MLB Player News

Stephenson went 4-for-5 with a double and a solo home run in Wednesday's 4-3 extra-innings loss to the Pirates.

The veteran catcher kept the Reds alive by launching a slider from Bucs closer Dennis Santana over the fence in left-center field in the ninth inning, tying the game at 2-2, but Cincy couldn't close the deal. Stephenson has been a big part of the team's surge into playoff contention since coming off the IL in early September, and over his last 13 games he's slashing .275/.341/.650 with three doubles, four homers and 13 RBI. The Reds are tied with the Diamondbacks, one game back of the Mets for the final wild-card spot in the NL with four to play.

Greene didn't factor into the decision in Wednesday's 4-3 extra-innings loss to the Pirates, giving up two runs on five hits and two walks over six innings. He struck out seven.

Matched up against NL Cy Young Award favorite Paul Skenes, Greene came through with his 11th quality start of the season, but he still exited the mound after 96 pitches (63 strikes) with the Reds in a 2-0 hole -- only for late homers by Noelvi Marte and Tyler Stephenson to get Greene off the hook for his fifth loss of the season. Cincy is one game back of the final wild-card spot with four to play as the Reds duke it out with the Mets and Diamondbacks for a playoff berth, so Greene could be needed over the weekend if the season is on the line. If not, he wraps up his 2025 campaign with a 2.76 ERA, 0.94 WHIP and 132:26 K:BB over 107.2 innings.

Horwitz went 3-for-5 with two doubles and three RBI in Wednesday's 4-3 extra-innings win over the Reds.

The 27-year-old first baseman dealt a potentially fatal blow to Cincinnati's playoff hopes when he launched his second two-bagger of the night into the right-field corner to lead off the 11th inning, bringing Bryan Reynolds home as the phantom runner. Horwitz is finishing up his 2025 campaign in style, slashing .300/.397/.540 over his last 16 games with six doubles, two homers, seven runs and eight RBI.

Santana gave up a run on two hits in 1.1 innings Wednesday to blow his third save of the season in a 4-3 extra-innings win over the Reds. He struck out two without walking a batter.

The right-hander got taken deep by Tyler Stephenson in the ninth inning to tie the game at 2-2, only for the Pirates to pull out the win in the 11th. Santana may not have a classic closer's arsenal, averaging 94.8 mph on his fastball, but he's been very effective this year in a high-leverage role, recording four wins, 15 saves and 12 holds with a 2.24 ERA, 0.88 WHIP and 58:17 K:BB through 68.1 innings.

Skenes came away with a no-decision in Wednesday's 4-3 extra-innings win over the Reds, allowing four hits over six scoreless innings. He struck out seven without walking a batter.

The young ace made his closing statement on a strong NL Cy Young Award case, racking up 18 swinging strikes among his 85 pitches (57 total strikes), and Skenes left the mound in line for his 11th win of the season before Dennis Santana blew the save in the ninth. Skenes leads the Senior Circuit in ERA (1.97) and WHIP (0.95) and is tied for the lead with Logan Webb and Jesus Luzardo in strikeouts at 216, although Webb lines up for one more outing this weekend.

Ozuna went 1-for-2 with a solo home run and a pair of walks in Wednesday's 4-3 loss to the Nationals.

Ozuna cut Atlanta's deficit to 4-2 in the eighth inning with a 404-foot blast off Jackson Rutledge. It was Ozuna's 21st homer of the year and his first in 33 games. It's been a disappointing year overall for the 34-year-old Ozuna, though he's swung the bat better of late, going 13-for-42 (.310) with an .884 OPS in his last 12 contests.

Gray said Wednesday that he will "definitely" consider waiving his no-trade clause this offseason in order to facilitate a deal to a contender, Derrick Goold of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch reports.

Gray declined to waive his no-trade clause when asked last offseason, but he's had a change of heart as the Cardinals continue their rebuilding phase. The right-hander is owed $35 million in 2026 and has a $5 million buyout on a $30 million club option for 2027, so it's a substantial chunk of salary for a contender to take on. However, there is sure to be plenty of interest after Gray had another strong season, posting a 4.28 ERA (3.39 FIP) and 201:38 K:BB over 180.2 innings.

Leahy is an option to start the final game of the season Sunday against the Cubs, Derrick Goold of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch reports.

It would be a sneak peek at Leahy as a starting pitcher as the Cardinals consider moving him into the rotation next season. All 97 of Leahy's appearances at the big-league level to this point have come in relief, though he has often gone multiple innings in his outings this season. The righty might be capable of covering 3-to-4 innings Sunday, but it would essentially be a bullpen game for the Cardinals.

Liberatore is no longer scheduled to start during this weekend's series against the Cubs, Derrick Goold of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch reports.

Liberatore has logged 151.2 innings in 2025, 65.2 more than he threw in 2024, so the Cardinals will shut the lefty down now that they're officially eliminated from playoff contention. The 25-year-old slowed considerably after an excellent first two months of the season, but he had a strong September and will finish with a 4.21 ERA, 1.31 WHIP and 122:40 K:BB over 29 starts in his first full season as a big-league starter. Liberatore is locked into a rotation spot in 2026 in what is looking like another rebuilding year in St. Louis.

Marte batted leadoff and went 3-for-5 with a double and two runs scored in Wednesday's 5-4 extra-innings loss to the Dodgers.

Marte scored after leading of the first inning with a double and then again as part of a three-run rally that he ignited with a single in the eighth to set up extra innings. He was in position to score a third run as the designated runner in the 10th with the team's best hitters due up. However, manager Torey Lovullo opted to have Geraldo Perdomo sacrifice bunt Marte to third, which prompted two intentional walks before the Dodgers got out unscathed. The Diamondbacks still remain one game out of the wild-card spot, and Marte has been instrumental in the club's drive. He's gone 12-for-32 (.375) with four doubles, one home run, five RBI and five runs scored over the last seven contests.