MLB Player News

Cease (14-8) allowed four runs on five hits and four walks while striking out five in five-plus innings, taking the loss Saturday versus the Padres.

Cease had quality starts in five of his last six starts entering Saturday. He didn't meet that mark, allowing a solo shot to Juan Soto and a two-run home run to Jake Cronenworth. Austin Nola tacked on an RBI single after Cease left the game with two on and no out in the sixth inning. Despite the disappointing finale, the 26-year-old right-hander established himself among baseball's elite pitchers in 2022. He ends the campaign with a 2.20 ERA, 1.11 WHIP and a career-high 227 strikeouts in 184 innings across 32 starts.

Javier (11-9) earned the win Saturday over the Rays, allowing two hits and two walks while striking out seven across six scoreless innings.

Javier was hot in the second half of September, and he kept it going into October with his fourth straight scoreless start. In that span, he's pitched 23 innings, allowing just six hits and six walks while striking out 29 in an absolutely dominant stretch that should solidify his spot in the Astros' playoff rotation. This was likely his last start of the regular season, and the 25-year-old ended the campaign with a 2.54 ERA, 0.95 WHIP and 194:52 K:BB over 148.2 innings across 30 appearances (25 starts).

McClanahan (12-8) allowed two runs on five hits and a walk while striking out two over five innings, taking the loss Saturday versus the Astros.

McClanahan bounced back from a rough outing last Sunday versus the Blue Jays. Unfortunately for him, the Rays didn't offer enough support. The ace exited the game after 67 pitches (45 strikes), presumably to give him a bit of rest with the Rays' playoff spot confirmed Friday. The southpaw finished the regular season with a 2.54 ERA, 0.93 WHIP and 194:38 K:BB across 166.1 innings through 28 starts. He's lined up to start Game 1 of the wild-card round against a yet-to-be-determined opponent.

Cortes (12-4) earned the win Saturday, allowing one hit and two walks over 7.1 scoreless innings against the Orioles while striking out 12.

Cortes put on a clinic Saturday, striking out seven of the first nine batters he faced while never allowing a runner to reach second base. He generated 20 swinging strikes and dominated Orioles hitters with his four-seamer all afternoon. The left-hander has now pitched 13.1 scoreless innings over his last two starts while allowing just two hits over that stretch. His 12 strikeouts Saturday also matched a career high.

Kopech (shoulder) underwent surgery on his right knee Thursday, James Fegan of The Athletic reports.

Kopech was already likely to miss the rest of the 2022 season due to a shoulder injury. That's now official, and he'll end the campaign with a 3.54 ERA, 1.19 WHIP and 105:57 K:BB across 119.1 frames. Kopech is expected to overcome both issues in time to pitch without limitations for the beginning of spring training in 2023.

Angels head athletic trainer Mike Frostad indicated this week that Canning (back) remains on track to avoid surgery, per MLB.com.

Canning's lower-back stress fracture cost him the final seven weeks of 2021 and all of 2022, but he's still not expected to need surgery. The right-hander is slated to see a specialist in November, which should provide more clarity about a treatment plan and potential return to throwing. If Canning does in fact avoid surgery, he could be ready to pitch by spring training next season.

Sears will be available behind opener Adam Oller during Saturday's game against Seattle, Martin Gallegos of MLB.com reports.

Sears was initially listed as the starting pitcher for Saturday's matchup, but the team will give Oller some work to begin the game after he was reinstated from the injured list Friday. Sears hasn't been particularly effective recently, posting a 10.43 ERA and 2.11 WHIP in 14.2 innings over his last four appearances.

Montas (shoulder) resumed playing catch Saturday, Bryan Hoch of MLB.com reports.

Montas has spent a week and a half on the injured list with right shoulder inflammation and was cleared to throw off flat ground Saturday. Manager Aaron Boone hasn't officially ruled the right-hander out for the ALDS, but he said Saturday that it's more likely that Montas will be able to join the Yankees' bullpen if the team advances to the ALCS.

Ryan (13-8) earned the win against the Tigers on Friday, allowing no runs on five hits while striking out eight and walking one over six innings.

Ryan tossed 65 of 91 pitches for strikes across six frames. He allowed six baserunners, but none of them reached home. This was a bounce-back game for the righty, who gave up three runs in four innings to the Angels in his last start. His Friday appearance was his third quality start in his last five games, all three of which resulted in wins. In five September starts, Ryan ended up with a 2.20 ERA and has lowered his season ERA to 3.55.

Detmers (7-6) gave up one earned run on four hits and a walk while striking out nine over six innings to earn the win in a 4-1 victory over the Rangers on Friday.

Detmers had his heavy slider working well all evening and piled up nine strikeouts on 21 swinging strikes as the Rangers hitters looked overwhelmed by the pitch. It was a high note on which to end the 2022 season for Detmers. He struggled for most of the opening months, but he also pitched the only no-hitter of the year so far. He posted excellent numbers in July and August after a brief stint in the minors. The 23-year-old left-hander's flashes of dominance this season make him a high-upside candidate for 2023.