MLB Player News

Valdez allowed three runs on five hits and five walks while striking out seven over four innings in a no-decision versus the Mariners on Wednesday.

Valdez walked five batters for the third time this year, and he's issued multiple free passes in three of his last five starts. This was a short outing of 83 pitches (49 strikes), which could allow Valdez to line up for an early playoff game or potentially a brief bullpen assignment over the weekend if the Astros are looking to secure a playoff spot. Through 198 innings this year, he's posted a 3.45 ERA, 1.13 WHIP and 200:57 K:BB over 31 starts.

Waldron allowed two runs on five hits and two walks while striking out two over six innings in a no-decision versus the Giants on Wednesday.

Waldron's six innings were a season high in the majors for the 27-year-old righty in what was likely his last outing of the year. He allowed two or fewer runs in five of his eight appearances (six starts). Waldron is at a 4.35 ERA, 1.23 WHIP and 31:12 K:BB through 41.1 innings in the majors after posting a 7.31 ERA in 92.1 minor-league innings this season.

Dunning (12-6) allowed three hits and a walk while striking out seven over seven shutout innings to earn the win Wednesday over the Angels.

Dunning has kept runs off the board in two of his last three outings, though he still gave up 16 runs across 28.2 innings in five September starts. The right-hander has likely made his last regular-season start, posting a 3.72 ERA, 1.26 WHIP and 136:54 K:BB over 169.1 innings over 34 appearances (25 starts). It's unclear if Dunning will be considered for postseason starts in the likely event the Rangers clinch a playoff spot.

Canning (7-8) allowed two runs on five hits and two walks while striking out five over six innings to take the loss Wednesday versus the Rangers.

Canning went 0-4 over his last six outings of the campaign, though this was his third quality start in that span. The right-hander received no run support Wednesday, allowing Adolis Garcia's RBI double and solo home run to make the early difference. Canning finishes with a 4.32 ERA, 1.24 WHIP and 139:36 K:BB over 127 innings across 24 appearances (22 starts) this year, an improvement on his 5.60 ERA over 62.2 innings in 2021. He did not pitch at all due to a back injury last season.

Oviedo did not factor into the decision Wednesday, allowing six runs on seven hits and two walks over five innings in a 7-6 loss to the Phillies. He struck out six.

Oviedo got off to a good start Wednesday, delivering three shutout innings before the Phillies tagged him for six runs across the fourth and fifth frames. Oviedo had allowed just one run over 11 innings in his previous two starts despite walking 10 in that span. The 25-year-old right-hander flashed some potential this season, though control issues have led to inconsistent results. Oviedo will finish the year 9-14 with a 4.31 ERA, 1.37 WHIP and 158:83 K:BB across 32 starts covering 177.2 innings.

Suarez did not factor into the decision Wednesday, allowing six runs on nine hits and two walks over 4.2 innings against the Pirates. He struck out four.

The Pirates got off to a fast start against Suarez, scoring three runs in the first inning. The left-hander has allowed 10 runs over 11.1 innings in his final two outings, a rough finish to an otherwise solid campaign. Suarez will end the regular season with a 4-6 record, 4.18 ERA, 1.42 WHIP and 119 strikeouts across 22 starts (125 innings).

Berrios (11-12) took the loss Wednesday, allowing four runs on five hits and three walks over six innings against the Yankees. He struck out 10.

While Berrios ended his campaign with a season-high 10 strikeouts, he gave up two runs on an Aaron Judge homer in the fourth inning before surrendering two more runs in the fifth, as the Yankees handed him a second straight loss. Berrios has allowed four runs in consecutive starts against New York after holding opponents to two runs or fewer in each of his previous three outings. The 29-year-old right-hander will finish the year with a 3.65 ERA, 1.19 WHIP and 184 strikeouts across 32 starts (189.2 innings).

Cole (15-4) earned the win Wednesday, allowing two hits in a complete-game shutout against Toronto. He struck out five.

It was a masterful performance from Cole, who notched his second complete-game shutout of the year in what'll likely be his final start this season. Cole all but wrapped up his first Cy Young award down the stretch, going 5-0 with a 1.29 ERA in his last seven outings. He'll finish the year with a 2.63 ERA, 0.98 WHIP and 222 strikeouts across 33 starts (209 innings).

Smith-Shawver will be recalled from Triple-A Gwinnett to start Thursday against the Cubs, Mark Bowman of MLB.com reports.

Thursday's start will be Smith-Shawver's first appearance in the majors since late July, when he surrendered three runs over five innings against the Brewers. On the season, he holds a 4.57 ERA and 1.25 WHIP through 21.2 innings in the big leagues, and he will likely return to Triple-A immediately after making his start.

Williams isn't listed as one of the Guardians' three scheduled starting pitchers for the team's season-closing series with the Tigers this weekend, Chris McCosky of The Detroit News reports.

Williams last pitched Sept. 17, and though the Guardians haven't provided a clear update on his status, the 24-year-old rookie has presumably been dropped from the rotation for workload management reasons now that the team has been eliminated from playoff contention. Since he's still part of the 28-man active roster, Williams could be available out of the bullpen for the final three games of the season, though the Guardians may prefer to stay away from him. If Williams has in fact been shut down, he'll close the campaign with a 3-5 record, 3.29 ERA, 1.26 WHIP and 81:37 K:BB across 82 innings with Cleveland following his June promotion from Triple-A Columbus. Williams should be assured an Opening Day rotation spot in 2024 on the heels of a strong first season in the big leagues.