Taillon (12-8) earned the win Friday over Cincinnati, allowing four hits and two walks over seven scoreless innings. He struck out two.

It was an excellent finish to the year for Taillon, who delivered 13 scoreless innings while allowing just six hits over his final two starts. The right-hander posted a stellar 0.84 ERA in his last five outings (32 innings). It was a strong season overall for the 32-year-old Taillon -- he posted a 3.27 ERA, his lowest mark since 2018, with a 1.13 WHIP and 125:33 K:BB across 165.1 innings.

The Rangers optioned Leiter to Triple-A Round Rock on Friday.

Leiter's first season in the majors is in the books following Friday's transaction. He appeared in nine games (six starts) for the Rangers this season, posting an 0-3 record with an 8.83 ERA, 1.71 WHIP and 31:17 K:BB across 35.2 innings. Most of his time this year was spent in Triple-A, where over 18 outings (16 starts) he registered a 6-4 record with a 3.51 ERA, 1.26 WHIP and 110:35 K:BB over 77 innings.

The Giants optioned Black to Triple-A Sacramento on Friday, Maria I. Guardado of MLB.com reports.

Black was saddled with his fifth loss of the season Wednesday versus Arizona, allowing four earned runs on five hits and five walks across just 2.2 innings. Now that his spot in the rotation won't be needed for the rest of the season, the Giants will send him back to the minors and insert Randy Rodriguez (elbow) back into their bullpen.

Arrighetti (calf) will pitch out of the bullpen for the weekend series against the Guardians, Chandler Rome of The Athletic reports.

Arrighetti was pulled from his last start Sunday against the Angels due to calf cramping. While he won't return to the rotation for the final series of the regular season, the 24-year-old right-hander could see some work out of the bullpen for a game or two to test out his calf ahead of the postseason. In 11 starts since the All-Star break, Arrighetti has a 3-6 record with a 3.30 ERA, 1.16 WHIP and 74:18 K:BB across 62.2 innings.

Washington optioned Herz to the Florida Complex League Nationals on Friday, Bobby Blanco of MASNSports.com reports.

With Herz not scheduled to start during the weekend series against the Phillies, the Nationals will switch out the 23-year-old southpaw for long reliever Jackson Rutledge. Herz started 19 games for the Nationals this season, posting a 4-9 record with a 4.16 ERA, 1.26 WHIP and 106:36 K:BB across 88.2 innings. He was briefly sent down to Triple-A Rochester in early July, but he returned to the big club after the All-Star break. Since his recall, his numbers slightly improved to a 3.61 ERA and 1.19 WHIP over 57.1 frames.

The Nationals recalled Rutledge on Friday, Bobby Blanco of MASNSports.com reports.

The move gives the Nationals a long-relief option out of the bullpen for the final series of the season against the Phillies. Rutledge last pitched for the Nats on July 12, when he allowed two runs on three hits and two walks while striking out six over 4.2 innings. He's spent most of the season with Triple-A Rochester, where he's posted a 4-9 record over 27 starts with a 6.40 ERA, 1.68 WHIP and 128:77 K:BB across 122.1 innings. To make room on the 28-man roster for Rutledge, Washington optioned DJ Herz to the Florida Complex League.

The Athletics reinstated Stripling (back) from the 15-day injured list Friday.

Stripling landed on the injured list Sept. 11 due to a lower-back strain and began facing live hitters again as recently as Tuesday. Now that he's healthy, he'll presumably take on a low-leverage role out of the bullpen for the final three games of the season. Meanwhile, Brady Basso will head to the Arizona Complex League in order to free up a roster spot.

Oakland optioned Basso to the Arizona Complex League Athletics on Friday.

The move makes room on the A's 28-man roster for the reinstatement of right-hander Ross Stripling (back) from the 15-day injured list. Basso has made four starts for the Athletics in September, going 1-1 with a 3.79 ERA, 1.32 WHIP and 16:5 K:BB over 19 innings.

Lopez (shoulder) threw a bullpen session Thursday and manager Brian Snitker said Friday that Lopez felt great and is ready to go when needed, Grant McAuley of 92.9 The Game Atlanta reports.

Atlanta's starters for Saturday and Sunday have yet to be determined, but Lopez appears to be firmly in the mix to take the mound on either day, or perhaps during Monday's doubleheader against the Mets. Per McAuley, Snitker also mentioned that Lopez wouldn't be under any major pitch count limitations if he were to start. Atlanta is one of three teams competing for the final two National League wild-card slots.

Gipson-Long (elbow) will begin a throwing program next week, Jason Beck of MLB.com reports.

It will be the first time he's thrown since he had Tommy John surgery in April. Gipson-Long could be an option to pitch for the Tigers around midseason in 2025.