MLB Player News

Cueto (groin) has been confirmed as Thursday's starter against the Rockies.

This was expected but Cueto's inclusion in the lineup provided final confirmation that he will start opposite Jon Gray. Prior to leaving his last start with a groin strain, Cueto gave up eight hits but zero runs over 5.1 frames, lowering his September ERA to 1.59.

Manager Joe Maddon said Hammel (elbow) may land on the Cubs' postseason roster despite being scratched from Friday's start due to elbow tightness, Carrie Muskat of MLB.com reports. Maddon said Hammel's problem isn't severe.

The depth in Chicago's rotation, however, was already likely to push Hammel to the bullpen anyway, so he probably won't be a fantasy option for those who play October daily games.

Hammel was scratched from his scheduled start Friday due to tightness in his elbow, CSN's Patrick Mooney reports.

Hammel has pitched through the soreness and apparently could have started Friday had the game had playoff implications, but with home-field advantage already secured, the Cubs decided not to take any chances. The team has not yet announced who will get the start Friday in Hammel's place.

Taillon limited the Cubs to one run on one hit and three walks in six innings Wednesday. He struck out four.

The rookie ended his campaign on a high note, allowing only a first-row homer to Anthony Rizzo. The right-hander emerged as the team's ace, compiling a 3.38 ERA and 1.12 WHIP in 104 innings. Including minor league action, he totaled 165.2 innings after missing the two previous seasons. The workload didn't slow Taillon down and he's put himself in position for an even greater role in 2017.

Nola (elbow) started a throwing program this week in Clearwater, Fla., Todd Zolecki of MLB.com reports.

GM Matt Klentak said Nola has felt good so far. He will begin throwing on flat ground, increase his throwing distance and then move to the mound to face hitters. Klentak indicated the Phillies will be conservative with the pace when ramping things up. The team remains hopeful Nola will be ready for spring training.

DeSclafani (9-5) finished his season with six innings of one-run ball against the Cardinals on Wednesday, allowing just six hits and two walks with three strikeouts.

The third-year righty thus heads in to the offseason with new career bests in ERA (3.28) and WHIP (1.22) over 123.1 innings -- strong numbers for a guy whose April oblique injury ended up landing him on the 60-day DL. DeSclafani will make for a solid value pick in next year's drafts, especially if the Reds make some aggressive moves to improve their roster.

Anderson gave up four runs (three earned) on eight hits over five innings in Texas on Wednesday. He struck out two and walked two while avoiding the decision.

Despite his travails, Anderson actually held a 5-4 lead when he left the game, but the Brewers' bullpen ended up blowing it. Up until this game, he'd been working on a surprisingly excellent September -- a 1.21 ERA and 1.03 WHIP over 22.1 innings spanning four starts -- and actually posted decent numbers on the whole from late July through Wednesday, his final start of the season. Even so, Anderson's modest strikeout totals, middling control and proneness to the long ball are not good attributes in a fantasy starter. He'll very likely go undrafted in most leagues next year.

Urena (4-9) was torched by the Mets for five runs on eight hits and two walks over five innings Wednesday. He struck out two in the loss.

Making his 12th and final start of the season, the 25-year-old failed to go out on a positive note. Outside of an 8.2-inning gem against the Dodgers on Sept. 11, Urena dropped three of his last four starts. He finishes his sophomore campaign with a 6.13 ERA and 1.43 WHIP over 83.2 innings (28 appearances).

Lugo (5-2) pitched 5.1 innings, allowing two runs on five hits and three walks while striking out two Marlins in Wednesday's victory.

Making his eighth and final start of the season, the rookie delivered another fine outing. In his last seven starts, Lugo is 5-0 while his team is a perfect 7-0. The 26-year-old finished the year's final month with a 2.76 ERA and 17 strikeouts in 29.1 innings.

Ryu underwent an elbow debridement procedure Wednesday, David Vassegh of 570 AM Los Angeles reports.

With the surgery to remove damaged tissue from the elbow joint successful, Ryu can now cast an eye toward 2017. The Dodgers do expect Ryu to be ready to go for the start of next season, although that was the expectation last year too after the lefty underwent shoulder surgery. Ryu ended up making just one start for the Dodgers in 2016.