MLB Player News

Yamamoto did not factor into the decision in Sunday's 6-5 win over the Rockies, allowing four runs on five hits and three walks while striking out four over three innings.

Yamamoto was unusually wild in Sunday's outing, walking three batters for the first time in his MLB career and throwing just his second wild pitch all season. The Rockies nearly batted around the order against him in the first inning, which led to three runs before later adding a fourth in the third. It was the 26-year-old righty's worst outing in three starts since returning from the injured list, and he lines up for a road rematch in Colorado this weekend. Yamamoto now owns a 2.96 ERA, 1.13 WHIP and 99:22 K:BB in 85 innings during his rookie season.

Pearson is slated to serve as the Cubs' opening pitcher for Monday's game against the Phillies, Andy Martinez of Marquee Sports Network reports.

Pearson will be making his major-league start since 2021, when he was a member of the Blue Jays. He made the full-time conversion to the bullpen in 2022 and hasn't covered more than two innings in any appearance since being acquired by the Cubs in late July, so Pearson likely won't cover more than the opening frame or two before giving way to the bullpen. Hayden Wesneski, who was activated from the 15-day injured list Friday, is a candidate to be used in bulk relief once Pearson is done for the day.

Chapman struck out two in a flawless ninth inning to pick up his 11th save of the season Sunday against the Reds.

Called upon with a two-run lead in the ninth, Chapman quickly dispatched the heart of the Reds order to earn his 11th save of the season. Chapman has been outstanding since taking over the closer role from David Bednar in late August, collecting a save in each of his last five appearances. The veteran enters the last week of the season with a 3.97 ERA, 1.39 WHIP and 94:39 K:BB with 22 holds while converting 11 of 16 saves.

Walker struck out one batter in a scoreless inning and earned a save over the Royals on Sunday.

Walker made his first appearance since coughing up two runs against Baltimore on Thursday. He hit MJ Melendez to start his outing Sunday but retired the next three batters to finish off the 2-0 win. Walker has converted each of his nine save chances since Camilo Doval was briefly sent to Triple-A Sacramento on Aug. 9. Walker owns an impressive 1.96 ERA with a 99:17 K:BB through 78 innings this season.

Snell (5-3) allowed two hits and a walk over six shutout frames Sunday, striking out nine and earning a win over the Royals.

Snell did not allow a runner to reach scoring position in his dominant performance. He generated 12 whiffs on 88 total pitches and, at one point, struck out five straight batters. Snell has yielded two or fewer runs in eight consecutive starts, resulting in a terrific 1.31 ERA and 65:19 K:BB during that span. He owns a 3.12 ERA through 104 innings this season, but looking at his numbers since returning from the injured list July 9, that number drops to 1.23 through 80.1 frames. Snell's final start of the 2024 campaign is projected to be next weekend at home against the Cardinals.

Greene (9-5) took the loss Sunday against the Pirates, allowing one earned run on two hits and one walk while striking out four in three innings.

Making his first start since Aug. 13, Greene threw only 45 pitches in his three innings of work. Greene allowed a solo home run to Oneil Cruz in the opening frame, but he shook off the rust afterwards, allowing just two more baserunners while striking out four. The 25-year-old's workload will be heavily scrutinized next weekend against the Cubs in what will be the final start of Greene's breakout 2024 season. The right-hander currently sports a robust 2.83 ERA, 1.02 WHIP and 166:54 K:BB in 146.1 innings (25 starts).

Skenes (11-3) pitched five shutout innings to pick up the win Sunday against Cincinnati, allowing two hits and zero walks while striking out nine.

Skenes was flawless outside of a pair of singles, racking up 25 called-plus-swinging strikes en route to nine strikeouts. Skenes threw a season-low 73 pitches Sunday after throwing 98 or more in each of his previous three starts. The 22-year-old is tentatively scheduled to start next weekend against the Yankees, but the Pirates are sure to be very cautious with their prized rookie in his final start of a lost season. If this is it, Skenes would finish a historic rookie season with a sparkling 1.99 ERA, 0.96 WHIP and 167:32 K:BB in 131 innings (22 starts).

Payamps (forearm) made relief appearances Tuesday, Friday and Sunday, covering a scoreless inning in each outing while racking up six strikeouts and allowing one hit and one walk.

Payamps exited a relief appearance Sept. 15 against the Diamondbacks due to right forearm tightness, but he quickly dispelled any concern about his health by playing catch a day later. He's since gone on to deliver three dominant appearances in a row and has yet to allow an earned run in any of his last nine outings out of the Milwaukee bullpen. Payamps will be locked into a key setup role in front of closer Devin Williams heading into the postseason.

Hall made appearances out of the bullpen in Friday's 7-4 loss to the Diamondbacks and in Sunday's 10-9 win in the series finale with Arizona, giving up four earned runs on five hits and one walk while striking out four in 3.1 innings between the two outings.

Hall made a spot start last Sunday -- also against the Diamondbacks -- but shifted back to the bullpen while the Brewers scaled back to a five-man rotation. The southpaw could be a candidate to make another spot start during the final week of the regular season if the Brewers' postseason seeding is solidified and the team wants to prioritize ordering its rotation for the playoffs.

Manager Craig Counsell said after Sunday's 5-0 win over the Nationals that Happ was scratched from the lineup due to lower back tightness, Tim Stebbins of MLB.com reports.

Happ was set to start in left field and bat in the leadoff spot, but his back issue forced him to sit for Sunday's series finale, and the 30-year-old outfielder is considered day-to-day with the injury. Since Sept. 1, Happ has slashed .284/.333/.395 with two home runs and nine RBI over 87 plate appearances.