MLB Player News

Luzardo didn't factor in the decision Tuesday in Game 1 of the NL Wild Card Series against Atlanta. He gave up a run on three hits and one walk while striking out six across five innings.

Luzardo fired one scoreless inning out of the bullpen Sunday versus the Rays as he returned to a big-league mound after missing most of September due to shoulder inflammation, so it was quite impressive to see him in such strong form Tuesday while making his first start in three weeks. The left-hander threw 77 pitches (48 strikes) and generated 11 whiffs in what was the best playoff start of his big-league career. Luzardo closed the regular season with a 2.86 ERA, 1.07 WHIP and 221:52 K:BB across 179.2 innings. The Phillies will need to win the next two games for him to make another start this year.

Sale didn't factor in the decision in Game 1 of the NL Wild Card Series against the Phillies on Tuesday. He struck out nine while giving up three runs on four hits and a walk over 6.1 innings.

The veteran left-hander surrendered a run during the first inning but shut down Philadelphia for the next five frames before he put on two runners in the seventh that came around to score on righty reliever Didier Fuentes. Sale made just three starts in September as the club managed his workload down the stretch, and he looked plenty fresh Tuesday, touching 100 mph and throwing 95 pitches (65 strikes). Atlanta completed the comeback, and should it complete the series win, Sale tentatively lines up to pitch in Game 2 of the NLDS against the Dodgers on Sunday.

Woodruff (shoulder) completed the flat-ground portion of his throwing program Sunday and is awaiting to receive clearance to throw off the mound, Adam McCalvy of MLB.com reports.

The veteran hurler is working his way back from a capsule strain in his right shoulder, an injury that was initially expected to require surgery before Woodruff healed more quickly than anticipated. If Woodruff gains clearance for mound work -- which isn't a given -- the right-hander could have a small chance to pitch at some point in the postseason.

Tidwell will undergo a right elbow UCL repair in mid-October, Justice delos Santos of The San Jose Mercury Newsreports.

Surgery for the right-hander was the expected outcome, and now it has officially been scheduled. If Tidwell winds up needing a full Tommy John surgery -- which is likely since he's dealing with a high-grade tear -- he'll be sidelined until the 2028 season.

Houser (forearm) is expected to have a normal offseason throwing program and be ready for spring training, Justice delos Santos of The San Jose Mercury News reports.

Houser missed the final month-plus of the regular season while dealing with a right forearm strain. He will continue going through physical therapy for now but is expected to begin his offseason throwing at his normal time. Houser posted a 4.02 ERA and 75:34 K:BB over 109.2 innings in 2026 across 16 starts and 10 relief outings.

Steele (elbow) is not on the Cubs' roster for their wild-card series versus the Padres, Meghan Montemurro of the Chicago Tribune reports.

Steele has been out all season while recovering from UCL revision surgery and a flexor strain. He is physically ready to pitch now, having made four rehab appearances this month, but the Cubs have decided he's not a fit for their playoff roster. Steele could earn consideration in subsequent rounds, if his team advances.

Gausman (shoulder) is on the Cubs' roster for the wild-card series against the Padres, Jared Wyllys of AllCHGO.com reports.

Gausman injured his left (non-throwing) shoulder during his final start of the regular season last Wednesday. The Cubs have not yet announced their probable starters for Game 2 on Wednesday or a potential Game 3 on Thursday, but it's likely Gausman will start one of those contests. Gausman logged a 4.83 ERA and 57:11 K:BB over 50.1 innings in nine starts after the Cubs acquired him at the trade deadline.

The Padres activated Musgrove (elbow) from the 60-day injured list Tuesday, Dennis Lin of The Athletic reports.

Musgrove has not pitched in a major-league game in nearly two full years. He had Tommy John surgery in October 2024, had a setback during spring training and was then slowed earlier this month because he was having difficult recovering in between rehab starts. However, Musgrove was never shut down from throwing, and he's made enough progress to convince the Padres to include him on their roster for their NL Wild Card Series against the Cubs. Musgrove will be available in a relief role.

Marlins president of baseball operations Peter Bendix said Tuesday that Snelling (elbow) is expected to be throwing off a mound during spring training and should be game-ready by May or June, Isaac Azout of FishOnFirst.com reports.

Snelling required an internal brace surgery in May to repair a UCL tear in his left elbow. The recovery time for that type of procedure is shorter than that of a Tommy John rehab, giving Snelling a chance to contribute to the Marlins at some point before the All-Star break next season. The left-hander yielded three runs in five innings in his major-league debut in 2026, and he's been dominant at Triple-A Jacksonville the last two seasons while pitching to a 1.46 ERA and 132:33 K:BB over 98.2 frames.

Cardinals president of baseball operations Chaim Bloom said Monday that Fitts (lat) is on track to be ready at the start of spring training but will have his workload monitored, Derrick Goold of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch reports.

Fitts underwent right lat surgery in April after getting hurt while pitching at Triple-A Memphis. It's unclear where Fitts currently is in the rehab process, but Bloom said the righty is "hellbent on being part of this picture from the jump" next season. Assuming health, Fitts will be in the mix for a rotation spot next season. However, after all the time off there's a good chance he'll begin the campaign back at Memphis.