit over one inning to close out the Cardinals' 9-7 victory. He struck out one and walked none.

Martinez was tasked with protecting a three-run lead after the Diamondbacks started a ninth-inning rally against John Brebbia, and while he allowed one of the runners on base to come around and score, he managed to shut the door and pick up his 24th save of the season. The longtime starter has had some bumps in the road, but he's largely adapted well in his first go-around as the Cardinals' full-time closer, posting a 3.30 ERA, 1.19 WHIP and 51:18 K:BB across 46.1 innings.