MLB Player News

Strasburg allowed one run on three hits and four walks while striking out five over four innings Monday against the Marlins. He didn't factor into the decision.

Strasburg gave up just one run in the fifth inning, but the Nationals decided to pull him after he reached 100 pitches (59 strikes). The 30-year-old has looked sharp down the stretch of the regular season, surrendering two or fewer runs in each of his previous six outings (34.2 frames). Although the Nationals have been eliminated from the postseason, he'll look to finish his year on a high note Sunday in Colorado.

Alcantara (2-2) surrendered six runs on seven hits and five walks while striking out three over four innings, taking the loss Monday against Washington.

Alcantara gave up a home run in the first inning and fell apart in the fourth when the Nationals erupted for five runs. He'd exit the game having thrown 51 of 84 pitches for strikes. After being called up at the beginning of September, the 23-year-old has made four starts, allowing 11 runs on 18 hits and 16 walks while fanning 18 over 22 frames. Alcantara figures to make his final start of the 2018 season Sunday on the road against the Mets.

Hamels (9-11) allowed three runs (two earned) over six innings to take the loss Monday against the Pirates. He gave up five hits and two walks, while striking out seven. He also chipped in a solo home run at the plate.

While it was the second straight loss for Hamels, this was a much better outing than his last start, when he allowed seven earned runs in six innings. The big blow against the veteran lefty was a two-run home run by Francisco Cervelli in the first inning, but he settled in nicely after that. Hamels now has seven quality starts in 11 appearances with the Cubs along with a stellar 2.47 ERA. He's slated to make his final start of the regular season Saturday against the rival Cardinals.

Manager Gabe Kapler said Eickhoff could start sometime this week, Matt Breen of The Philadelphia Inquirer reports.

Eickhoff has made just one appearance for the big club this season due to injuries, allowing one run while striking out two in an inning of relief. With the Phillies out of playoff contention, the right-hander may be afforded a spot start before the end of the season.

General manager Jeff Bridich said Anderson's shoulder issue "doesn't seem to be too serious," and the Rockies hope he'll be able to start later in the week, Jon Morosi of MLB Network reports.

Anderson was originally scheduled to pitch Monday before he was scratched with left shoulder soreness. It doesn't sound like the injury will prematurely end the southpaw's season, though the Rockies will likely wait and see how he feels in the coming days before clearing him to rejoin the rotation. Jon Gray is starting in Anderson's place Monday, while Tuesday's starter has yet to be determined.

Musgrove (pelvis/abdomen) is expected to require about six weeks of "relative rest" before being cleared to resume offseason workouts, Adam Berry of MLB.com reports.

Musgrove was diagnosed Saturday with a stress reaction on the front of his pelvic bone and an abdominal wall muscle strain, which prevented him from taking the hill for his normal turn in Sunday's series finale against the Brewers. The injury will keep him on the shelf for the remainder of the season, but the six-week recovery timeline shouldn't impact his availability for the start of spring training. Nick Kingham was added to the Pirates' rotation Sunday in Musgrove's stead and will make one more start before the season draws to a close.

Anderson was scratched from his scheduled start against the Phillies on Monday with left shoulder soreness, Thomas Harding of MLB.com reports.

Jon Gray, who was scheduled to start Tuesday, will step in to start for the injured Anderson. The severity of the injury remains unclear at this point, leaving the southpaw's status for the final week of the season up in the air.

Gray will start Monday against the Phillies rather than Tuesday after Tyler Anderson was scratched due to left shoulder soreness, Thomas Harding of MLB.com reports.

The change in schedule won't mean Gray starts on short rest, as his last start came the previous Monday. It does mean that he could be more likely to have a two-start week, as he'll presumably pitch again Saturday or Sunday against the Nationals. He'll have to pitch well Monday to keep his spot in the rotation, however, as he's allowed a combined 10 runs in six innings over his last two outings.

Urias fired a pair of scoreless innings while giving up a hit and striking out four in Sunday's 14-0 win over San Diego.

Urias made his second relief appearance following his 2018 debut Sept. 15. Both outings came in situations where the Dodgers held double-digit leads, so it appears that the 22-year-old is being eased back into a low-leverage role after missing significant time with a shoulder injury.

Matz allowed three runs on five hits and three walks across three innings Sunday in a no-decision against the Nationals. He struck out four.

Matz struggled mightily in the third inning, when he allowed three runs on three hits, a walk and a hit batsman before retiring the side. He had already labored through 78 pitches by that time and didn't come back out for the fourth. Matz had compiled a solid 2.29 ERA over his previous six starts, so this rocky outing came as a bit of a surprise. He'll look to close out on a high in his final start of the season Saturday against the Marlins.