MLB Player News

Lyles (5-17) allowed two hits and two walks while striking out three over five scoreless innings to earn the win Saturday over the Astros.

Lyles was defeated by the Astros in his last start, but he was able to put together his second scoreless outing of the season in Saturday's game. The veteran right-hander has had a tough season, posting a 6.24 ERA, 1.26 WHIP and 116:44 K:BB through 171.2 innings over 30 starts this year. He's allowed 16 runs across 29.1 innings in September, a modest improvement on his season numbers. He's tentatively lined up to make his last start of the campaign at home versus the Yankees next week.

Marsh will work as the bulk pitcher Sunday against the Astros, Jaylon T. Thompson of The Kansas City Star reports.

Marsh is expected to at some point follow opener Steven Cruz in the Royals' series finale versus Houston. Marsh, 25, carries a 5.71 ERA, 1.58 WHIP and 73:34 K:BB through his first 64.2 major-league innings this season.

Alcantara (elbow/forearm) acknowledged Saturday that he will not pitch again this year, Jordan McPherson and Andre Fernandez of the Miami Herald report.

Alcantara threw four scoreless innings in a promising rehab start Thursday with Triple-A Jacksonville, but his elbow and forearm were barking again in the aftermath and he's now officially been shut down with what's being called a right UCL sprain. The reigning NL Cy Young Award winner said it has yet to be determined whether the injury will require a surgical repair. He finishes 2023 with a 7-12 record, 4.14 ERA, 1.21 WHIP and 151:48 K:BB in 28 starts covering 184.2 innings.

Cease did not factor into the decision Saturday, allowing six hits over seven scoreless innings against the Red Sox. He struck out 11 without issuing any free passes.

Cease was masterful during Saturday's rain-soaked contest in Boston, but he didn't receive any run support and had to settle for a no-decision. The 27-year-old avoided issuing any walks for the first time in 13 second-half starts and notched his first double-digit strikeout effort since June 26. Despite a disappointing campaign for last year's AL Cy Young runner-up, Cease has now amassed 200-plus strikeouts for the third consecutive season, joining the ranks of Chris Sale (2013-2016) and Ed Walsh (1910-1912) as the only White Sox pitchers to achieve the feat. Cease is tentatively projected to face the Padres at home in the club's final regular-season series next week.

Flexen did not factor into the decision Saturday, allowing two runs on five hits and two walks over five innings against the Cubs. He struck out one.

After surrendering a run-scoring double to Ian Happ in the first frame, Flexen settled in and held the Cubs scoreless until a fifth-inning sacrifice fly accounted for his only other blemish. Unfortunately, Chicago's late rally disqualified the 29-year-old righty from earning his second win of the campaign. Saturday was the first time in Flexen's five September starts that he was able to limit the opposition to less than three runs, accumulating a 7.23 ERA and 1.56 WHIP acorss 23.2 frames. He currently lines up to face the Dodgers at Coors Field in his final regular-season start next week.

Montas (shoulder) threw two scoreless innings with two strikeouts in his second rehab start Saturday with Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre, Conor Foley of The Scranton Times-Tribune reports.

Montas yielded just one hit and issued no walks in the 25-pitch outing while touching 95.2 mph with his fastball. The 30-year-old right-hander has been sidelined all season following February arthroscopic shoulder surgery, but he could potentially join the Yankees in the final week of the 2023 campaign for a relief appearance or abbreviated start. Montas is set to become a free agent this winter.

Stroman did not factor into the decision Saturday, allowing three runs on five hits and one walk over three innings against Colorado. He struck out two.

Stroman wasn't particularly sharp in his first start -- his first two appearances came out of the bullpen -- since landing on the injured list Aug. 2, needing 64 pitches (39 strikes) to make it through three frames. In the first half of the season, he posted a 2.96 ERA and 1.11 WHIP across 112.2 innings, earning Stroman an All-Star nod for the second time in his nine-year MLB career. However, the second half hasn't been so kind to the veteran righty, as he endured a six-week stay on the injured list and has posted a 9.41 ERA with a 1.95 WHIP across 22 innings since the All-Star break. He lines up for his final start of the regular season Thursday in Atlanta.

The Dodgers reinstated Grove (lat) from the 15-day injured list Saturday, Fabian Ardaya of The Athletic reports.

The 26-year-old has been on the shelf since early August due to tightness in his right lat, and his return will force Gavin Stone off the major-league roster. Grove has pitched to a 6.61 ERA through 64 innings on the year, but manager Dave Roberts said the right-hander would be given "every opportunity" to compete for a spot on the Dodgers' playoff roster.

The Dodgers optioned Stone to Triple-A Oklahoma City on Saturday, Fabian Ardaya of The Athletic reports.

Stone gave up 10 runs over 13 innings across three appearances during his latest stint in the majors, and he will now return to the minors amid his struggles. Michael Grove (lat) will return from the injured list to replace Stone on the active roster.

The Angels placed Anderson on the 15-day injured list Saturday with knee soreness, Erica Weston of Bally Sports West reports.

Anderson already had a start postponed due to his sore knee, and now he will simply be shut down for the rest of the season as he continues to recover. No replacement starter has been named yet for Sunday's game against Minnesota. Anderson will finish the season with a 5.43 ERA and 1.49 WHIP through 141 innings after joining the Halos on a three-year, $40 million contract last offseason.