MLB Player News

Cruz picked up the save Wednesday against the White Sox, striking out two and allowing one hit in a scoreless ninth inning.

Cruz bounced back from the loss in his last outing to earn his eighth save of the year. The 27-year-old put down two straight White Sox before Braden Montgomery hit a single, but Cruz locked down Sam Antonacci and got him to fly out to give the Royals the 5-4 win. The righty has gotten all his saves since the All-Star break, and has pitched a 3.62 ERA with an impressive 25:2 K:BB over 27.1 innings in that time.

Fedde took a no-decision against the Royals on Wednesday, allowing one run (none earned) on four hits and two walks in 2.2 relief innings. He struck out two.

Fedde took over for Bryan Hudson after Hudson allowed three runs to score and only registering one out. The right-hander was probably not meant to enter the game this early, but was able to provide clean innings so the White Sox could come back. The 33-year-old Fedde has posted a 3.83 ERA, 1.35 WHIP and 99:52 K:BB in 141 innings and 15 starts this season. The veteran may appear again out of the bullpen as the White Sox have still not clinched a playoff spot.

Lugo allowed four runs on seven hits and no walks while striking out three batters over 3.1 innings in a no-decision against the White Sox on Wednesday.

Lugo got six straight outs to start the game, but allowed all of the games' damage in the third inning when the White Sox got four runs off of five hits and 2 hit-by-pitches. The 36-year-old leaves this start allowing the most hits (200) and second most earned runs (99) in the American League. This is likely Lugo's last outing of the 2026 season.

Wetherholt went 3-for-4 with an RBI and a run scored in Wednesday's 5-1 win over the Pirates.

Wetherholt provided the Cardinals with a steady presence at the plate, reaching base four times and scoring the first run of the game off of a Alec Burleson single. The rookie has gone 6-for-20 (.300) since being activated from the injured list (wrist) on September 16. He's closing out a productive rookie campaign with a .710 OPS, 17 home runs, 14 stolen bases and 51 RBI over 136 games and providing excellent defense at second base.

Lowe went 2-for-4 with a solo home run in Wednesday's 5-1 loss to the Cardinals

The 32-year-old supplied the only offense for the Pirates when he crushed a Matthew Liberatore pitch nearly into the Allegheny River. This was Lowe's 34th home run of the year, which is his most since the 2021 season when he hit 39 for the Rays. Lowe has been hot in September, slashing .338/.413/.620 with two doubles, six homers, 12 RBI and 12 runs.

Liberatore (6-14) gave up one run on six hits and no walks while striking out six over 5.2 innings to earn the win Wednesday versus the Pirates.

Liberatore picked up his first victory since July 11, which came against Atlanta just before the All-Star break. During the winless stretch, the left-hander tossed 61.1 innings with a 5.58 ERA and 1.45 WHIP with eight losses in 11 outings. The 26-year-old pitched great Wednesday in Pittsburgh, with the only damage against him coming via a solo homer by Brandon Lowe. It was Liberatore's final start of the campaign, and he'll end 2026 with a disappointing 5.23 ERA, 1.47 WHIP and 154:55 K:BB across 155 innings.

Espino will serve as the opening pitcher during Thursday's game against the Red Sox, Zack Meisel of The Athletic reports.

Espino gave up three earned runs in one inning during his most recent appearance while working as an opener last Friday against the A's, but Cleveland will give him an opportunity to redeem himself Thursday. He'll likely remain in the game for an inning or two before handing the ball over to bulk reliever Joey Cantillo.

Manager Craig Counsell said after Wednesday's loss to Miami that Gausman is dealing with left shoulder soreness, Tony Andracki of Marquee Sports Network reports.

Gausman's shoulder was extended awkwardly as he dove to tag a runner out at third base in the sixth inning. He was removed from the game immediately afterward, though the fact that his pitch count had reached 101 at that point may also have factored into Counsell's decision to take him out. The Cubs will monitor his status over the next couple of days before determining his status for the wild-card round.

Stowers went 1-for-4 with a two-run home run in Wednesday's 3-2 win over the Cubs.

Stowers pushed his hitting streak up to four games with the homer. The slugging first baseman has now left the yard in back-to-back games as he tries to end a somewhat disappointing campaign for Miami on a high note. After submitting a .912 OPS for the Marlins in 2025, Stowers is slashing .240/.331/.460 with 21 long balls, 65 RBI and 57 runs scored over 511 plate appearances in 2026.

Alcantara notched the save Wednesday against the Cubs, allowing one hit and no walks in a scoreless ninth inning.

The Marlins deployed Alcantara as their closer for the second time this month, and the hurler induced a game-ending double play to seal it for Miami. The right-hander threw just 12 pitches Wednesday, so he remains firmly on track to take his next and final turn in the rotation Saturday against Atlanta. He has a 3.89 ERA, 1.23 WHIP and 152:59 K:BB across 213 innings, converting both of his save opportunities as well.