MLB Player News

Houser (8-5) allowed three hits and two walks over five scoreless frames Sunday, striking out five and picking up a win over the Cubs.

Houser worked out of a bases-loaded jam in the first inning and steered clear of danger for the rest of his outing. It was his first scoreless start since May 24. He's given up two or fewer earned runs in five of his last six starts, registering a 3.21 ERA during that span. Houser turned in a 4.12 ERA and a 96:34 K:BB through 111.1 innings during his 2023 regular season.

Mikolas (9-13) allowed three runs on seven hits and struck out 10 without walking a batter over seven innings to earn the win Sunday over the Reds.

Mikolas matched his season high with 10 strikeouts. He logged quality starts in his last two outings of the season after an inconsistent campaign overall, which saw the veteran right-hander post a 4.78 ERA, 1.32 WHIP and 137:39 K:BB across 201.1 innings. Mikolas is under contract for 2024, so he should be a mid-rotation starter for the Cardinals after enduring the worst of his five years with the club in 2023.

Hill (8-14) picked up the win in Sunday's 2-1 extra-inning game against the White Sox. He allowed one run on two hits while striking out three over two innings.

This was Hill's second appearance out of the bullpen since going unclaimed on waivers Sept. 14, and his first win since he was starting for the Pirates in June. The southpaw wrapped his season with a 5.41 ERA and 1.52 WHIP across 146.1 innings with 129 strikeouts. The 43-year-old Hill enters free agency with uncertainty regarding his future; however, his 3.38 ERA in a limited sample of 10 innings as a reliever may be enticing enough to teams looking to bolster their bullpen with a multi-inning arm.

Seabold allowed two runs on six hits and a walk over four innings in Sunday's win against the Twins. He struck out five and did not factor in the decision,

Seabold coughed up two runs in the second inning before turning in three scoreless frames. He entered the contest after Brent Suter threw one inning as the opener. Seabold yielded 13 runs over 9.2 MLB innings after the calendar turned to August and ended his 2023 campaign with a 7.52 ERA across 87.1 frames.

Butto (1-4) allowed two runs on five hits and two walks while striking out four over six innings, taking the loss Sunday versus the Phillies.

Butto earned his third quality start of the season but was once again let down by his offense. The right-hander allowed two or fewer runs in all but two of his nine appearances (seven starts), but he came away with just one win. He finishes 2023 with a 3.64 ERA, 1.33 WHIP and 38:23 K:BB over 42 major-league innings.

Wheeler is starting Game 1 of the NL Wild Card Series against the Marlins on Tuesday.

Wheeler had a 3.29 ERA, 0.98 WHIP and 47 strikeouts in 41 innings over his final seven starts of the season. He will pitch opposite Jesus Luzardo.

Rutledge allowed five runs on five hits and two walks while striking out four over five innings Sunday against Atlanta. He did not factor into the decision.

Rutledge was handed a four-run lead before he even took the mound but couldn't hold onto it for long. He allowed a two-run single in the bottom of the inning and a game-tying three-run blast to Marcell Ozuna in the third. The 24-year-old finished with a 6.75 ERA and 12:6 K:BB over four starts during his late-season audition for the Nationals. He had two good outings and two bad ones and figures to be in the running for a spot in the rotation for 2024.

Garrett will start Game 2 of the NL Wild Card Series against the Phillies on Wednesday, Jordan McPherson of the Miami Herald reports.

Garrett had a breakout season and logged a 2.10 ERA, 1.01 WHIP and 21 strikeouts in 25.2 innings over his final five starts. Jesus Luzardo will get the ball in Game 1.

Luzardo will start Game 1 of the NL Wild Card Series against the Phillies on Tuesday, Jordan McPherson of the Miami Herald reports.

The Phillies' playoff rotation has yet to be announced. Luzardo had a 2.91 ERA, 1.09 WHIP and 38 strikeouts in 34 innings over his final six starts of the season.

Smyly (11-11) allowed three runs on two hits while retiring only a single batter to take the loss Sunday against the Brewers. He walked three.

Smyly struggled badly in the season finale, throwing just 11 of his 28 pitches for strikes and retiring only the one batter. The veteran southpaw bounced between the bullpen and rotation this year, ultimately making 23 starts and 18 relief appearances. Smyly finishes 2023 with an even 5.00 ERA across 142.1 innings. He's under contract next season in Chicago, though he's not an appealing fantasy option at this point in his career.