MLB Player News

Asher (2-0) allowed four runs (none earned) on five hits over five innings in a victory over the Mets on Saturday. He also had one strikeout and no walks.

Philadelphia took a 10-0 lead, but nearly gave it away, as the Phillies just barely held to win 10-8. Asher was cruising along through three and worked out of trouble in the fourth, but then two errors in the fifth led to five unearned runs. Asher has allowed just four earned runs in three MLB starts. He has a 1.66 ERA, 0.92 WHIP and nine strikeouts in 21.2 innings this season.

Ray (8-14) allowed five runs (four earned) on six hits, struck out five and walked four over 3.2 innings in a loss to the Orioles on Saturday.

The lead-off hitter reached base in three of the four innings Ray pitched in, and all three of those runners scored. To begin the fourth, he tossed up a homer to Trey Mancini. Ray has allowed a home run in four straight starts and 22 homers this season. He now owns a 4.77 ERA, 1.46 WHIP and 215 strikeouts in 169.2 innings. Ray will make his final start of the year on Thursday against Washington.

Syndergaard (illness) will start Tuesday, Anthony DiComo of MLB.com reports.

Having him start Tuesday lines him up to make the final start of the season Sunday, but he'll only pitch that game if the Mets need it to get into the playoffs.

Matz (shoulder) will pitch out of the bullpen if he pitches at all again this season, ESPN.com reports. "Right now, if he's able to throw -- able to pitch -- maybe we'll put him in the 'pen and see if we can get him an inning here or an inning there to see how he reacts to it," manager Terry Collins said Saturday.

Renewed pain in the lefty's shoulder following a bullpen session earlier this week forced the Mets to scratch Matz from his scheduled start Friday. He has not been shut down -- in fact, Matz played catch prior to Saturday's game -- but he no longer has enough time to build up for a start during the regular season. Matz has never made a relief appearance in the major leagues.

Hammel (15-10) gave up six earned runs on six hits and a walk over 2.1 innings in a 10-4 loss to the Cardinals on Saturday. He struck out two.

The veteran fell victim to a Cardinals team that's been dangerous against right-handers all season, with the majority of his problems coming in the first inning. Yadier Molina got the scoring started with a two-run double and the red-hot Randal Grichuk followed by driving in two on a single. Hammel also saw Stephen Piscotty take him deep with a solo shot in the second, while Grichuk came back to tag Mike Montgomery for a two-bagger in the third that drove in Jhonny Peralta, the final run that went on Hammel's ledger. The 34-year-old has endured an up-and-down September, giving up 20 earned runs over 20.2 innings and dropping three of four decisions in the process. He'll look to build some positive momentum for the postseason when he takes on the Reds next Friday.

Cueto (groin) will not start Sunday against the Padres, Alex Pavlovic of CSN Bay Area reports.

The Giants were holding out hope that Cueto could take Sunday's turn, but evidently the groin is still presenting issues. Ty Blach will toe the rubber in the series finale against San Diego in place of Cueto. Manager Bruce Bochy suggested earlier this week that Cueto could move back to early next week if he were deemed unavailable for Sunday.

Hill will have his scheduled start Sunday skipped as a precaution due to his previous blister issue, MLB.com's Ken Gurnick reports.

Brandon McCarthy will come off the DL to make the start Sunday, but Hill is still expected to start either next Saturday or Sunday against the Giants. This is a bummer for owners who were banking on two more starts from Hill this season, but it's understandable from the Dodgers' perspective, as they have the division wrapped up.

Manager Chip Hale said Saturday that he does not expect Greinke (shoulder) to pitch again this season, Nick Piecoro of the Arizona Republic reports.

The results of Greinke's MRI were favorable but he's already been ruled out for Tuesday and it now sounds like he will just shut it down with an eye toward 2017. The last-place Diamondbacks have absolutely no reason to rush the right-hander back into action with five years remaining on his deal. It's uncertain who will take Greinke's spot for the final two turns.

Syndergaard (strep throat) felt well enough to throw a bullpen session Saturday and could start Monday or Tuesday, MLB.com's Anthony DiComo reports.

He won't pitch this weekend as he recovers from a case of strep throat, but it sounds like he is on pace to return either Monday or Tuesday, which would allow him to make two starts next week.

Taillon didn't factor into the decision versus the Nationals on Friday, but recorded seven strikeouts and gave up three earned runs on six hits over five innings.

The rookie exhibited sharp control in notching first-pitch strikes on 16 of the 22 batters he faced and not issuing a free pass for the second time in his last four starts. Taillon's pitch count has been closely monitored as the season has wound down, as he hasn't pitched past the fifth inning in any of his last three trips to the mound. He's enjoyed a solid rookie campaign overall, with a 4-4 record and 3.49 ERA that he'll try to improve on when he takes on the Cubs next Wednesday in his final start of 2016.