MLB Player News

Rodon didn't factor into the decision in Wednesday's 5-4 extra-innings loss to the Twins, allowing two runs on four hits and three walks over six innings. He struck out five.

The veteran southpaw left the mound after 102 pitches (59 strikes) with the Yankees down 2-0, but they were able to tie it up in the ninth and take Rodon off the hook for his fourth loss. Rodon has produced back-to-back quality starts, giving him five on the season in 15 trips to the mound. Since coming off the IL in mid-August, he's delivered a 2.40 ERA, 0.93 WHIP and 31:12 K:BB over 30 innings. He lines up to make what will likely be his final start of the regular season at home next week against the Rays, in a game that could still have huge significance in the race for the AL East title.

Varland earned the save in Wednesday's 5-1 win over the Tigers, retiring all three batters he faced with two strikeouts in a scoreless ninth inning.

After Spencer Miles gave up a single and a walk to open the ninth, the Blue Jays turned to Varland who promptly recorded the final three outs, locking down his 34th save this season. It was a nice rebound effort from Varland, who gave up a run in a blown save against Detroit his last time out. The right-hander now sports a 1.30 ERA with a 1.00 WHIP and 95:22 K:BB across 76 innings this season.

Scherzer (3-8) earned the win Wednesday against the Tigers, allowing a run on three hits and three walks over five innings. He struck out three.

It was a strong bounce-back effort from Scherzer, who gave up six runs over five innings in a loss to Baltimore his last time out. The veteran right-hander allowed a two-out run in the first inning before settling in and blanking Detroit over his final four frames. Scherzer's ERA now sits at 6.07 through 16 starts (72.2 innings) this season with a 1.36 WHIP and 54:31 K:BB. He's currently in line to face the Orioles on the road his next time out.

Smith recorded his 37th save of the season in Wednesday's 6-3 win over the White Sox, striking out two over 1.1 perfect innings.

After Erik Sabrowski walked two batters in the eighth inning to bring the tying run to the plate for Chicago, Smith was brought in and got Sam Antonacci to fly out to end the frame before dominating in the ninth. Smith hasn't blown a save in over a month, and across his last 15 appearances he's posted a 1.08 ERA, 0.60 WHIP and 25:4 K:BB in 16.2 innings while collecting three wins and seven saves.

Messick (12-9) picked up the win Wednesday, giving up three runs on seven hits over six innings in a 6-3 win over the White Sox. He struck out eight without walking a batter.

The southpaw fired 62 of 86 pitches for strikes in an impressive outing that helped Cleveland claim first place in the AL Central for the first time since July 4. The quality start was Messick's 14th of the season, and he hasn't been tagged for more than three runs in an outing since June 29, posting a 2.21 ERA, 1.01 WHIP and 80:18 K:BB in 77.1 innings over that span. He's set to make what will likely be his final start of the regular season on the road next week in Boston.

Meidroth went 3-for-5 with a double and a run scored in Wednesday's 6-3 loss to the Guardians.

The second baseman did his job at the top of the order, but the rest of the White Sox lineup managed just five hits in total. Meidroth is batting .269 (14-for-52) over 15 games in September with three doubles, two homers, one steal, five RBI and seven runs as he wraps up a solid second big-league campaign.

The Orioles selected Barrero's contract from Triple-A Norfolk on Wednesday.

Barrero has spent the entire season up to this point at Triple-A, slashing .201/.303/.397 with 23 homers, 57 RBI, 63 runs scored and 12 steals across 502 plate appearances. He'll now join the big-league roster as the replacement for Jackson Holliday (wrist) and could pick up a few starts down the stretch against left-handed pitchers.

Pham went 1-for-4 with a three-run home run in Wednesday's 6-3 loss to the Guardians.

Getting the start at DH and batting cleanup against Parker Messick, Pham produced all the offense for the White Sox when he took the southpaw deep in the fifth inning. It was Pham's first long ball in the majors this season in his 11th game, and he'll likely continue to be deployed as a short-side platoon option over the final days of the regular season as Chicago tries to make the playoffs for the first time since 2021.

The Orioles placed Holliday on the 10-day injured list Wednesday with left wrist inflammation, retroactive to Tuesday.

Manager Craig Albernaz said before Wednesday's game against the Mets that Holliday is "banged up," and the Orioles have now determined that his wrist injury is serious enough to warrant a trip to the IL. The 22-year-old will be eligible to return from the IL before the O's begin their final series of the regular season against the Yankees. Until then, Jeremiah Jackson figures to take over as Baltimore's primary second baseman, while Jose Barrero will come up from Triple-A to replenish the team's infield depth.

Kay didn't factor into the decision in Wednesday's 6-3 loss to the Guardians, allowing two unearned runs on two hits and two walks over four innings. He struck out three.

A Chase Meidroth error in the third inning opened the door for both runs against Kay, but the southpaw was still fairly sharp over 66 pitches (40 strikes). Kay hasn't worked five full frames in any of his last five outings, so he would likely need to come in behind an opener to have any chance of picking up his 10th win of the season. His 7.06 ERA, 1.52 WHIP and 17:8 K:BB in 21.2 innings over that five-game stretch isn't particularly fantasy-friendly either. He lines up to make his next trip to the mound on the road early next week in Kansas City.