MLB Player News

Strider (oblique) has not been cleared to resume throwing, Mark Bowman of MLB.com reports.

Strider won't be returning during the regular season, but Atlanta hopes to make another deep playoff run, so Strider's status remains relevant. He has not pitched since Sept. 18 due to an oblique strain.

McCullers (illness) is targeting a return Monday against the Phillies, Neil Solondz of the Rays Radio Network reports.

McCullers missed his start Tuesday against the Diamondbacks due to an illness, but it looks as though he might only need to miss one turn in the rotation. He threw Friday and is in line for one more start before the end of the regular season, assuming he's cleared to pitch.

Smyly (shoulder) is scheduled to start Saturday against the Reds, Tony Andracki of Marquee Sports Network reports.

Smyly threw his second bullpen session of the week Thursday and will start Saturday after being unavailable the past couple weeks with shoulder fatigue. It will be the final start of 2022 for the veteran lefty, who has a 3.48 ERA, 1.19 WHIP and 89:26 K:BB across 103.1 innings this season.

Flexen (8-9) got the win in extra innings over the Rangers on Thursday, allowing an unearned run over one inning without any hits, walks or strikeouts.

Flexen gave up a sacrifice fly to Marcus Semien that plated phantom runner Leody Taveras with the go-ahead run in the top of the 11th, but the Mariners walked it off in the home half of the frame with singles from Luis Torrens and J.P. Crawford. The veteran right-hander's last win had come July 25 against this same Rangers squad when he was still working as a starter, yet Flexen has adapted well to a relief role by not allowing an earned run across the 9.2 innings covering his last eight appearances.

Smyly (shoulder) threw a bullpen session Thursday, Tony Andracki of Marquee Sports Network reports.

Smyly also threw off a mound Tuesday, and he's felt good following each throwing session. Manager David Ross said Wednesday that he expects Smyly to make one more start prior to the end of the regular season, but it's not yet clear when that could occur.

Miley (oblique) threw a bullpen session Wednesday, Tony Andracki of Marquee Sports Network reports.

Miley has been dealing with left oblique tightness recently and was able to resume mound work after playing catch Tuesday. He felt good after Wednesday's throwing session, but it's not yet clear whether the Cubs expect him to make another start prior to the end of the regular season.

Cavalli (shoulder) played catch from 60 feet Friday and said he felt no pain, Mark Zuckerman of MASNSports.com reports.

The 24-year-old was shut down with shoulder discomfort in mid-September and received a cortisone injection, but he's now resumed a throwing program. Cavalli obviously won't return during the final week of the season but is on track to be healthy for spring training in February, when he'll compete for a spot in Washington's 2023 rotation.

Corbin (back) is scheduled to start Sunday's game against the Phillies, Jessica Camerato of MLB.com reports.

Corbin had his last turn through the rotation skipped after he exited his start against Atlanta on Sept. 20 with back spasms, but he'll rejoin the rotation Sunday for his final start of 2022. The veteran left-hander has a 3.20 ERA, 1.02 WHIP and 11:1 K:BB across 19.2 innings through three starts in September, and he'll attempt to finish the campaign with another strong outing.

Gore (elbow) won't make a start for the Nationals prior to the end of the regular season, Mark Zuckerman of MASNSports.com reports.

The Nationals hoped that Gore would be able to make his debut for the team prior to the end of the season, but he'll be held out due to uncertain weather. However, he feels healthy heading into the offseason and expects to be back to 100 percent in time for spring training in 2023.

Sanchez was recalled from Triple-A Lehigh Valley to serve as the 29th man for Friday's doubleheader against the Nationals.

Sanchez has made his last three major-league appearances out of the bullpen, allowing 10 runs on 12 hits and seven walks while striking out nine in 7.1 innings over that stretch. The southpaw should be available as a multi-inning option out of the Phillies' bullpen during Friday's twin bill.