MLB Player News

Mets president of baseball operations David Stearns said Monday that he expects Megill (elbow) to be 100 percent for the start of spring training, Michael Mayer of MetsmerizedOnline.com reports.

Megill is just over one year removed from Tommy John surgery on his right elbow. It's unclear whether he's currently at in the rehab process, but it sounds like Megill won't be facing any real restrictions once spring training rolls around. The 31-year-old Megill could compete for a spot in the Mets' rotation next season.

Phillies interim manager Don Mattingly said Monday that Painter will be available out of the bullpen for Game 1 of the wild-card series in Atlanta on Tuesday, Todd Zolecki of MLB.com reports.

Painter had been under consideration to start the game. That assignment will go to Jesus Luzardo, though Luzardo will have a limited workload because he hasn't started a game in a few weeks. Painter could be asked to absorb the lion's share of the workload out of the bullpen Tuesday, though that decision might depend on how the game unfolds.

Phillies interim manager Don Mattingly said Monday that Luzardo will be an opener for Game 1 of the American League Wild Card Series in Atlanta on Tuesday, Todd Zolecki of MLB.com reports.

Luzardo has not started a game in three weeks, having missed time down the stretch of the regular season with left shoulder inflammation. However, the southpaw returned for the Phillies' regular-season finale Sunday and tossed a perfect inning against the Rays. While Luzardo could be capable of covering multiple frames Tuesday, it will not be a traditional start. Andrew Painter will be available out of the bullpen Tuesday and could absorb the bulk of the workload in Game 1.

Rea tossed two scoreless innings of relief with a strikeout to earn the save in Sunday's 6-2 win over the Red Sox.

Rea was the fourth Chicago pitcher to enter the ballgame, following Shota Imanaga, Braxton Garrett and Jacob Webb, and he shut the door over the final two innings to secure his second save of the year. The veteran righty finishes the regular season with a 4.34 ERA across 137 innings in 34 games, which included 19 starts. Rea will likely have a low-leverage relief role for the Cubs in the postseason, though he can give the team some length out of the bullpen if needed.

Soroka did not factor into the decision Sunday, allowing three runs on three hits and two walks over 4.2 innings against the Padres. He struck out four.

Soroka worked two scoreless innings before surrendering runs in each of the next three frames, including a solo homer to Gavin Sheets in the fourth. In four outings since returning from right shoulder inflammation, the right-handed hurler posted a 3.48 ERA, 0.73 WHIP and 23:5 K:BB across 20.2 innings. With the Diamondbacks falling short of a playoff berth, Soroka will end the 2026 campaign with a 9-5 record, 3.41 ERA, 1.09 WHIP and 114:29 K:BB over 116 innings (22 appearances).

Vasquez did not factor into the decision Sunday, allowing one run on three hits and no walks over six innings in a 9-4 win over Arizona. He struck out two.

Making his first start since Sept. 1, Vasquez was sharp and economical, allowing just one run in the sixth inning before departing at 68 pitches (54 strikes). Bouncing between the rotation and bullpen, the right-hander will end the regular season with a 10-6 record, 3.90 ERA, 1.27 WHIP and 87:37 K:BB across 140.2 innings (32 appearances). If San Diego uses Vasquez in the postseason, it will likely be as a reliever.

Alcantara picked up the save in Sunday's 5-3 win over Atlanta. He allowed no hits or walks while striking out one over an inning.

With Miami opting against having him make one last start over the weekend, Alcantara was deployed as a reliever for the third time this season in Sunday's regular-season finale. The veteran right-hander was able to work through a leadoff error and retire the next three batters in order to secure his third save. Alcantara will end the campaign with a major-league-leading 214 innings, posting a 13-11 record with a 3.87 ERA, 1.23 WHIP and 153:59 K:BB across 36 appearances.

Ritchie (1-5) took the loss Sunday, allowing four runs on seven hits and two walks over 5.2 innings against Miami. He struck out two.

Ritchie performed well through the first five innings, allowing just one run via a solo homer to Heriberto Hernandez in the fourth frame, before unraveling in a three-run sixth inning and being pulled at 87 pitches (56 strikes). Regarded as one of Atlanta's top pitching prospects entering 2026, the 23-year-old has struggled to consistently put things together at the big-league level. Ritchie will close his rookie regular season with a 4.91 ERA, 1.47 WHIP and 68:43 K:BB in 73.1 innings (17 appearances).

Junk did not factor into the decision Sunday, allowing one run on three hits and a walk over 4.2 innings in a 5-3 win over Atlanta. He struck out five.

Junk's lone blemish was a solo homer surrendered to Mauricio Dubon in the third inning, and the right-hander departed at 64 pitches (44 strikes) after 4.2 frames. The right-handed hurler posted a 4.79 ERA, 1.26 WHIP and 19:5 K:BB across 20.1 innings (five starts) in September. He'll close the 2026 campaign with a 6-9 record, 4.22 ERA, 1.29 WHIP and 89:33 K:BB over 123.2 innings (26 appearances).

Freeland (4-12) took the loss Sunday against the White Sox, allowing four runs on seven hits and no walks in four innings. He struck out two.

Five of the seven hits allowed went for extra bases Sunday. The southpaw's five-year deal with the Rockies is up following the 2026 season, and it remains to be seen if he'll re-up with Colorado after spending each of the first 10 years of his career in the Mile High City. He turned in one of his worst big-league campaigns this year, registering a 6.65 ERA, 1.52 WHIP and 108:29 K:BB in 135.1 innings.