MLB Player News

Verlander (13-8) allowed two hits and three walks while striking out five over five shutout innings to earn the win Saturday over the Diamondbacks.

Verlander's three walks were his most in a start since he was traded from the Mets, but he still got the job done. The Astros' playoff spot was confirmed with their win and the Mariners' loss to Texas. Verlander has delivered three scoreless outings in his 11 starts with Houston, and he ends September having allowed 17 runs (16 earned) over 39 frames in six starts. He has a 3.22 ERA, 1.13 WHIP and 144:45 K:BB in 162.1 innings over 27 starts this season. Verlander's next turn through the rotation tentatively lines up for Game 3 of the AL Wild Card Series.

Clevinger (9-9) took the loss Saturday, allowing six runs on seven hits and two walks over 1.2 innings against the Padres. He struck out two.

Clevinger hadn't allowed more than six hits or two earned runs in any of his previous four starts, but he yielded four runs in the first frame and two more in the second Saturday as he delivered his shortest outing of the season. The 32-year-old hurler had been on quite the run since returning from a bicep injury July 29, posting a 6-4 record with a 2.96 ERA, 1.00 WHIP and 55:12 K:BB across 67 innings. However, Saturday's dud increased Clevinger's season-long ERA from 3.40 to 3.77 to go with a 1.23 WHIP and 110:40 K:BB across 131.1 innings - his biggest workload since 2018.

Castillo (14-9) took the loss Saturday, giving up four runs on five hits and five walks over 2.2 innings as the Mariners were downed 6-1 by the Rangers. He struck out four.

The right-hander picked the worst possible time to have his shortest outing of the season, as the loss eliminated the M's from postseason contention. Castillo got the hook after 86 pitches (52 strikes), and his control deserted him in September -- he issued multiple free passes in five of six starts on the month, leading to a 4.96 ERA and 38:18 K:BB through 32.2 innings. He also came up just short of his first 200-inning campaign, finishing with a career-high 197 innings over 33 starts. Castillo still has four years left on the $108 million contract extension he signed last September, and the 30-year-old should anchor the Seattle rotation once again in 2024.

Dunning will start Sunday's game against the Mariners, Evan Grant of The Dallas Morning News reports.

The Rangers will call on Dunning to pitch on only three days of rest with an opportunity to clinch the division on the line. He tossed a gem in his last outing Wednesday against the Angels by firing seven scoreless innings on 87 pitches, so it's unclear as to how long he'll be able to go Saturday.

Heaney didn't factor into the decision Saturday as the Rangers won 6-1 over the Mariners, allowing five hits and a walk over 4.1 scoreless innings. He struck out two.

While the southpaw didn't record the win, he was a key part of Texas' playoff-clinching victory. Heaney tossed 85 pitches (51 strikes) in his first start since Sept. 4, and he extended his streak of appearances without giving up an earned run to five. The Rangers still need a win Sunday, or an Astros loss, to lock up the AL West crown and a first-round bye in the playoffs, but if they wind up with a wild-card spot, Heaney could play a big role in that series too with Jon Gray (forearm) and Max Scherzer (shoulder) both currently on the IL. On the season, Heaney has a 4.15 ERA and 151:60 K:BB through 147.1 innings.

France (personal) is back with the Astros and is available out of the bullpen, Chandler Rome of The Athletic reports.

France was scratched from his scheduled start against Arizona on Friday due to a family emergency. While his absence lasted just one day, he won't get another chance to start.

The Rangers optioned Latz to Triple-A Round Rock on Saturday.

In order to make room for Matt Bush, who was selected from Triple-A on Saturday, the Rangers will push Latz off the active roster and back to the minor leagues. The 27-year-old lefty has made three appearances for the Rangers this season and has yet to surrender a run through 6.1 frames.

Heaney is scheduled to start Saturday's game against the Mariners in Seattle, Evan Grant of The Dallas Morning News reports.

The veteran southpaw has made his last six appearances in relief, with the most recent outing coming in the series opener Thursday, when he tossed a 17-pitch scoreless inning. Given that he hasn't covered more than five innings in a game since late August, Heaney could end up serving as more of an opener or piggyback starter rather than a traditional starter Saturday. The Rangers will have Martin Perez (five days' rest) and Cody Bradford (three days' rest) available as potential bulk-relief options to work behind Heaney.

Wentz was optioned off the active roster Saturday, Chris McCosky of The Detroit News reports.

Wentz wasn't going to pitch again after starting Friday's game against the Guardians, so he'll exit the roster to give the Tigers another bullpen arm, with Garrett Hill taking his place. Wentz will end the season with a 6.90 ERA and 1.68 WHIP in 105.2 innings of work.

Marsh is scheduled to serve as a bulk reliever behind opener Steven Cruz in Saturday's home game against the Yankees, Anne Rogers of MLB.com reports.

Marsh hasn't started since Sept. 2, but he continues to make regular turns through the Kansas City rotation while pitching behind an opener. Serving as a bulk reliever has increased Marsh's fantasy appeal, as the rookie right-hander has scooped up wins in three of his last four outings while pitching to a 4.00 ERA, 1.17 WHIP and 19:7 K:BB in 18 innings during that stretch.