MLB Player News

Syndergaard will work as Zack Wheeler's piggyback partner for the next two turns in the rotation, Matt Gelb of The Athletic reports.

Syndergaard, who has a 6.14 ERA and 1.50 WHIP over his last four starts, lost the battle for the last rotation spot to Bailey Falter and will come in to relieve Wheeler in his first two starts back from the injured list. The arrangement could lead to Syndergaard qualifying for a win or two if he pitches well in this new role. His first opportunity will come Wednesday against Toronto, and he's then expected to follow Wheeler again Sept. 27 in Chicago. The Phillies expect to add Syndergaard back to their rotation for their Oct. 1 doubleheader in Washington.

Falter will remain in the Phillies' rotation once Zack Wheeler (forearm) is activated next week, Matt Gelb of The Athletic reports.

To create room for Wheeler in the rotation, the Phillies will move Noah Syndergaard to a relief role, at least in the short term. Falter has a 2.52 ERA, 0.87 WHIP and 30:3 K:BB in 35.2 innings over his last six starts. He'll pick up another start Sunday in Atlanta and tentatively lines up to face Atlanta again next weekend in Philadelphia.

Urena did not factor into the decision Saturday, allowing one run on seven hits and two walks over six innings against the Cubs. He struck out four.

Urena allowed an RBI single from P.J. Higgins with two outs in the fifth inning for the first run of the game. The righty has been awful overall in his last 10 starts with a 7.03 ERA and 1.77 WHIP over 48.2 innings; however, the 31-year-old has allowed only one run in back-to-back outings and has gone five straight without surrendering a home run.

Woodruff (11-4) gave up one earned run on five hits and one walk while striking out 10 over eight innings to earn the win in a 4-1 victory over the Yankees on Saturday.

Woodruff had success elevating his fastball and attacking the upper part of the zone against Yankees hitters. He garnered 16 swinging strikes and now boasts an excellent 162 strikeouts in 135.2 innings pitched this season. Woodruff has been in a groove lately, notching 21 strikeouts over his last 14 innings pitched. The 29-year-old right-hander is tentatively expected to make his next start at Cincinnati.

Urias (17-7) earned the win during Saturday's 7-2 victory over San Francisco, allowing two runs (one earned) on five hits and one walk with eight strikeouts in six innings.

Urias fell behind early when a run scored as a result of an error in the first inning, but Los Angeles quickly responded to pull ahead 6-2 at the conclusion of the third. The 26-year-old has won 14 of his last 15 decisions -- surrendering just one run in his lone loss -- while posting a 1.91 ERA in 94.1 innings during the 16-start stretch. Urias' 2.27 ERA and 0.95 WHIP both rank fourth in MLB while his 17 wins rank second.

Odorizzi took a no-decision versus the Phillies on Saturday. He allowed a run on two hits and one walk while striking out five over 4.2 innings.

While the surface stats look good, the Phillies were able to work some long at-bats against the right-hander. Odorizzi exited the game one out short of a win after throwing 61 of 93 pitches for strikes. He's now failed to complete six innings in six of his seven starts for Atlanta since coming over in a trade from Houston at the deadline. Through 93.2 innings this year, he has a 4.04 ERA, 1.25 WHIP and 73:28 K:BB. Odorizzi is tentatively projected for a rematch on the road against the Phillies next week.

Nola (9-12) allowed four runs on seven hits and two walks while striking out eight over seven innings, taking the loss Saturday versus Atlanta.

Nola didn't receive enough run support, and he was troubled by Ronald Acuna, who tagged him for a two-run home run and a two-run double in the third and fourth innings. Nola's inconsistency continued -- he's given up four or more runs in three of his last six outings, and one or fewer in the other three starts in that span. The 29-year-old right-hander now has a 3.38 ERA, 0.98 WHIP and 210:26 K:BB through 186.1 innings through 29 starts. He'll look to get on track again in a rematch with Atlanta at home next weekend.

Bassitt (14-8) earned the win Saturday over the Pirates, allowing three hits, two walks and a hit batter while striking out eight over six scoreless innings.

Bassitt gave the Pirates very little to work with, allowing just three of the six baserunners he allowed to get into scoring position. Over his previous five outings, Bassitt had yielded 14 runs in 30 innings in a fairly average stretch of pitching. He now has a 3.32 ERA, 1.14 WHIP and 163:45 K:BB through 171 innings across a career-high 28 starts after Saturday's strong outing. The 33-year-old is projected for a road start against his former team in Oakland next week.

Greene allowed four hits and struck out 11 over six scoreless innings in a no-decision versus the Cardinals in the second game of Saturday's doubleheader.

Greene went step-for-step with Jose Quintana over the first six frames of this game. Greene missed over six weeks with a shoulder injury. He threw 58 of 81 pitches for strikes in his return and looks to be in dominant form once again. He has a 4.97 ERA, 1.26 WHIP and 138:41 K:BB through 108.2 innings across 21 starts this year. The rookie right-hander will likely get two or three more starts this year, with his next one projected to come against Milwaukee next week.

Matz (5-3) struck out one in a perfect inning to earn the win in the second game of Saturday's doubleheader versus the Reds.

Matz made his return from a torn left MCL in this appearance. He was immediately rewarded as the Cardinals won in the 11th inning after generating the lone run of the game on an error. This was Matz's first relief outing since 2020 with the Mets and just his sixth appearance out of the bullpen in his career. He has a 5.56 ERA, 1.28 WHIP and 52:9 K:BB through 43.2 innings this year, though it's expected he'll serve as a multi-inning reliever for the rest of the campaign.