-
Chris Bassitt SP | BAL
Athletics' Chris Bassitt: Another short start
Bassitt got a no-decision during Tuesday's 4-2 loss to Seattle, allowing one run on three hits and three walks with one strikeout in 3.1 innings.
Bassitt ran into trouble early but escaped a bases-loaded one-out jam in the first inning and surrendered his lone run after Yusmeiro Petit permitted an inherited runner to score in the fourth. The 32-year-old struggled with his control Tuesday, throwing just 36 of 67 pitches for strikes, though he's pitched well in two starts since returning from a scary liner to the face with one run allowed in 6.1 total innings. With Oakland on the brink of being eliminated from playoff contention, it's reasonable to think this may have been Bassitt's final appearance of the season.
-
Brady Singer SP | CIN
Royals' Brady Singer: Avoids elbow, shoulder issues
Manager Mike Matheny said after Tuesday's win over Cleveland that Singer is dealing with a right "mid-arm" injury, and scans showed no damage to his elbow or shoulder, Joel Goldberg of Bally Sports Kansas City reports.
The 25-year-old was removed during the first inning of Tuesday's start with what was initially labeled right upper arm discomfort, but after some evaluation it appears he's avoided the most troublesome arm injuries. Singer didn't factor in the decision after giving up three runs on three hits and a walk over two-thirds of an inning. He lines up for one final turn through the rotation in the final game of the regular season Sunday against the Twins, though it's unclear whether the injury will cause his season to end a bit early.
-
Hyun-Jin Ryu SP | TOR
Blue Jays' Hyun Jin Ryu: Yields three runs
Ryu (13-10) was charged with the loss Tuesday against the Yankees after surrendering three runs on six hits and a walk while striking out three across 4.1 innings.
Ryu was activated from the injured list ahead of Tuesday's start after missing one turn in the rotation with a minor neck strain. The southpaw gave up a solo homer to Aaron Judge in the third frame, then ran into more trouble in the fifth, when he allowed an RBI single to Anthony Rizzo, who would be his final batter of the night. Ryu has seen his share of struggles in the latter half of the season but will look to get back on track during his next projected start at home Sunday against Baltimore. Across 30 appearances, the 34-year-old has put together a 4.39 ERA and 1.22 WHIP.
-
Chris Sale SP | ATL
Red Sox's Chris Sale: Takes first loss
Sale (5-1) was charged with the loss against the Orioles on Tuesday after surrendering three runs on four hits and a walk while striking out six across 5.1 innings.
Sale blanked the Orioles through the first five frames, but trouble struck in the sixth inning when a two-run homer by Ryan Mountcastle blemished the scoreboard. It marked the first time all season the southpaw allowed as many as three runs, leading to his first loss. Sale, who missed the first four months of the season due to Tommy John surgery, has put up solid numbers in his eight appearances, pitching to the tune of a 2.90 ERA and 1.24 WHIP. He'll look to rebound during his next projected start Sunday at Washington.
-
Brady Singer SP | CIN
Royals' Brady Singer: Exits with arm discomfort
Singer was removed from Tuesday's start against Cleveland with right upper arm discomfort, Alec Lewis of The Athletic reports.
Singer surrendered three runs on three hits and a walk during the first inning, and he was lifted with the injury after recording only two outs. The right-hander lined up to start the final game of the regular season Sunday against the Twins, but his availability for his final turn through the rotation is now unclear.
-
Jameson Taillon SP | TOR
Yankees' Jameson Taillon: Aggravates ankle injury
Taillon was removed during the third inning of Tuesday's start against the Blue Jays after appearing to aggravate his right ankle injury, Lindsey Adler of The Athletic reports.
Taillon was sidelined the past three weeks with a right ankle tendon injury before being activated for Tuesday's outing, and he appeared to aggravate the injury and exited with an athletic trainer after recording only seven outs. He allowed one run on one hit with two strikeouts and a walk before leaving the game, and he won't factor in the decision. More importantly, the right-hander's availability is now up in the air for the final turn through the rotation as well as a potential postseason run.
-
Bailey Ober SP | MIN
Twins' Bailey Ober: Hip strain ends season
Ober was placed on the 10-day injured list Tuesday, ending his 2021 season, Brandon Warne of Access Twins reports.
Ober lined up for one final start of the season this week, but his rookie campaign will instead come to an unceremonious end due to the hip issue. The 26-year-old had a strong showing in his first taste of the majors with a 4.19 ERA, 1.20 WHIP and 96:19 K:BB across 92.1 innings (20 starts). He'll have more than four months to get healthy before the start of spring training, where he should have an inside track to a rotation spot for 2022.
-
Garrett Whitlock RP | BOS
Red Sox's Garrett Whitlock: Could return over weekend
Manager Alex Cora said that Whitlock (pectoral) made about 60 throws while playing catch Tuesday and that the right-hander could be activated from the 10-day injured list during the upcoming weekend series against the Nationals, Chris Cotillo of The Springfield Republican reports.
Cora noted that Whitlock is not expected to be ready to be activated when first eligible Thursday. So long as the right-hander is indeed able to return during the final regular-season series in Washington, he should be a candidate to log high-leverage postseason innings should Boston qualify. Whitlock posted an impressive 1.99 ERA, 1.12 WHIP and 79:17 K:BB to go along with three saves and 15 holds before moving to the IL with a pectoral strain Sept. 21.
-
Zack Greinke SP | KC
Astros' Zack Greinke: Could work as reliever in playoffs
Manager Dusty Baker said Tuesday that Greinke (neck) will "probably not" make another regular-season start and that that there is a "distinct possibility" the right-hander works out of the bullpen during the playoffs, Chandler Rome of the Houston Chronicle reports.
The Astros previously expressed hope that Greinke would return to the starting rotation by the end of the regular season, but Baker's latest update suggests that he may be unlikely to return before the playoffs. Greinke struggled severely in his last three starts before landing on the IL last Friday, allowing 18 earned runs on 19 hits and six walks across 13 innings. WIth those woes in mind, it's easy to see why Houston thinks the seasoned right-hander could be better suited for a bullpen role during the postseason. Per Brian McTaggart of MLB.com, Greinke is expected to make a rehab outing with Triple-A Sugar Land on Thursday before his next steps are determined.
-
Joe Ryan SP | MIN
Twins' Joe Ryan: Final start coming Thursday
The Twins plan to reinstate Ryan from the bereavement list to make his final start of the season Thursday against the Tigers, Do-Hyoung Park of MLB.com reports.
Minnesota may wait all the way until Thursday before adding Ryan back to the 28-man active roster, but the rookie right-hander shouldn't be subject to any major restrictions for what will be his final outing of 2021. He dazzled his last time out Sept. 22 against the Cubs at Wrigley Field, covering five innings and giving up two runs while striking out 11 en route to collecting his second win in four starts.