MLB Player News

Matthews didn't factor into the decision in Wednesday's 5-4 extra-innings win over the Yankees, allowing two hits and two walks over six scoreless innings. He struck out eight.

The 26-year-old right-hander put together one of his best performances of the season, firing 63 of 97 pitches for strikes, and Matthews left the mound in line for his 10th win of the year before both bullpens got squirrelly as the game went to 13 innings. The quality start was Matthews' 11th of the season, and three of them have come in his last five outings -- a stretch in which he's produced a 3.45 ERA, 0.94 WHIP and 26:8 K:BB over 28.2 innings. He's set to make what could be his final start of 2026 on the road early next week in San Francisco.

Rodon didn't factor into the decision in Wednesday's 5-4 extra-innings loss to the Twins, allowing two runs on four hits and three walks over six innings. He struck out five.

The veteran southpaw left the mound after 102 pitches (59 strikes) with the Yankees down 2-0, but they were able to tie it up in the ninth and take Rodon off the hook for his fourth loss. Rodon has produced back-to-back quality starts, giving him five on the season in 15 trips to the mound. Since coming off the IL in mid-August, he's delivered a 2.40 ERA, 0.93 WHIP and 31:12 K:BB over 30 innings. He lines up to make what will likely be his final start of the regular season at home next week against the Rays, in a game that could still have huge significance in the race for the AL East title.

Scherzer (3-8) earned the win Wednesday against the Tigers, allowing a run on three hits and three walks over five innings. He struck out three.

It was a strong bounce-back effort from Scherzer, who gave up six runs over five innings in a loss to Baltimore his last time out. The veteran right-hander allowed a two-out run in the first inning before settling in and blanking Detroit over his final four frames. Scherzer's ERA now sits at 6.07 through 16 starts (72.2 innings) this season with a 1.36 WHIP and 54:31 K:BB. He's currently in line to face the Orioles on the road his next time out.

Messick (12-9) picked up the win Wednesday, giving up three runs on seven hits over six innings in a 6-3 win over the White Sox. He struck out eight without walking a batter.

The southpaw fired 62 of 86 pitches for strikes in an impressive outing that helped Cleveland claim first place in the AL Central for the first time since July 4. The quality start was Messick's 14th of the season, and he hasn't been tagged for more than three runs in an outing since June 29, posting a 2.21 ERA, 1.01 WHIP and 80:18 K:BB in 77.1 innings over that span. He's set to make what will likely be his final start of the regular season on the road next week in Boston.

Kay didn't factor into the decision in Wednesday's 6-3 loss to the Guardians, allowing two unearned runs on two hits and two walks over four innings. He struck out three.

A Chase Meidroth error in the third inning opened the door for both runs against Kay, but the southpaw was still fairly sharp over 66 pitches (40 strikes). Kay hasn't worked five full frames in any of his last five outings, so he would likely need to come in behind an opener to have any chance of picking up his 10th win of the season. His 7.06 ERA, 1.52 WHIP and 17:8 K:BB in 21.2 innings over that five-game stretch isn't particularly fantasy-friendly either. He lines up to make his next trip to the mound on the road early next week in Kansas City.

Bradish was diagnosed with a sports hernia Wednesday, Jake Rill of MLB.com reports.

The Orioles placed Bradish on the injured list Sunday with an abdominal issue, ruling him out for the rest of the regular season. Manager Craig Albernaz said Wednesday that the 30-year-old righty is exploring all of his options, but now that he's officially dealing with a hernia, he likely won't be available to pitch in the postseason if the Orioles secure a wild-card spot.

Bieber's (shoulder) bullpen session has been pushed back again to either Friday or Saturday, Hazel Mae of Sportsnet reports.

Bieber was initially slated to throw off the mound Tuesday, but that got pushed back to Wednesday and now his bullpen session has been delayed again. The right-hander did throw on flat ground Tuesday, and he's still aiming to return before the curtains close on the regular season. Bieber hasn't pitched since Aug. 20 due to right shoulder inflammation, so even if he does return next week his workload would be relatively limited.

Yesavage (knee) will throw a bullpen session this weekend and is on track to be activated from the 15-day injured list either Sunday or Monday, Mitch Bannon of The Athletic reports.

Yesavage didn't fare well in a rehab appearance Tuesday with Triple-A Buffalo, allowing two runs (one earned) on two hits and one walk over just two-thirds of an inning. However, the Blue Jays are fighting for a wild car spot, so they don't have the luxury of giving Yesavage more time to get sharp. Yesavage could start Sunday against the Rangers or Monday versus the Orioles, but he'll be very limited from a workload perspective.

Lagrange (shoulder) was activated from the 7-day injured list by Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre on Wednesday, Gary Phillips of the New York Daily News reports.

Lagrange has been sidelined for more than two months as he works his way back from a right shoulder sprain. The hard-throwing righty was moved to the bullpen at SWB in early June and posted a 5.02 ERA and 20:8 K:BB over 14.1 innings in a relief role. Lagrange is not expected to be a candidate to pitch for the Yankees this season, but perhaps he could change minds if he looks good in the coming days at the team's top minor-league affiliate.

The Yankees activated Schmidt (elbow) from the 60-day injured list Wednesday.

Schmidt has completed the long rehab from an internal brace procedure and will aim to help the Yankees out in a relief role down the stretch. The right-hander made five rehab appearances, allowing three runs with an 11:1 K:BB over seven innings.