MLB Player News

The Cubs transferred Fulmer (forearm) from the 15-day injured list to the 60-day IL on Sunday, Meghan Montemurro of the Chicago Tribune reports.

Fulmer had already been ruled out for the season after landing on the 15-day IL on Sept. 16 with a right forearm strain. His move to the 60-day IL was merely for procedural purposes, as the transaction opened up a spot on the 40-man roster for reliever Shane Greene. Assuming he doesn't require an offseason procedure to address the forearm strain, Fulmer should be fully cleared for spring training, but he may not be attending camp as a member of the Cubs organization. The 30-year-old right-hander is scheduled to become a free agent this offseason after accruing a 4.42 ERA, 1.33 WHIP and 65:28 K:BB to go with three wins, 11 holds and two saves over 57 innings in 2023.

Hernandez has been left off the Rangers' AL Wild Card Series roster due to a shoulder injury, Evan Grant of The Dallas Morning News reports.

Hernandez had an up-and-down 2023 season but finished with five straight scoreless appearances, so this is a hit to a bullpen that can ill afford it. Whether Hernandez could potentially be ready should the Rangers advance to the ALDS is unclear.

Fulmer (1-1) got the win over the Athletics on Sunday after tossing five shutout innings while allowing just two hits and three walks. He struck out three.

Fulmer handled the Athletics and picked up his first win since 2019 when he was with the White Sox. The former first round pick has not been effective as a big leaguer and struggled mightily at Triple-A Salt Lake with a 5.27 ERA and 1.78 WHIP in 2023. He should not be in consideration to make the 2024 opening day roster, even if the Angels go into rebuilding mode.

Lopez (1-0) got the win Sunday over the Blue Jays but allowed six runs (five earned) on eight hits and two walks while striking out four over 5.1 innings.

Lopez threw an easy 1-2-3 first inning but put two runners on to begin the second and gave up a two-run triple to Tyler Heineman before allowing him to score on a wild pitch. He kept the Blue Jays off the board for the next three innings but could not escape trouble in the sixth and wound up giving up three more runs before being pulled. Sunday was his longest major-league outing this year but was also his worst showing. He posted solid minor-league numbers in 2023, but he was essentially an emergency option for the big club down the stretch.

Bednar picked up the save in Sunday's 3-0 victory over the Marlins, striking out two over a perfect inning.

It was a fitting way for Bednar to wrap up the campaign, striking out his final two batters to close out a 3-0 Pirates' victory. Since Aug. 30, the 28-year-old Bednar pitched to a 1.35 ERA over 13.1 innings while converting 16 straight save chances. He'll end the year with 39 saves, tied for second most in the majors, with a 2.00 ERA, 1.10 WHIP and 80 strikeouts over 67.1 innings.

Phillips picked up the save in Sunday's 5-2 victory over the Giants, striking out one over a perfect inning.

Phillips will wrap up the regular season having allowed just one earned run in his last 18.1 innings, going 9-for-10 in save opportunities in that span. While the Dodgers employed a committee at times this season, the 29-year-old Phillips emerged as their top closing option in the second half. He'll wrap up the campaign with a 2.05 ERA, 0.83 WHIP, 66:13 K:BB across 61.1 innings while converting 24 of 27 save chances.

Brebbia (3-5) allowed two runs on a hit and a walk while striking out one over one-third of an inning to take the loss Sunday versus the Dodgers.

Kyle Harrison spun five no-hit innings to start the game, but Brebbia quickly put two runners aboard. Taylor Rogers (back) then served up a three-run home run after allowing both of Brebbia's baserunners to score, putting the game out of reach for the Giants' light-hitting offense. All five of Brebbia's losses came over his last five appearances of the season, spoiling what had been a decent campaign for the middle reliever. He ends 2023 with a 3.99 ERA, 1.17 WHIP and 47:14 K:BB while adding six holds and a blown save over 38.1 innings.

Davidson pitched to a 5.03 ERA, 1.42 WHIP and 15:8 K:BB over 19.2 innings after he was traded from the Angels to the Royals.

Davidson's season ERA stood at 5.96 across 51.1 innings. He made modest improvements with Kansas City, which included him earning two holds, but he rarely saw much high-leverage work. He was used primarily as a started in his 52 innings across 12 appearances in 2022, but he's likely ticketed for bullpen work going forward. Davidson was modestly unlucky this year -- his 4.07 FIP suggests he pitched a little better than the surface numbers show.

Webb pitched to a 3.27 ERA, 1.18 WHIP and 23:10 K:BB over 22 innings after he was claimed off waivers by the Orioles.

Webb also had six holds after joining Baltimore. The 30-year-old right-hander pitched fine with the Angels to begin the year with a 3.98 ERA, 1.36 WHIP and 34:20 K:BB across 31.2 innings, but he was able to improve his efficiency while becoming a trusted part of the Orioles' bullpen. They'll look for that to continue in the postseason.

Coulombe (5-3) allowed two runs (one earned) on two hits and struck out two over one inning, taking the loss Sunday versus the Red Sox.

Two of Coulombe's three losses this season occurred over his last five appearances. He's allowed five runs (four earned) across his last 4.2 innings. Despite the late skid, he has a 2.81 ERA, 1.11 WHIP and 58:12 K:BB with two saves and 21 holds through 51.1 innings this season. He'll be a key lefty in Baltimore's bullpen during the playoffs, though Yennier Cano and Tyler Wells are likely the top options for save chances.