MLB Player News

Thompson pitched three scoreless innings of relief to earn the save Thursday against the Phillies. He allowed one hit and two walks, while striking out three.

Since returning from the injured list Sept. 21, Thompson has pitched eight scoreless innings out of the bullpen, and he earned his first save of the season Thursday by closing out a 2-0 contest. The righty made 17 starts for the Cubs this year but is finishing up the campaign in relief. Thompson figures to compete for a rotation spot again in 2023.

Assad (2-2) tossed five scoreless innings to earn the win Thursday against the Phillies. He allowed five hits and two walks while striking out three.

Assad entered the night with a 6.23 ERA across his last four starts, but he pitched well against Philadelphia and picked up his second win of the season. The rookie was limited to just 80 pitches, as the Cubs seem focused on not pushing the 25-year-old too much in his debut campaign. Assad is lined up to start the season finale Wednesday against the Reds, and he could be in the mix for a rotation spot to begin 2023, depending Chicago's moves during in the offseason.

Hoeing exited Thursday's game against the Brewers after getting hit in his right leg by a comebacker off the bat of Willy Adames, Jordan McPherson of the Miami Herald reports.

Hoeing faced just two batters before getting hit in his right knee or lower leg. The exact nature of the injury is not yet clear, though even a moderate bruise could end his season with less than a week left to play.

Estevez (illness) was transferred to the 15-day injured list Thursday.

Estevez landed on the COVID-19 injured list Tuesday, but he doesn't actually have coronavirus, per Sonja Chen of MLB.com. Still, the ailment has affected him to the point that the Rockies decided to shut him down for the year. He'll end the season having recorded a career-best 3.47 ERA in 57 innings.

Okert was placed on the 15-day injured list with left triceps tightness Thursday, retroactive to Sept. 26, Jordan McPherson of the Miami Herald reports.

Okert hasn't pitched since giving up three runs (two earned) while failing to record an out against the Cubs on Sept. 21. He's apparently dealing with a triceps injury and will be forced to miss the final week of the season, even though his placement on the injured list was backdated. The southpaw was charged with losses in three of his final four appearances of the season but had a solid campaign overall, picking up 19 holds while posting a 2.98 ERA and 1.17 WHIP in 51.1 innings over 60 appearances.

Nance (groin) was reinstated from the 15-day injured list Thursday, Jordan McPherson of the Miami Herald reports.

Nance made a rehab appearance at Triple-A Jacksonville on Monday and struck out one in a perfect inning. The right-hander will rejoin the Marlins after a minimal IL stint and will be available out of the major-league bullpen for the final week of the regular season.

Manaea is expected to work in bulk relief behind Steven Wilson, who is scheduled to serve as the Padres' opening pitcher in Thursday's game against the Dodgers, Kevin Acee of The San Diego Union-Tribune reports.

The Padres gave Manaea just under a two-week break from the rotation earlier this month, but the lefty didn't show major improvement in his subsequent two starts. While pitching on the road in Arizona and Colorado his last two times out, Manaea struck out five over 8.2 innings while allowing five earned runs on nine hits and three walks. Manager Bob Melvin will experiment with Manaea behind an opener Thursday as the southpaw gets some early exposure to the bullpen role he would likely fill for the Friars during a potential postseason run.

Wilson will start Thursday's game against the Dodgers, Dennis Lin of The Athletic reports.

Wilson has a 2.88 ERA, 1.04 WHIP and 50:18 K:BB across 50 innings this year, and he'll make his first career start as the opener in Thursday's series finale. The rookie right-hander is unlikely to qualify for a potential victory and should give way to the bullpen after an inning or two.

Melancon didn't allow a baserunner during the 10th inning to pick up the save against the Astros on Wednesday.

Melancon's number was called in the bottom of the 10th, and he proceeded to retire all three batters he faced on a total of six pitches to record his first save since Aug. 17. The 37-year-old reliever has been solid for the Diamondbacks in September to the tune of a 2.70 ERA and 1.20 WHIP over 10 appearances.

Dodgers manager Dave Roberts said Graterol will serve as the team's opening pitcher in Thursday's game in San Diego, Jack Harris of the Los Angeles Times reports.

Roberts noted that Andrew Heaney will pitch "somewhere behind" Graterol, likely functioning as a primary pitcher out of the bullpen in what had been his typical turn through the rotation. Since Graterol hasn't recorded more than six outs in any of his appearances in the majors or minors this season, he likely won't be asked to face any batter more than once before giving way to the bullpen.