MLB Player News

Gallen (15-7) threw nine scoreless innings and struck out nine in Friday's 1-0 win over the Cubs. He allowed three hits and one walk.

After struggling to the tune of a 9.28 ERA over 10.2 innings in his last two outings, Gallen rebounded for a brilliant start at Wrigley Field. He needed only 107 pitches to complete his second career shutout. The 28-year-old is having a career year, posting personal bests in wins (15), innings (187.2) and strikeouts (195) this season. His next start is slated to come on the road against the Mets.

Kopech won't start as scheduled Saturday and will instead move into a multi-inning relief role, Daryl Van Schouwen of the Chicago Sun-Times reports.

After putting up a 9.50 ERA and 2.33 WHIP through 18 frames across his last five starts, Kopech will officially lose his spot in the rotation. The team reportedly still views him as a starter for next season, but a few good appearances out of the bullpen to close out 2023 would help Kopech build his case. Jose Urena will be selected from Triple-A Charlotte to start in Kopech's place Saturday against the Tigers.

The White Sox will call Urena up from Triple-A Charlotte to start Saturday's game against Detroit, Daryl Van Schouwen of the Chicago Sun-Times reports.

If Urena is able to turn in a decent performance against the Tigers, it's possible he remains in Chicago's rotation down the stretch, as Michael Kopech has been moved to the bullpen. Urena has put up a 3.38 ERA and 1.37 WHIP through 21.1 innings in Triple-A since signing with the White Sox in August, but his 5.77 ERA in the majors since 2022 makes the 31-year-old a risky fantasy option.

Mize (elbow) will throw a bullpen session Saturday, Cody Stavenhagen of The Athletic reports.

Mize was pulled off his throwing program Aug. 30 due to elbow fatigue. He's now scheduled to resume throwing off a mound and could face hitters again shortly afterward. However, there is still no guarantee Mize makes it back to Detroit's pitching staff before the end of the season.

Sanchez (shoulder) will throw a bullpen session with Double-A Pensacola on Saturday, Jordan McPherson of the Miami Herald reports.

Sanchez already has several mound sessions under his belt and could finally be nearing a return to live minor-league games. The 25-year-old right-hander hasn't made an appearance at any level since 2020 because of serious shoulder problems.

Colorado signed Marquez (elbow) to a two-year, $20 million contract extension Friday.

This new deal will cover the 2024-2025 seasons, so Marquez is no longer headed into free agency this winter and now carries some financial security into the remaining several months of his rehabilitation from Tommy John surgery. He underwent the reconstructive elbow procedure in May of this year and is not expected to return to a major-league mound until the second half of next season. The 28-year-old right-hander owns a 4.41 ERA in 1,016 career big-league innings, all with the Rockies. His career ERA away from Coors Field is 3.80.

Gomber (back) will be placed on the 15-day injured list prior to Friday's game in San Francisco, Thomas Harding of MLB.com reports.

Gomber has dealt with a nagging back issue lately, and the Rockies have apparently decided to shut him down. The left-hander will be eligible for activation Sept. 22, but it's unclear whether he'll be ready to rejoin the rotation at that time. Reliever Victor Vodnik is taking Gomber's spot on the roster.

Buehler (elbow) will not pitch for the Dodgers in 2023.

Buehler has been on the shelf all season while recovering from a Tommy John procedure he underwent in August 2022. He threw two scoreless innings during his first rehab start with Triple-A Oklahoma City on Sunday. However, with the Dodgers shifting their focus to getting Buehler ready for the start of 2024, it's unclear whether the 29-year-old righty will continue making rehab appearances in the minors.

Falter struck out three over 3.2 scoreless frames out of the bullpen Wednesday but didn't factor into the decision in the Pirates' 5-4 win over the Brewers. He gave up one hit and no walks in the 44-pitch outing.

For his second appearance in a row, the 26-year-old southpaw worked behind an opening pitcher, as Colin Selby got the starting nod Wednesday and covered one inning before turning the game over to Falter. Between his last two outings, he has struck out five batters while allowing just one earned run on two hits and one walk across 7.1 innings, so the Pirates could be incentivized to continue deploying him as a bulk reliever rather than a traditional starter.

Means (elbow) struck out four over five innings Wednesday and allowed three earned runs on six hits and two walks in a rehab start for Triple-A Norfolk.

The veteran lefty's 30-day rehab assignment window will come to a close Friday, so his start Wednesday was presumably his last in the minors before he returns from the 60-day injured list. Means pitched five innings in each of his final two rehab starts with Norfolk, tossing 67 pitches (45 strikes) on Wednesday after throwing 86 pitches in his prior appearance. He turned in a 3.74 ERA, 1.15 WHIP and 22:8 K:BB in 21.2 innings over his six rehab outings between Norfolk and Double-A Bowie as he works his way back from April 2022 Tommy John surgery. The Orioles have already moved Cole Irvin to the bullpen to facilitate Means' addition to the team's six-man rotation, though manager Brandon Hyde told Andy Kostka of TheBaltimoreBanner.com earlier this week that Baltimore could downsize to a five-man unit as the postseason approaches. Even in that case, Means might remain in a starting role. Both Jack Flaherty and Kyle Gibson have struggled of late, and while rookie Grayson Rodriguez has been excellent since rejoining the Orioles after the All-Star break, the organization may have some desire to keep his innings in check down the stretch.