MLB Player News

Matthews didn't factor into the decision in Wednesday's 5-4 extra-innings win over the Yankees, allowing two hits and two walks over six scoreless innings. He struck out eight.

The 26-year-old right-hander put together one of his best performances of the season, firing 63 of 97 pitches for strikes, and Matthews left the mound in line for his 10th win of the year before both bullpens got squirrelly as the game went to 13 innings. The quality start was Matthews' 11th of the season, and three of them have come in his last five outings -- a stretch in which he's produced a 3.45 ERA, 0.94 WHIP and 26:8 K:BB over 28.2 innings. He's set to make what could be his final start of 2026 on the road early next week in San Francisco.

Rodon didn't factor into the decision in Wednesday's 5-4 extra-innings loss to the Twins, allowing two runs on four hits and three walks over six innings. He struck out five.

The veteran southpaw left the mound after 102 pitches (59 strikes) with the Yankees down 2-0, but they were able to tie it up in the ninth and take Rodon off the hook for his fourth loss. Rodon has produced back-to-back quality starts, giving him five on the season in 15 trips to the mound. Since coming off the IL in mid-August, he's delivered a 2.40 ERA, 0.93 WHIP and 31:12 K:BB over 30 innings. He lines up to make what will likely be his final start of the regular season at home next week against the Rays, in a game that could still have huge significance in the race for the AL East title.

Scherzer (3-8) earned the win Wednesday against the Tigers, allowing a run on three hits and three walks over five innings. He struck out three.

It was a strong bounce-back effort from Scherzer, who gave up six runs over five innings in a loss to Baltimore his last time out. The veteran right-hander allowed a two-out run in the first inning before settling in and blanking Detroit over his final four frames. Scherzer's ERA now sits at 6.07 through 16 starts (72.2 innings) this season with a 1.36 WHIP and 54:31 K:BB. He's currently in line to face the Orioles on the road his next time out.

Liberatore didn't factor into the decision in Wednesday's 6-5 extra-inning loss to the Giants, allowing one run on six hits and three walks over six innings. He struck out two.

The left-hander tossed 51 of 81 pitches for strikes en route to his seventh quality start of the season, but he exited the mound in line for his 15th loss with the Cardinals down 1-0 before the two bullpens took turns making a mess. It's just the second time in his last eight outings that Liberatore has lasted six innings, a bumpy stretch that's seen him post a 6.42 ERA, 1.48 WHIP and 41:14 K:BB through 40.2 innings. He'll look to wrap up his regular season on a high note on the road next week in Pittsburgh.

Snell was removed after the first inning of Wednesday's start against the Reds due to left groin tightness.

Snell went to the clubhouse with trainers after the first inning, and further tests revealed that the veteran southpaw picked up a groin injury. He'll need to be evaluated further to determine the severity of the injury, but Fabian Ardaya of The Athletic points out that Snell has a history of left groin/adductor injuries. That puts Snell in danger of missing the rest of the regular season and jeopardizes his availability for the playoffs.

Snell (undisclosed) left after the first inning of Wednesday's start against the Reds, Noah Camras of SI.com reports.

Snell tossed 19 pitches and recorded one strikeout in the first inning, but he proceeded to go into the clubhouse with a trainer at the conclusion of the frame, with Blake Treinen taking the mound in the second. The Dodgers should have an update during or shortly after Wednesday's game once Snell is evaluated further.

Molina didn't factor into the decision in Wednesday's 6-5 extra-inning win over the Cardinals, allowing two hits and a walk over 5.2 scoreless innings. He struck out six.

The right-hander fell just short of his first career quality start, getting lifted after 82 pitches (57 strikes) with the Giants ahead 1-0, but both bullpens had trouble closing the door in the late innings. It was a strong rebound from Molina after he got tagged for seven runs in three frames in his last outing. Since shifting into the rotation in late August he's produced a 4.82 ERA, 1.18 WHIP and 22:4 K:BB over 18.2 innings. Molina is scheduled to make what could be his final start of the season at home early next week against the Twins.

Messick (12-9) picked up the win Wednesday, giving up three runs on seven hits over six innings in a 6-3 win over the White Sox. He struck out eight without walking a batter.

The southpaw fired 62 of 86 pitches for strikes in an impressive outing that helped Cleveland claim first place in the AL Central for the first time since July 4. The quality start was Messick's 14th of the season, and he hasn't been tagged for more than three runs in an outing since June 29, posting a 2.21 ERA, 1.01 WHIP and 80:18 K:BB in 77.1 innings over that span. He's set to make what will likely be his final start of the regular season on the road next week in Boston.

Kay didn't factor into the decision in Wednesday's 6-3 loss to the Guardians, allowing two unearned runs on two hits and two walks over four innings. He struck out three.

A Chase Meidroth error in the third inning opened the door for both runs against Kay, but the southpaw was still fairly sharp over 66 pitches (40 strikes). Kay hasn't worked five full frames in any of his last five outings, so he would likely need to come in behind an opener to have any chance of picking up his 10th win of the season. His 7.06 ERA, 1.52 WHIP and 17:8 K:BB in 21.2 innings over that five-game stretch isn't particularly fantasy-friendly either. He lines up to make his next trip to the mound on the road early next week in Kansas City.

Sasaki (finger) tossed 48 pitches during his live bullpen session Wednesday, Jack Harris of the California Post reports.

Sasaki's live session Wednesday came in lieu of a start that he originally lined up to make against the Reds on Thursday. Dodgers manager Dave Roberts told reporters that Sasaki's session went well, and the team will now decide whether the right-hander returns as a starter or reliever for the rest of the regular season. Sasaki figures to operate out of the bullpen during the playoffs, though he would be an option for the rotation if a spot opens up due to injury.