MLB Player News

Kurtz went 3-for-5 with two home runs and three RBI during the Athletics' 11-5 loss to the Astros.

The Athletics trailed by as many as 10 runs in Thursday's contest, but Kurtz gave the home fans something to cheer for with a solo homer in the sixth inning and a two-run shot in the eighth. It was Kurtz's third multi-homer game of the season, and his 35 long balls lead all rookies and rank 12th in the majors. He has a 1.010 OPS in 477 plate appearances this season, which ranks second in the majors behind Aaron Judge (1.140) among players with at least 450 plate appearances.

May (elbow) will throw his second live bullpen session Friday, Christopher Smith of MassLive.com reports.

May threw a live bullpen session Tuesday and will follow that up with a second session Friday. He won't return during the regular season, but he is hoping to be healthy enough to be available for the postseason.

Ginn (4-7) took the loss against the Astros on Thursday, allowing seven runs on six hits and three walks while striking out four across 3.2 innings.

It was a rough final outing of the season for Ginn, who gave up five runs through the first two innings before yielding two more runs in the fourth. He managed to generate 13 whiffs on 81 pitches (47 strikes), but the seven runs he gave up were his most of the season -- a disappointing end to the 2025 campaign after he entered Thursday's contest having yielded two earned runs or fewer in each of his prior three starts. With the Athletics eliminated from playoff contention, Ginn will end the season with a 5.08 ERA, 1.36 WHIP and 99:31 K:BB across 90.1 innings.

Altuve went 2-for-3 with two RBI and two runs scored during the Astros' 11-5 win over the Athletics on Thursday.

Altuve was one of four Astros players to record two RBI or more in Thursday's series finale. He has tallied at least two hits in three of his last five games, going 7-for-17 (.412) with one steal and three RBI over that span.

Walker went 2-for-5 with a solo home run and two additional RBI during the Astros' 11-5 win over the Athletics on Thursday.

Walker collected an RBI in three separate plate appearances and capped things off with a solo shot to left field in the eighth to give the Astros a 10-run lead. Walker has seemingly broken out of his mini-slump, logging at least one hit in each of his last four games while going 6-for-17 (.353) over that span. He'll look to help the Astros make a final push for the playoffs in the upcoming weekend road series against the Angels.

Valdez (13-11) earned the win against the Athletics on Thursday, allowing one run on seven hits and two walks while striking out 10 batters across seven innings.

Valdez dominated the A's right out of the gate, striking out five of the first six batters he faced, He generated 17 whiffs on 92 pitches (65 strikes) and reached double-digit strikeouts for the fifth time this season. It was a welcome return to form for Valdez, who yielded five earned runs while failing to complete five innings in both of his prior two starts. He'll end the regular season with a 3.66 ERA, 1.24 WHIP and 187:68 K:BB across 192 innings.

Cubs manager Craig Counsell said Thursday that Horton (back) is a go and on track, but there are "areas of concern" in Horton's rib area from the MRI he had Wednesday, Sahadev Sharma of The Athletic reports.

The Cubs and Horton will continue to get information and have more doctors look at the MRI, but no more tests will be run. The right-hander was pulled from Tuesday's start versus the Mets due to back tightness, but now it appears that the main concern is with his ribs. It is expected that he will throw Friday after taking the prior two days off. If the rookie remains on track, he should be able to start in Game 1 of the NL Wild Card Series on Sept. 30.

Robles isn't in the lineup for Thursday's game versus the Rockies.

Robles will get a breather Thursday after going 0-for-8 with an RBI and three runs scored over his last three contests. His absence will give Dominic Canzone a start in right field, moving Jorge Polanco into the DH spot and putting Leo Rivas at second base.

Freeman (back) isn't in the lineup for Thursday's game versus the Mariners.

Freeman will miss a third straight game Thursday since being scratched from the lineup Tuesday with lower-back tightness. While he continues to recover, the Rockies will move Hunter Goodman into the DH spot and start Braxton Fulford at catcher.

Bernabel isn't in the lineup for Thursday's game against Seattle.

Bernabel will receive a day off after going 0-for-3 during his return from the injured list Wednesday. Blaine Crim will start at first base and bat third.