MLB Player News

Herz (0-1) took the loss Monday, allowing four runs on five hits and two walks over four innings against the Tigers. He struck out four.

Herz ran into trouble early, surrendering a pair of runs in the first inning and two more runs in the fourth before departing at 63 pitches (39 strikes). While the results were uneven, it was a positive step for the southpaw to be back on a big-league mound for the first time since 2024 after undergoing Tommy John surgery in April 2025. The 25-year-old is tentatively scheduled to take the ball again Sunday against the Mets to close the regular season, potentially with a slightly larger workload.

Cortes (undisclosed) was activated from the 7-day injured list Sept. 8.

It's not clear as to what forced Cortes to spend time on the shelf after inking a big-league deal with Philly on Aug. 19, but he's returned to full strength down the stretch of the 2026 campaign. He's pitched in three games at Triple-A Lehigh Valley since being activated, allowing three runs on six hits while fanning seven over 5.2 frames.

The Nationals activated Herz (elbow) from the 60-day injured list Monday.

Herz is set to start Monday's game against the Tigers in what will be his first appearance at the major-league level since 2024, as he's completed the long road back from April 2025 Tommy John surgery. The left-hander made 10 rehab starts, posting a 3.16 ERA and 30:7 K:BB over 25.2 innings. Herz threw 4.1 innings and 65 pitches in his last start Sept. 11, so he'll be on a relatively limited workload versus the Tigers.

Luzardo (shoulder) played catch on flat ground Sunday, Matt Gelb of The Athletic reports.

Luzardo was shut down for nine days due to left shoulder inflammation, but he was cleared to play catch after the stiffness dissipated and he regained range of motion in the shoulder. The left-hander will not return from the 15-day injured list before the end of the regular season, but the Phillies are "very optimistic" about Luzardo's progress, per president of baseball operations Dave Dombrowski. If Luzardo is ready for the wild-card round, the Phillies could use him in a relief role since he won't have his stamina rebuilt enough to start.

Misiorowski allowed a hit and struck out four without walking a batter over three shutout innings in a no-decision versus the Orioles on Sunday. Per Adam McCalvy of MLB.com, this was an intentionally planned short outing for Misiorowski to keep his innings in check ahead of the postseason.

McCalvy adds that Misiorowski is expected to see more regular usage in his last projected start of the regular season at home versus the Cardinals, which will line him up to take the mound during the NLDS. Since the All-Star break, Misiorowski has allowed just 16 runs (15 earned) over 58.1 innings, adding an 80:15 K:BB in that span. For the year, he's at a 1.86 ERA, 0.80 WHIP and 247:42 K:BB through 169.1 innings over 29 starts. The good news for fantasy managers is that Misiorowski is expected to have one more start even if the Brewers clinch everything they can before it's his turn to pitch again.

Wilkinson did not factor into the decision Sunday, allowing three hits and no walks over five scoreless innings against the Dodgers. He struck out six.

Wilkinson silenced the Dodgers offense, spinning five shutout innings before departing at 76 pitches (51 strikes). Sunday marked the rookie's first start since Sept. 4, as his previous two outings came from the bullpen. In seven appearances (five starts), the southpaw owns a 1-3 record with a 3.65 ERA, 1.01 WHIP and 18:4 K:BB in 24.2 frames. Should Wilkinson remain in the rotation, he's lined up to start Saturday in a rematch with Los Angeles.

Sheehan did not factor into the decision Sunday, allowing a hit and a walk while striking out nine over 5.1 scoreless innings of bulk relief against the Giants.

Entering in the second inning after Jack Dreyer, Sheehan was dominant in bulk relief, allowing just two batters to reach on his watch. The 26-year-old has looked phenomenal in three September appearances, permitting just one run over 17 innings with a 24:3 K:BB. On the year, the right-hander owns a 5-8 record with a 4.57 ERA, 1.18 WHIP and 132:33 K:BB in 112.1 innings (23 appearances). With several moving parts in the Dodgers rotation, it remains to be seen if Sheehan will log another regular-season outing, but if he does, it'll likely come on the road against the Giants over the weekend.

Sugano (12-11) took the loss Sunday, allowing one run on a hit and two walks over five innings against the Mariners. He struck out five.

Sugano was more than serviceable across five frames, especially at home at Coors Field, but a lack of offense from the Rockies saddled the right-hander with the loss. He has now lost six of his past seven starts, with his last win coming Aug. 11. With a 5.36 ERA, 1.33 WHIP and 91:36 K:BB in 147.2 innings (28 starts), Sugano is tentatively scheduled to make his final start of the season Saturday against the White Sox.

Sanchez (18-6) earned the win Sunday over the Mets, allowing two runs on six hits and no walks across 6.1 innings. He struck out six.

It was a nice return to form for Sanchez, who had given up 11 runs across 12.1 innings in his previous two outings. The southpaw blanked the Mets for five innings Sunday before giving up a solo home run to Bo Bichette in the sixth. Overall, Sanchez sports a 2.93 ERA with a 1.22 WHIP and a career-high 221 strikeouts across 32 starts (200 innings) this year. Sanchez is currently in line for one more regular-season start, tentatively scheduled to come next weekend at home against the Rays.

Sasaki (finger) is expected to be activated from the 15-day injured list to pitch in Tuesday's contest against San Diego, Bill Plunkett of The Orange County Register reports.

Sasaki has been shelved since developing a blister on his right middle finger Aug. 26 against Atlanta. Manager Dave Roberts noted that the right-hander will pitch in some capacity as a part of a bullpen game in the series opener versus the Padres, but Sasaki won't be the "bulk" pitcher.