MLB Player News

Pepiot (8-8) took the loss Sunday against Boston, allowing two runs (one earned) on four hits and two walks while striking out five in four innings.

Pepiot ran into trouble in the third inning when an RBI double by Vaughn Grissom drove in the game's first run. An unfortunate throwing error by the Rays defense compounded the damage, allowing another run to score. Pepiot wasn't given much of a chance to recover, as he was pulled after throwing just 63 pitches in the regular-season finale. Acquired from the Dodgers in the Tyler Glasnow trade last winter, the 27-year-old Pepiot enjoyed a successful inaugural season for the Rays, pitching to a 3.60 ERA, 1.15 WHIP and 142:48 K:BB in 130 innings (26 starts).

Priester (3-6) pitched five innings of one-run ball to pick up the win Sunday against the Rays, allowing four hits and one walk while striking out two.

Called up Sunday to make his Red Sox debut, Priester held his own to notch his third win of the season. The right-hander did not allow an extra-base hit, limiting the Rays to just four singles thanks to a robust 12:2 GB:FB. Acquired from Pittsburgh at the trade deadline, Priester struggled to a 5.40 ERA, 1.26 WHIP and 42:12 K:BB in 38.1 innings (nine starts) for Triple-A Worcester. Sunday's start was a step in the right direction, but Priester likely needs more time to develop in the minor leagues before becoming a major-league asset. The 24-year-old owns an ugly 6.23 ERA, 1.56 WHIP and 69:41 K:BB in 94.2 career MLB innings (15 starts).

Singer will pitch out of the bullpen during the American League Wild Card Round, Anne Rogers of MLB.com reports.

Singer pitched a career-high 179.2 innings this year for Kansas City, logging a 3.71 ERA, 1.27 WHIP and 170 strikeouts. Cole Ragans, Seth Lugo and Michael Wacha line up as Kansas City's starting rotation in the wild-card round.

Maeda is starting Sunday against the White Sox.

This will be Maeda's first start since July 9. He has been much better out of the bullpen (3.86 ERA, 1.07 WHIP) than in the rotation (7.26 ERA, 1.58 WHIP) this season, but the Tigers will look to him to eat some innings on the final day of the regular season.

Penrod was optioned to Triple-A Worcester on Sunday.

The 27-year-old lefty split the majority of his season between Double-A and Triple-A, establishing himself as a fringe prospect despite his age. Control was an issue for Penrod at Triple-A (16.1 percent walk rate), and he walked four batters in four innings while up with the big club.

Priester was recalled from Triple-A Worcester on Sunday ahead of his start against the Rays.

Priester will be making his Red Sox debut, as he last pitched in the majors July 27 as a member of the Pirates before getting traded to Boston two days later for Nick Yorke. Priester gave up eight runs in his first start for Worcester, but he has a 3.75 ERA, 1.06 WHIP and 38 strikeouts in 36 innings over his last eight starts. He'll likely have a chance to compete for a big-league rotation spot in the spring.

Canning did not factor into the decision in a loss to the Rangers on Saturday, allowing two runs on four hits and two walks over five innings while striking out four.

Canning gave up a leadoff knock in three of his five innings of work, including a home run to Nathaniel Lowe in the second, but the right-hander still managed to hold Texas to just two runs over that stretch while generating 10 swings and misses. It was a solid showing for Canning, who's now gone at least five frames in six of his last seven starts. However, it also marked the sixth consecutive outing in which he's given up multiple free passes.

Heaney did not factor into the decision in a win over the Angels on Saturday, allowing seven runs on 10 hits over four innings while striking out three.

Heaney struggled with his command from the jump, allowing multiple hits in three of his four innings of work, which led to the southpaw being tagged for a season-high seven runs on the night. It marked the first time in his last seven starts that he was unable to make it through five frames, while the 10 hits he surrendered also marked a season high. Heaney has given up at least three runs and at least one long ball in four consecutive outings to close out the season. He carries a 5.96 ERA in September to go along with a 26:4 K:BB.

Stripling fired a scoreless sixth inning in an extra-inning loss to the Mariners on Saturday, issuing a walk.

The veteran right-hander had been activated from the injured list Friday, and manager Mark Kotsay opted to have him return in a relief capacity. Stripling has struggled to a 2-11 record, 6.01 ERA and 1.54 WHIP across 22 appearances (14 starts) in his debut Athletics campaign, making him a dubious candidate for a return to the team in free agency this offseason.

Hancock did not factor into the decision in Saturday's extra-inning win over the Athletics, allowing three earned runs on five hits and four walks over 5.1 innings. He struck out three.

Hancock tossed only 56 of 93 pitches for strikes and generated a modest eight whiffs. He allowed a solo home run to Tyler Soderstrom to lead off the sixth inning before exiting a batter later, making it his longest outing at the big-league level since June 13. The right-hander shuttled between Seattle and Triple-A Tacoma this season, and he finished with a 4-4 mark, 4.75 ERA, 1.34 WHIP and 39:19 K:BB across 60.2 big-league innings over 12 starts. Hancock posted better overall numbers in 16 starts with the Rainiers (6-3, 3.26 ERA, 1.27 WHIP), and he could get a chance to try and crack the major-league rotation again in spring training, although the M's aren't lacking for pitching depth.