MLB Player News

Luzardo (shoulder) played catch on flat ground Sunday, Matt Gelb of The Athletic reports.

Luzardo was shut down for nine days due to left shoulder inflammation, but he was cleared to play catch after the stiffness dissipated and he regained range of motion in the shoulder. The left-hander will not return from the 15-day injured list before the end of the regular season, but the Phillies are "very optimistic" about Luzardo's progress, per president of baseball operations Dave Dombrowski. If Luzardo is ready for the wild-card round, the Phillies could use him in a relief role since he won't have his stamina rebuilt enough to start.

Misiorowski allowed a hit and struck out four without walking a batter over three shutout innings in a no-decision versus the Orioles on Sunday. Per Adam McCalvy of MLB.com, this was an intentionally planned short outing for Misiorowski to keep his innings in check ahead of the postseason.

McCalvy adds that Misiorowski is expected to see more regular usage in his last projected start of the regular season at home versus the Cardinals, which will line him up to take the mound during the NLDS. Since the All-Star break, Misiorowski has allowed just 16 runs (15 earned) over 58.1 innings, adding an 80:15 K:BB in that span. For the year, he's at a 1.86 ERA, 0.80 WHIP and 247:42 K:BB through 169.1 innings over 29 starts. The good news for fantasy managers is that Misiorowski is expected to have one more start even if the Brewers clinch everything they can before it's his turn to pitch again.

Wilkinson did not factor into the decision Sunday, allowing three hits and no walks over five scoreless innings against the Dodgers. He struck out six.

Wilkinson silenced the Dodgers offense, spinning five shutout innings before departing at 76 pitches (51 strikes). Sunday marked the rookie's first start since Sept. 4, as his previous two outings came from the bullpen. In seven appearances (five starts), the southpaw owns a 1-3 record with a 3.65 ERA, 1.01 WHIP and 18:4 K:BB in 24.2 frames. Should Wilkinson remain in the rotation, he's lined up to start Saturday in a rematch with Los Angeles.

Young (9-5) allowed two runs on three hits and three walks while striking out nine over six innings to take the loss versus the Brewers on Sunday.

Young had a decent performance, but he didn't get any run support. The nine strikeouts were a season high for the right-hander, who continues to produce mostly good outings despite being winless over his last seven games. He's at a 3.62 ERA, 1.36 WHIP and 127:58 K:BB through 151.2 innings over 27 starts this season. He's projected to wrap up his campaign with a road matchup against the Yankees.

Sheehan did not factor into the decision Sunday, allowing a hit and a walk while striking out nine over 5.1 scoreless innings of bulk relief against the Giants.

Entering in the second inning after Jack Dreyer, Sheehan was dominant in bulk relief, allowing just two batters to reach on his watch. The 26-year-old has looked phenomenal in three September appearances, permitting just one run over 17 innings with a 24:3 K:BB. On the year, the right-hander owns a 5-8 record with a 4.57 ERA, 1.18 WHIP and 132:33 K:BB in 112.1 innings (23 appearances). With several moving parts in the Dodgers rotation, it remains to be seen if Sheehan will log another regular-season outing, but if he does, it'll likely come on the road against the Giants over the weekend.

Ober picked up the save Sunday against the Angels. He allowed a hit and no walks while striking out three over three scoreless innings.

Making the first relief appearance of his career, Ober spun three shutout innings to pick up the save. Over his past seven appearances, the right-hander has posted a 3.55 ERA, 1.39 WHIP and 28:12 K:BB across 33 innings. Overall, the 31-year-old owns a 4.21 ERA, 1.26 WHIP and 91:36 K:BB in 126 innings (24 outings). It remains to be seen if Ober will return to the rotation or remain in a bullpen role to close the season.

Johnson (5-9) took the loss Sunday, allowing three runs on seven hits, no walks and a hit-by-pitch over 4.2 innings against the Twins. He struck out six.

Johnson's stellar run of late hit a speed bump Sunday, as he was unable to complete five frames in the loss. The young right-hander has posted a 2.48 ERA, 1.05 WHIP and 33:12 K:BB over 40 innings in his past seven starts. Johnson owns a 4.93 ERA, 1.35 WHIP and 76:39 K:BB in 95 innings (21 appearances) and is lined up to make his final start of the season Saturday against the Mariners.

Kremer (4-5) earned the win Sunday, allowing a hit, three walks and a hit-by-pitch over six scoreless innings against the Angels. He struck out eight.

Kremer was excellent, with the only hit he allowed being a single in the fourth inning. Since joining the Twins at the trade deadline, the right-hander has compiled a 3-1 record with a 3.80 ERA, 1.08 WHIP and 44:18 K:BB in 47.1 innings (nine starts). With an overall 4.97 ERA, 1.20 WHIP and 82:29 K:BB across 83.1 innings (16 starts), Kremer is lined up to make his final start of the season Saturday against the Rangers.

Sugano (12-11) took the loss Sunday, allowing one run on a hit and two walks over five innings against the Mariners. He struck out five.

Sugano was more than serviceable across five frames, especially at home at Coors Field, but a lack of offense from the Rockies saddled the right-hander with the loss. He has now lost six of his past seven starts, with his last win coming Aug. 11. With a 5.36 ERA, 1.33 WHIP and 91:36 K:BB in 147.2 innings (28 starts), Sugano is tentatively scheduled to make his final start of the season Saturday against the White Sox.

McClanahan (forearm) will not return before the conclusion of the regular season, Marc Topkin of the Tampa Bay Times reports.

McClanahan played catch Friday, and manager Kevin Cash described it as a "good" session for the southpaw. McClanahan has been sidelined since Sept. 4 while nursing left forearm tightness, and he will now shift his sights on potentially being available for Tampa Bay during the postseason.