MLB Player News

Cubs manager Craig Counsell said Thursday that the team doesn't plan to activate Steele (elbow) from the 60-day injured list this weekend, Patrick Mooney of The Athletic reports.

Steele began a rehab assignment with Triple-A Iowa earlier this month and has allowed six runs (four earned) with an 11:1 K:BB over 7.2 innings covering four appearances. The left-hander is available to pitch for the Cubs, if needed, but the team has decided there's currently not room for him on the active roster. Steele has been sidelined all season, first as he continued his recovery from UCL revision surgery and later due to a flexor strain.

Marlins manager Clayton McCullough said Thursday that Alcantara will not make a start this weekend against Atlanta, Stephen Strom of Marlins Radio Network reports.

Alcantara had been penciled in to take the ball Saturday in the Marlins' final regular-season series, but the club has decided against having the righty make another start. The right-hander has notched two saves over the past week, as the Marlins have used him in relief on his throw days, and Alcantara will be available out of the bullpen this weekend. Alcantara has logged a league-high 213 innings this season and tied a career high with 33 starts.

Gausman said Thursday that his left shoulder remains sore and he's uncertain when he will be available to pitch, Bruce Levine of 670TheScore.com reports.

Gausman injured his left (non-throwing) shoulder during Wednesday's start against the Marlins when his arm was extended awkwardly as he dove to tag a runner out. He will have five days of rest before Game 1 of the National League Wild Card Series, and he could be the Cubs' choice to start that day if he's physically able. More should be known about Gausman's health status by this weekend.

Harrison struck out a batter and gave up a run on three hits and no walks over an inning of relief in Tuesday's 6-4 loss to the Phillies.

After giving up five runs (four earned) while failing to escape the second inning in a start versus the Pirates last Thursday, Harrison has made his last two appearances out of the bullpen. Harrison retired just one of the three batters he faced in a relief outing against the Orioles over the weekend, and his struggles continued during Tuesday's appearance. The southpaw had been pitching at an All-Star level during the first half of the season, but he's completely unraveled since returning to action Aug. 5 following a four-week stint on the injured list. Over his 10 appearances (seven starts) since being activated, Harrison owns a 7.80 ERA and 2.20 WHIP across 30 innings. Harrison's string of poor performances could put him at risk of being left off the Brewers' postseason roster.

McLean earned the win Wednesday against the Rangers after allowing two runs on three hits and a walk while striking out five over seven innings.

McLean allowed just one hit in the first four innings before the Rangers scored twice in the fifth. However, McLean responded by retiring Texas in order in both the sixth and seventh, keeping the game level until Marcus Semien's go-ahead homer in the eighth. The 2026 season was a disaster for the Mets, and while McLean also endured some struggles here and there, he ended the year on a strong note. He allowed two or fewer runs in seven of his final eight starts, posting a 2.20 ERA with a 38:22 K:BB across 49 innings over that span. On the season, McLean went 12-10 with a 3.16 ERA and 1.17 WHIP across 31 starts and 179.2 frames.

Adams (0-2) took the loss after allowing four unearned runs on five hits while striking out eight over six innings in Wednesday's 5-3 loss to the Diamondbacks.

Adams' final line was heavily influenced by Zac Veen's first-inning error, as Arizona capitalized with four unearned runs before the right-hander settled into an impressive rhythm. He retired 13 consecutive batters after Corbin Carroll's two-run triple in the first inning and didn't issue a walk over six innings, marking the first time this season he didn't issue a free pass. The eight strikeouts were a season-high output for Adams, who ends the season on a decent note despite the loss. In six starts in 2026, he went 0-2 with a 4.03 ERA, 1.48 WHIP and 31:12 K:BB across 29 innings.

Kelly (10-14) earned the win Wednesday against the Rockies after allowing two runs on four hits and a walk while striking out two over 5.1 innings.

Kelly worked with a four-run lead after the first inning and kept Colorado from completing a comeback, allowing an RBI double to Adael Amador in the second and a Hunter Goodman sacrifice fly in the third. The veteran has struggled with consistency in recent weeks, and for the most part, his results have been underwhelming, with three or more earned runs allowed in six of his last 10 starts. He closes out the regular season with a 4.94 ERA, 1.46 WHIP and 113:70 K:BB across 29 starts and 162 innings.

Yamamoto (14-9) allowed four runs (two earned) on five hits, a walk and a hit batsman while striking out four over six innings to take the loss versus the Padres on Wednesday.

Yamamoto earned a third straight quality start, though the Padres' pair of runs in the fifth inning were a product of his own throwing error. The right-hander has had few stumbles this season, pitching to a 2.53 ERA, 0.87 WHIP and 182:42 K:BB over 185 innings through 28 starts. His regular season is done, so expect Yamamoto's next appearance to come in the NLDS.

Ray allowed one run on seven hits and a walk while striking out two over 3.1 innings in a no-decision versus the Dodgers on Wednesday.

Ray's short outing came down to inefficiency -- he needed 84 pitches (55 strikes) to get the 10 outs. It's been a bumpy September for the veteran lefty, who has allowed 14 runs over 16.2 innings with a 14:11 K:BB this month. His regular season is likely done at a 13-8 record with a 3.59 ERA, 1.35 WHIP and 140:84 K:BB over 31 games (30 starts) between the Padres and the Giants. Ray is lined up to pitch in the wild-card series in the likely event the Padres secure a playoff spot.

Musgrove (elbow) has been regularly playing catch, but the timeline for a potential return to action remains unclear, MLB.com reports.

Musgrove has yet to pitch for the Padres this season. as he's struggled to recover from the Tommy John surgery he underwent in October of 2024. The veteran hurler fared mostly well during a four-game minor-league rehab stint in August, but he was ultimately pulled off the assignment because he was having trouble recovering between starts. There's still a chance San Diego could activate Musgrove to see what he can give them, but he'd be limited to a relief role if that were to happen.