MLB Player News

Strider (20-5) earned the win Saturday, allowing three runs on six hits and three walks over five innings against the Nationals. He struck out seven.

Strider closed out the 2023 regular season on a high note Saturday, posting a quality start and fanning seven batters en route to his 20th win of the campaign. While the 24-year-old allowed three or more runs in five of his last six starts, Strider managed to finish 2023 with a 3.86 ERA and 281:58 K:BB across 186.2 innings while leading the league in wins and strikeouts.

Crawford did not factor into the decision Saturday, allowing one hit over six scoreless innings against the Orioles. He struck out seven.

Crawford dominated the Orioles, allowing just one baserunner across six scoreless frames. The outing capped off a career year for Crawford, who set a new best in ERA (4.04) and collected a 135:36 K:BB across 31 appearances (129.1 innings).

Gibson did not factor into the decision Saturday, allowing seven hits and one walk over five scoreless innings against the Red Sox. He struck out four.

Gibson was masterful at limiting damage Saturday, allowing no Red Sox players to score despite yielding seven hits. The 35-year-old has now allowed three or fewer runs in five consecutive starts, a stretch in which he owns a 2.45 ERA and a 20:9 K:BB across 29.1 innings.

Schmidt did not factor into the decision Saturday, allowing two runs on eight hits over four innings in a 5-2 victory over the Royals. He struck out three without issuing any walks.

The 27-year-old hurler limited the damage to a run-scoring single by Nelson Velazquez in the first frame and a Salvador Perez solo homer in the third, but he was removed after just four innings for the second consecutive outing. Schmidt enjoyed a solid 14-start stretch between May 25 and Aug. 8, during which he posted a 6-2 record with a 3.09 ERA, 1.07 WHIP and 56:15 K:BB across 70 innings. However, the right-hander faded down the stretch, accumulating a 5.73 ERA and 1.52 WHIP across his final nine starts (44 innings), and he will close out his 2023 campaign with a record of 9-9, a 4.64 ERA, 1.35 WHIP and 149:46 K:BB in 159 innings.

McKenzie (0-3) took the loss Saturday, allowing one run on three hits and three walks over 4.1 innings against the Tigers. He struck out one.

McKenzie went 1-2-3 through the first two innings before giving up a leadoff single and a walk in the third, though he was able to pitch his way out of the jam. He would allow one run to come across in the next frame and would eventually be relieved by Nick Sandlin with one out in the fifth. The right-hander took the loss in his two starts after returning from the injured list (elbow), registering a 6.00 ERA and a dreadful 1:9 K:BB over that stretch.

Boyle (2-0) allowed three runs on two hits and two walks while striking out six over seven innings to earn the win over the Angels on Saturday.

Boyle was sharp until the seventh inning, when he allowed all three runs and three of his four baserunners. He faced the minimum through six frames thanks to a double play. Boyle made three starts in a late-season audition, and he more than held his own to the tune of a 1.69 ERA, 0.81 WHIP and 15:5 K:BB over 16 innings. The 24-year-old right-hander maintained a 3.84 ERA, 1.50 WHIP and 168:93 K:BB over 117.1 innings between Double-A and Triple-A this season. There are still flaws in his game, namely allowing too many baserunners, but he could be good enough for Oakland's rotation if he shows well in spring training for 2024.

Kelly (12-8) allowed one run on five hits and two walks while striking out five over seven innings to take the loss Saturday versus the Astros.

Kelly pitched well, but the RBI double he surrendered to Jose Abreu in the fourth inning was the lone run for either team. The Diamondbacks had chances with five hits and six walks but couldn't even the score. Kelly concludes the regular season with a 3.29 ERA, 1.19 WHIP and 187:69 K:BB through 177.2 innings over 30 starts. He should be a part of Arizona's wild-card round rotation.

Verlander (13-8) allowed two hits and three walks while striking out five over five shutout innings to earn the win Saturday over the Diamondbacks.

Verlander's three walks were his most in a start since he was traded from the Mets, but he still got the job done. The Astros' playoff spot was confirmed with their win and the Mariners' loss to Texas. Verlander has delivered three scoreless outings in his 11 starts with Houston, and he ends September having allowed 17 runs (16 earned) over 39 frames in six starts. He has a 3.22 ERA, 1.13 WHIP and 144:45 K:BB in 162.1 innings over 27 starts this season. Verlander's next turn through the rotation tentatively lines up for Game 3 of the AL Wild Card Series.

Smyly will start Sunday's game against the Brewers, Todd Rosiak of the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel reports.

Smyly figures to work a few innings in what may turn out to be a bullpen game for Chicago after the club was eliminated from postseason contention Saturday night. The veteran southpaw has plenty of experience in a starting role, though he was converted to a reliever for the final month of the season and has worked only 15.2 innings over 11 appearances in September.

Clevinger (9-9) took the loss Saturday, allowing six runs on seven hits and two walks over 1.2 innings against the Padres. He struck out two.

Clevinger hadn't allowed more than six hits or two earned runs in any of his previous four starts, but he yielded four runs in the first frame and two more in the second Saturday as he delivered his shortest outing of the season. The 32-year-old hurler had been on quite the run since returning from a bicep injury July 29, posting a 6-4 record with a 2.96 ERA, 1.00 WHIP and 55:12 K:BB across 67 innings. However, Saturday's dud increased Clevinger's season-long ERA from 3.40 to 3.77 to go with a 1.23 WHIP and 110:40 K:BB across 131.1 innings - his biggest workload since 2018.