MLB Player News

Early didn't factor into the decision in Saturday's 7-1 loss to the Mets, allowing just one hit over three scoreless innings. He struck out one without walking a batter.

Making his first appearance as a National after being acquired from the Red Sox in late July for Curtis Mead (wrist), Early was on a strict pitch count after recovering from elbow inflammation that had kept him on the shelf since June 30. The 24-year-old southpaw made the most of his limited workload, firing 21 of 34 pitches for strikes and facing just one batter over the minimum. Early wraps up his season with a 3.33 ERA, 1.23 WHIP and 94:34 K:BB through 94.2 innings, and with a healthy offseason he'll head into 2027 as one of the top arms in the Washington rotation alongside Cade Cavalli.

Tong didn't factor into the decision in Saturday's 7-1 win over the Nationals, allowing one run on three hits and a walk over five innings. He struck out nine.

The nine K's were a career high for the 23-year-old right-hander, but despite the impressive outing, Tong was in line for the loss until the Mets' offense woke up late. Over four September starts to close out the campaign, Tong posted a 3.92 ERA, 1.11 WHIP and 27:7 K:BB in 20.2 innings, positioning him for a regular spot in the 2027 rotation if the team doesn't make any major offseason investments in its staff.

Nola will start Saturday's game against the Rays, Matt Gelb of The Athletic reports.

The Phillies will send Nola back to the mound Saturday after just two days' rest as they look to clinch the final wild-card spot in the National League. Because the 33-year-old just threw six innings Wednesday against the Brewers, the Phillies will likely limit him to around two or three innings Saturday before turning things over to their bullpen.

May will start Saturday's game against the Cardinals in Milwaukee, Hunter Baumgardt of Fox Sports 920 Milwaukee reports.

May will pick up one final start to close out the regular season, but as was the case in his prior two outings, he's likely to be subject to a limited workload. He covered just 2.1 innings in a start Sept. 18 in Baltimore, then was lifted after two innings and 36 pitches in Tuesday's loss to the Phillies. Since May will be taking the hill on the three days' rest Saturday and the Brewers are aiming to keep him fresh for the playoffs, it's reasonable to expect him to be capped at around two or three innings.

Wilkinson is slated to start Saturday's game against the Dodgers in San Francisco.

Wilkinson will close out the campaign with a second straight turn through the rotation in a rematch with the Dodgers, whom he limited to three hits over five scoreless frames his last time out Sunday. Collectively, the 23-year-old lefty has turned in a 3.65 ERA, 1.01 WHIP and 18:4 K:BB in 24.2 innings through his first seven big-league appearances (five starts).

The Giants optioned Marte to Triple-A Sacramento on Saturday.

The Giants won't need Marte for the rest of the year following his start Friday, so they'll send him down in order to bring in more bullpen depth in the form of Seth Lonsway. The 23-year-old Marte will finish the year with a 4.44 ERA and 1.40 WHIP over 24.1 innings after making the jump from Double-A directly to MLB in late August.

The Nationals designated Hampton for assignment Saturday.

Hampton was claimed off waivers from the Yankees on Sept. 12, and he'll now be pushed off the 40-man roster before making his organizational debut. His roster spot will go to Connelly Early (elbow), who returned from the 60-day IL to start Saturday's game against the Mets.

The Nationals reinstated Early (elbow) from the 60-day injured list Saturday.

Out since July 1 with left elbow inflammation, Early has since been traded from Boston to Washington and will be making his debut with the Nationals on Saturday. The left-hander pitched just 2.2 innings over the course of two rehab outings and is expected to throw roughly 2-to-3 innings Saturday before handing the ball to Jake Irvin for bulk-relief work. Luis Perales was optioned to Triple-A to make room on the active roster for Early, and Chase Hampton was DFA'd to clear a 40-man spot.

Chandler (8-10) took the loss Friday as the Pirates fell 8-7 to the Tigers, coughing up six runs on four hits and four walks over 2.2 innings. He struck out two.

The 24-year-old right-hander did manage to avoid serving up a homer for the first time in five September starts, but there wasn't much else encouraging about Chandler's performance. He needed 77 pitches (42 strikes) to record just eight outs, and he heads into the offseason having stumbled to a 6.65 ERA, 1.65 WHIP and 23:12 K:BB in 23 innings over the final month. A late fade isn't all that surprising however, considering he's thrown a career-high 154 innings in 2026. Chandler will head into next season with a spot in the rotation seemingly sewn up, barring some significant additions to the Pirates' staff.

Peterson didn't factor into the decision in the second game of Friday's doubleheader against the Red Sox, allowing three hits and two walks over five scoreless innings. He struck out six.

The Cubs ended up getting swept in the twin bill, but it wasn't from a lack of effort on Peterson's part. The southpaw tossed 57 of 91 pitches for strikes, and he heads into the postseason with significant momentum -- since the All-Star break, Peterson's delivered a 2.73 ERA, 1.32 WHIP and 67:28 K:BB in 66 innings while going 5-1.