MLB Player News

Houser (forearm) is expected to have a normal offseason throwing program and be ready for spring training, Justice delos Santos of The San Jose Mercury News reports.

Houser missed the final month-plus of the regular season while dealing with a right forearm strain. He will continue going through physical therapy for now but is expected to begin his offseason throwing at his normal time. Houser posted a 4.02 ERA and 75:34 K:BB over 109.2 innings in 2026 across 16 starts and 10 relief outings.

Gage (elbow) has been fully cleared and will have a normal offseason, Justice delos Santos of The San Jose Mercury News reports.

Gage had to be pulled off his rehab assignment Sept. 1 due to renewed discomfort in his left elbow, but he's recovered well since then and heads into the offseason sans limitations. The southpaw held a 5.60 ERA and 22:17 K:BB over 27.1 frames this season.

Steele (elbow) is not on the Cubs' roster for their wild-card series versus the Padres, Meghan Montemurro of the Chicago Tribune reports.

Steele has been out all season while recovering from UCL revision surgery and a flexor strain. He is physically ready to pitch now, having made four rehab appearances this month, but the Cubs have decided he's not a fit for their playoff roster. Steele could earn consideration in subsequent rounds, if his team advances.

Thielbar is not on the Cubs' roster for their NL Wild Card Series against the Padres, Meghan Montemurro of the Chicago Tribune reports.

Thielbar carried a 60:18 K:BB over 50 regular-season innings, but he also had a 4.86 ERA and served up a whopping 11 home runs. The lefty could be under consideration for the NLDS roster, should the Cubs advance.

Gausman (shoulder) is on the Cubs' roster for the wild-card series against the Padres, Jared Wyllys of AllCHGO.com reports.

Gausman injured his left (non-throwing) shoulder during his final start of the regular season last Wednesday. The Cubs have not yet announced their probable starters for Game 2 on Wednesday or a potential Game 3 on Thursday, but it's likely Gausman will start one of those contests. Gausman logged a 4.83 ERA and 57:11 K:BB over 50.1 innings in nine starts after the Cubs acquired him at the trade deadline.

Adames (elbow) has been cleared to go through his normal offseason workout routine, Justice delos Santos of The San Jose Mercury News reports.

Adames went down with a left (non-throwing) elbow sprain in late August, but he was ramping up workouts toward the end of the regular season and will not have any restrictions over the winter. The veteran shortstop put together a .230/.289/.424 batting line with 21 home runs over 121 games for the Giants this season.

Meidroth (hamstring) will start at second base and bat eighth Tuesday in Game 1 of the American League Wild Card series in Houston.

Meidroth's final regular-season start came last Thursday, as he dealt with a left hamstring issue down the stretch. He did appear off the bench Saturday, and the infielder is ready to give it a go in his first career postseason contest. Meidroth was one of the White Sox's better hitters in the second half, slashing .286/.364/.473 with nine home runs.

The Padres activated Musgrove (elbow) from the 60-day injured list Tuesday, Dennis Lin of The Athletic reports.

Musgrove has not pitched in a major-league game in nearly two full years. He had Tommy John surgery in October 2024, had a setback during spring training and was then slowed earlier this month because he was having difficult recovering in between rehab starts. However, Musgrove was never shut down from throwing, and he's made enough progress to convince the Padres to include him on their roster for their NL Wild Card Series against the Cubs. Musgrove will be available in a relief role.

Marlins president of baseball operations Peter Bendix said Tuesday that Snelling (elbow) is expected to be throwing off a mound during spring training and should be game-ready by May or June, Isaac Azout of FishOnFirst.com reports.

Snelling required an internal brace surgery in May to repair a UCL tear in his left elbow. The recovery time for that type of procedure is shorter than that of a Tommy John rehab, giving Snelling a chance to contribute to the Marlins at some point before the All-Star break next season. The left-hander yielded three runs in five innings in his major-league debut in 2026, and he's been dominant at Triple-A Jacksonville the last two seasons while pitching to a 1.46 ERA and 132:33 K:BB over 98.2 frames.

Marlins president of baseball operations Peter Bendix said Tuesday that Mazur (elbow) should be ready to pitch in games by April or May of next season, Isaac Azout of FishOnFirst.com reports.

Mazur underwent UCL reconstruction surgery with an internal brace in March. He had been tentatively expected to begin a throwing program in September, though it's unclear whether he's checked that box yet. Mazur might not be an option for the Marlins until around midseason in 2027, as he'll likely require time in the minors to knock the rust off.