MLB Player News

Walker (15-6) took the loss Saturday in the first game of a doubleheader against the Mets, giving up four runs on four hits and four walks over seven innings as the Phillies fell 4-3. He struck out three.

A three-run first inning nearly led to a quick exit for Walker, but he gutted out the early offense and helped preserve the Phillies' bullpen ahead of Tuesday's playoff opener in the wild-card round. The veteran righty tossed 106 pitches (64 strikes) in his final regular-season trip to the mound, and while Walker was able to give the Phillies innings in September, they weren't very effective ones -- he got tagged for at least four runs in four of his final five outings, posting a 5.93 ERA and 19:12 K:BB through 30.1 innings on the month.

France (personal) is back with the Astros and is available out of the bullpen, Chandler Rome of The Athletic reports.

France was scratched from his scheduled start against Arizona on Friday due to a family emergency. While his absence lasted just one day, he won't get another chance to start.

The Dodgers placed Lynn on the bereavement list Saturday, Matthew Moreno of DodgerBlue.com reports.

Lynn will be held out for three-to-seven games as he tend to more important matters. Victor Gonzalez was recalled from Triple-A Oklahoma City to fill Lynn's roster spot.

The Rangers optioned Latz to Triple-A Round Rock on Saturday.

In order to make room for Matt Bush, who was selected from Triple-A on Saturday, the Rangers will push Latz off the active roster and back to the minor leagues. The 27-year-old lefty has made three appearances for the Rangers this season and has yet to surrender a run through 6.1 frames.

The Padres transferred Musgrove (shoulder) to the 60-day injured list Saturday.

Musgrove has been on the injured list since early August due to inflammation in his right shoulder. He was able to resume throwing last Friday, but with the Padres officially eliminated from playoff contention, his focus has shifted to getting ready for 2024. Musgrove's spot on the 40-man roster will be filled by Chandler Seagle, who was selected from Triple-A El Paso on Saturday.

The Brewers recalled Lauer from Triple-A Nashville to start Saturday against the Cubs.

Lauer will be making his first start in the majors since May 20, when he gave up six earned runs over three innings against the Rays. The 28-year-old southpaw put up a 5.48 ERA and 1.52 WHIP with the Brewers before being sent down to Nashville, where he recorded similar numbers. Though his numbers may not warrant a promotion, Lauer's arrival will help the Brewers keep Brandon Woodruff and Freddy Peralta fresh for the postseason. Clayton Andrews and Caleb Boushley were both optioned to the Arizona Complex League in corresponding moves.

Heaney is scheduled to start Saturday's game against the Mariners in Seattle, Evan Grant of The Dallas Morning News reports.

The veteran southpaw has made his last six appearances in relief, with the most recent outing coming in the series opener Thursday, when he tossed a 17-pitch scoreless inning. Given that he hasn't covered more than five innings in a game since late August, Heaney could end up serving as more of an opener or piggyback starter rather than a traditional starter Saturday. The Rangers will have Martin Perez (five days' rest) and Cody Bradford (three days' rest) available as potential bulk-relief options to work behind Heaney.

Winans came away with a no-decision Friday as Atlanta was downed 10-6 by the Nationals, surrendering six runs on six hits -- including three home runs -- and two walks over 5.1 innings. He struck out two.

The Nats clubbed five homers in total on the night, but Winans was responsible for the bulk of the barrage, serving up long balls to Carter Kieboom and Jake Alu in the fourth inning and Keibert Ruiz in the sixth. The 28-year-old right-hander had given up zero homers and only four runs in 11.1 innings over his prior two September starts, but Friday's poor effort might have been enough to get Atlanta to reconsider a potential role for Winans in the postseason rotation, even if Max Fried (finger) and Charlie Morton (finger) remain sidelined.

Wentz was optioned off the active roster Saturday, Chris McCosky of The Detroit News reports.

Wentz wasn't going to pitch again after starting Friday's game against the Guardians, so he'll exit the roster to give the Tigers another bullpen arm, with Garrett Hill taking his place. Wentz will end the season with a 6.90 ERA and 1.68 WHIP in 105.2 innings of work.

The Brewers will recall Lauer from Triple-A Nashville on Saturday to start their penultimate game of the regular season versus the Cubs at American Family Field, Curt Hogg of the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel reports.

After opening the season as the Brewers' No. 3 starter, Lauer posted a 5.48 ERA, 1.52 WHIP and 41:20 K:BB over 42.2 innings across his first nine appearances (eight starts) with the big club before landing on the 15-day injured list May 22 with an impingement in his non-throwing shoulder and then getting optioned to the minors once activated June 13. Following his reinstatement from the IL, Lauer spent several weeks at the Brewers' complex in Arizona before returning to minor-league action in late July. He eventually moved on to Triple-A Nashville and turned in his best start of the season in his most recent outing Sept. 22, striking out 10 while allowing four earned runs on six hits and two walks over seven innings. Lauer will now get the chance to make his first start with the Brewers since May, and though he doesn't look to be a realistic option for the team's postseason pitching staff, a positive showing Saturday could help him land a big-league deal elsewhere this winter. The 28-year-old southpaw is set for a raise in arbitration from the $5.08 million salary he earned in 2023, and the Brewers are likely to non-tender him and allow him to explore his options in free agency.