MLB Player News

Lopez (shoulder) said he threw a bullpen session Tuesday at about 80 percent intensity, Justin Toscano of The Atlanta Journal-Constitution reports.

Though he has yet to be turned fully loose for a bullpen session and has yet to resume facing hitters, Lopez said Wednesday that he feels ready to return from the 15-day injured list. It's not clear if Atlanta agrees with Lopez's assessment, however, so the right-hander should be considered far from a lock to be activated for this weekend's three-game series with the Royals. If Lopez does return before the end of the regular season, he would almost certainly be deployed in relief, given that he has yet to ramp back up to a starter-level pitch count.

Mets manager Carlos Mendoza said there's a "good chance" Manaea pitches Friday against Milwaukee after Wednesday's and Thursday's games against Atlanta were postponed due to inclement weather, Tim Healey of Newsday reports.

The left-hander was scheduled to start Thursday's contest, and it's hardly a surprise the Mets are hoping to get him on the mound as soon as possible in preparation for the wild-card round next week. Manaea has a 3.29 ERA, 1.06 WHIP and 183:61 K:BB over 178 innings through 31 starts this season.

Kikuchi (9-10) took the loss Wednesday against Seattle, allowing two unearned on four hits and one walk while striking out eight in six innings.

Kikuchi was excellent Wednesday, shutting out the Mariners through five innings before an unfortunate error in the sixth resulted in two unearned runs crossing the plate, giving Kikuchi his first loss since he was acquired by the Astros in late July. The 33-year-old veteran has been a revelation since coming over from Toronto at the All-Star break, posting a 5-1 record with an elite 2.70 ERA, 0.93 WHIP and 76:14 K:BB in 60 innings (10 starts). The southpaw will close out the regular season with a 4.05 ERA, 1.20 WHIP and a career-best 206 strikeouts in 175.2 innings (32 starts).

Cortes (elbow) said he's hopeful to return from the 15-day injured list at some point late in the postseason if the Yankees make a deep run, Bryan Hoch of MLB.com reports.

Cortes had been scheduled to start Wednesday against the Orioles, but he was scratched from the outing due to an elbow issue and was sent in for an MRI. He was diagnosed with a left elbow flexor strain and subsequently placed on the IL, making him ineligible to rejoin the Yankees until at least the ALCS. Cortes noted that he will be shut down for the next 7-to-10 days after getting a platelet-rich plasma injection for his elbow while also seeking at least two other doctors for further opinions on a treatment plan. On a positive note, Cortes told Jorge Castillo of ESPN.com that his UCL remains intact, so the lefty appears likely to avoid surgery and will hope to make a full recovery through rest and rehab.

Orioles manager Brandon Hyde announced Wednesday that Rodriguez (lat) has been shut down and won't pitch again this season, Roch Kubatko of MASNSports.com reports.

The 24-year-old hasn't suffered any sort of setback with the lat strain he sustained in early August, but he apparently hadn't progressed enough to be a potential factor during the playoffs. Rodriguez will focus his rehab efforts on getting ready for 2025 after finishing this season with a 3.86 ERA, 1.24 WHIP and 130:36 K:BB across 116.2 innings.

Kirby (14-11) hurled six innings of one-run ball to pick up the win Wednesday against Houston, allowing four hits and one walk while striking out six.

Kirby was shaky to start this one, plunking Jeremy Pena and issuing a rare base on balls in the opening frame. Kirby settled in shortly thereafter, cruising through six innings to pick up his third consecutive quality start and his 20th overall. Kirby showcased his historic control yet again this season, leading MLB with a 7.9 K/BB and a microscopic 1.1 BB/9. The 26-year-old will end the regular season with a 3.53 ERA, 1.07 WHIP and 179:23 K:BB in 191 innings (33 starts). The right-hander's combination of pinpoint control and durability makes him one of the most reliable pitchers in fantasy, although his modest strikeout totals cap his ceiling.

Peterson won't pitch as scheduled Wednesday against Atlanta after the game was postponed due to inclement weather, Joel Sherman of the New York Post reports.

Hurricane Helene has caused MLB to postpone both Wednesday's and Thursday's games, which will be made up via a doubleheader Monday if the results of those contests could affect playoff positioning. New York is currently a half-game up on Arizona for the final NL wild-card spot, with Atlanta being just a half-game back of the Diamondbacks. The Mets haven't disclosed how they plan to adjust their rotation following the pair of postponements, but Peterson could pitch this weekend in Milwaukee.

Sale will not pitch as originally scheduled against the Mets on Wednesday, as the game was postponed due to inclement weather in Atlanta, Joel Sherman of the New York Post reports.

Thursday's contest was postponed as well, so Atlanta and New York will play a doubleheader Monday in order to make up the two games. Meanwhile, Sale's next opportunity to start will arrive Friday, when Atlanta hosts the Royals.

Rays manager Kevin Cash said that McClanahan (elbow) touched 94-to-95 mph in a 16-pitch live batting practice session Wednesday at Tropicana Field, Tricia Whitaker of Bally Sports Sun reports.

Cash added that McClanahan -- who is coming back from August 2023 Tommy John surgery -- is "mentally ready to go" and "excited about a normal offseason." The left-hander is expected to be ready for spring training and next year's Opening Day, although he is expected to have workload restrictions in place after missing the entirety of the 2024 campaign.

Whitlock (elbow) will begin a throwing program Thursday, Gabrielle Starr of the Boston Herald reports.

Whitlock will kick off a throwing progression as he works his way back from an internal bracing procedure, which he underwent in May. It's not yet clear what role the Red Sox have in mind for Whitlock in 2025, but that could affect how soon he might be available to pitch for them.