MLB Player News

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.

Castillo is listed as the Royals' probable starting pitcher for Sunday's game in Cleveland.

Through his first three starts as a member of the Royals after coming over in a trade with the Blue Jays on Aug. 2, Castillo has logged a 5.93 ERA and 1.46 WHIP in 13.2 innings. He'll get one final chance Sunday to try and end the season on a high note, but Castillo will likely have to compete for a spot in the Royals' Opening Day rotation next spring regardless of how he fares against the Guardians.

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.

Howard (shoulder) was activated from the 15-day injured list and optioned to Triple-A Round Rock on Thursday.

Howard appeared in four games with Round Rock during his rehab assignment, and he'll remain with the affiliate now that he's been fully cleared from the right shoulder impingement that put him on the IL in early August. The 26-year-old has appeared in 10 games for the Rangers this year and has a 7.41 ERA, 1.73 WHIP and 32:15 K:BB across 37.2 innings.

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.

Faucher was optioned to Triple-A Durham on Thursday, Marc Topkin of the Tampa Bay Times reports.

Faucher spent just under a week in the major-league bullpen and converted his lone save chance while striking out three in four scoreless innings over three appearances. However, he'll be cast off the active roster after Easton McGee's contract was selected Thursday.