MLB Player News

Boxberger (4-4) picked up the win in Friday's 7-0 victory over the Orioles, firing a scoreless fifth inning in which he recorded a strikeout.

The hard-throwing reliever now has six straight scoreless efforts and is closing out the season on a high note. Factoring in Friday's outing, Boxberger's ERA for the month is down to 1.08, as he's allowed just one earned run in 8.1 innings across eight September appearances.

Kimbrel allowed a hit and struck out one in a scoreless ninth inning Friday against the Astros in a non-save situation.

The star closer hadn't pitched in a game for five days, so the Red Sox opted to use him in an effort to keep the team just one run behind. Kimbrel did need 15 pitches (11 strikes) to complete the frame, but it likely won't jeopardize his availability for Saturday's contest if a save situation arises. He now holds a 1.32 ERA and an absurd 16.3 K/9 on the season to go with his 35 saves.

Giles allowed one hit over a scoreless ninth inning to record his 34th save in Friday's 3-2 win over Boston.

Giles has wobbled as the calendar reached September. He's allowed baserunners in each of his last six outings and has a .262 batting-average-against -- his worst monthly mark this season -- in September. But in a results-oriented role, he's converted seven of eight save opportunities.

McHugh will start the final game of the regular season Sunday in Boston, Jake Kaplan of the Houston Chronicle reports.

McHugh, who has a 3.45 ERA over 11 starts, will be vying for a spot in the postseason rotation. The right-hander missed some time due to a fingernail avulsion, but has come back to pitch relatively well in two starts. The problem is that Brad Peacock and Charlie Morton haven't slowed down, and they look like the best options to be the third and fourth starters after Justin Verlander and Dallas Keuchel in the postseason.

Belisle struck out two in a perfect ninth inning for his ninth save Friday against Detroit.

Belisle has blown two saves in his 17 games as Twins closer since the Brandon Kintzler trade. A solid 17:3 K:BB supports his 2.70 ERA, and he has been solid enough in a new role for the Twins to trust him as closer as they head into the playoffs. With Minnesota clinching a postseason berth Friday night, it wouldn't be surprising if he rests the last two regular-season contests to stay fresh for the upcoming wild-card game.

Chapman pitched a scoreless ninth inning with two strikeouts to record his 21st save of the season during Friday's win over Toronto.

After Dellin Betances allowed a hit and walk to start the ninth inning, manager Joe Girardi called upon Chapman to finish off the Blue Jays. Chapman has now thrown 11 scoreless innings over his past 10 outings while converting five saves and striking out 16 batters during that stretch. He is entering the postseason in prime form.

Pomeranz may not make his scheduled start Saturday if the Red Sox clinch the AL East on Friday night, Ian Browne of MLB.com suggests.

Manager John Farrell did not explicitly say that Pomeranz would be scratched from Saturday's start if the Red Sox win Friday, but it would make sense if that decision was made in that scenario, particularly with Pomeranz not having his typical velocity his last time out. A final call on Pomeranz's status will be made either after Friday's contest or at some point Saturday morning.

Castro is listed as Saturday's starter against the Rays at Tropicana Field, Roch Kubatko of MASN Sports reports.

Castro worked a career-high six scoreless innings on Aug. 3 against Detroit, but the young right-hander hasn't logged more than 3.2 innings in any of his 16 appearances since. Considering he hasn't thrown more than 69 pitches in a game for the O's this season, owners would be wise to avoid Castro, as a short leash will limit his ceiling in Tampa.

Chavez was saddled with his 11th loss of the season after giving up three runs on four hits while striking out two in an inning of relief Thursday against the White Sox.

Chavez's late-inning implosion squandered what had been a successful bullpen game for the Angels. The 34-year-old had transitioned well to a relief role in August (0.60 ERA over 15 innings), but he reverted to his poor pitching ways in September, posting an ugly 12.46 ERA in nine appearances this month. Chavez will enter free agency this offseason, but he will find it tough to crack any rotation in the majors after failing to make it work for the pitching-starved Halos.

Norris (5-8) earned the win over the Royals on Thursday, giving up two hits over five scoreless innings. He struck out one batter and did not issue a walk.

At one point, Norris appeared in danger of being removed from the game with some sort of back or oblique issue, but the lefty convinced the training staff that he was good to continue on. Norris missed significant time due to a groin injury this season and struggled with walks throughout most of the year, although he did show improvement with his control following his return in September (five walks over 16.2 innings). There are questions about his viability as a starter in the big leagues, but Norris, a former top prospect, will have plenty of more chances to prove himself.