MLB Player News

The Astros optioned Bielak to Triple-A Sugar Land on Sunday, Danielle Lerner of the Houston Chronicle reports.

The righty allowed three runs in his most recent appearance Sept. 24 and finished the regular season with a 4.50 ERA and 1.38 WHIP in 50 innings. Bielak is unlikely to make Houston's postseason roster.

The Astros reinstated Greinke (neck) from the 10-day injured list Sunday, Danielle Lerner of the Houston Chronicle reports.

The veteran returns from his bout with neck soreness and will be available out of Houston's bullpen. It's possible Greinke occupies the fourth starter spot (if/when necessary) in the postseason, but he appears to be a reliever for now. Having allowed at least five runs in each of his last three big-league appearances, Greinke figures to pitch Sunday to regain some confidence heading into the ALDS.

The Yankees recalled Gil from Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre on Sunday, Bryan Hoch of MLB.com reports.

Gil fills DJ LeMahieu's (hernia) active roster spot before the final game of the regular season. The righty has been getting relief work at Triple-A and should be available to get middle-innings outs Sunday and potentially beyond.

Odorizzi didn't factor into the decision Saturday against the Athletics after allowing three runs on seven hits and a walk across 4.2 innings, fanning three.

Odorizzi ended a streak of six straight appearances allowing two or fewer runs, and this was his fourth straight no-decision as well. He posted a 3.15 ERA through his five appearances since the beginning of September, but his season-long ERA was a 4.21 mark through 104.2 innings across 24 appearances (23 starts).

Blackburn (1-4) was tagged with the loss Saturday against Houston after allowing six runs on seven hits and a walk while fanning two across two innings.

This wasn't a solid end of the season for the right-hander, who gave up a season-high six runs while also tossing his shortest outing of the campaign. Plus, the three home runs he gave up represents a season-high mark as well. Blackburn only made eight starts on the year but his numbers were not encouraging, as he ended the season with a 5.87 ERA and a 1.62 WHIP through 38.1 innings.

The Red Sox activated Whitlock (pectoral) from the 10-day injured list Sunday, Chris Cotillo of The Springfield Republican reports.

Whitlock hasn't pitched since Sept. 19 due to a pectoral strain, but he'll likely see action if Sunday's game against the Nationals is close in the late innings. Further, he'll be one of manager Alex Cora' top relief options in any potential Game 163, wild card game or ensuing postseason round.

Bubic (6-7) was charged with the loss against Minnesota on Saturday, pitching 6.2 innings and allowing three runs (two earned) on seven hits and no walks while striking out five.

Bubic gave up a single run in each of the first, fourth and fifth frames, with the fourth-inning tally largely caused by an infield error. The southpaw pitched into the seventh for the third straight outing but was outdueled by rookie Griffin Jax, who gave up only one hit in five scoreless frames. Bubic ends the campaign with a 4.43 ERA, but he finished on a high note, posting a 2.05 ERA, 0.91 WHIP and 23:7 K:BB across his final five starts covering 30.2 innings.

Flexen got a no-decision in Saturday's 6-4 victory over the Angels, allowing one run on six hits and one walk with one strikeout in 5.1 innings.

Flexen pitched well in Saturday's win, permitting just one run on a Jose Rojas home run in the fifth inning, but he was saddled with the no-decision as Seattle's offense didn't get going until late. After sitting out the 2020 season, the 27-year-old concludes the regular season with a 14-6 record in 31 starts with a 3.61 ERA, 1.25 WHIP and 125:40 K:BB in 179.2 innings.

Giolito didn't factor in the decision against Detroit on Saturday, pitching five innings and allowing one run on two hits and one walk while striking out three.

Giolito was effective in his final start of the regular season, as the Tigers were held to a lone run and didn't produce any extra-base hits against the hurler. He was outdueled by Detroit starter Matt Manning, who pitched five scoreless frames and also gave up only a pair of hits, though a late-game comeback by Chicago resulted in both pitchers notching a no-decision. Giolito finishes the regular season with a 3.53 ERA, 1.10 WHIP and 201 strikeouts across 178.2 innings. His next outing will likely come in the ALDS.

Manning pitched five scoreless innings against the White Sox on Saturday, allowing two hits and one walk while striking out seven. He did not factor in the decision.

Manning's final start of his rookie campaign was arguably his finest, as the right-hander yielded a season-low two hits while tossing his first scoreless outing. He also notched a season-high seven strikeouts, but a late-game collapse by Detroit's bullpen cost him a victory. Manning enjoyed some bright moments throughout the season, though he wraps up the campaign with a 5.80 ERA, 1.51 WHIP and 4-7 record. He should be a key part of the Tigers' rotation in 2022.