MLB Player News

Nola (4-10) allowed four runs on seven hits and two walks while striking out four over 5.1 innings to take the loss Saturday versus the Diamondbacks.

Nola had a lead to work with after Alec Bohm put the Phillies ahead in the fourth inning, but the Diamondbacks were able to scrape together a pair of runs in the sixth. That saddled Nola with his third loss over four outings in September, and he's now allowed 16 runs over 22.1 innings this month. The veteran right-hander has a 6.46 ERA, 1.45 WHIP and 88:28 K:BB through 86.1 innings across 16 starts this season. This is the first year since 2016 he's had to contend with significant injury issues, and he's been inconsistent since returning from a right ankle sprain and stress fracture in his rib in August. His last start of the regular season is projected to be at home versus the Twins, but his recent poor pitching casts doubt that he'll be a starter in the playoffs.

Gallen (13-14) allowed three runs on four hits and two walks while striking out nine over seven innings to earn the win Saturday over the Phillies.

The nine strikeouts were the most Gallen has had in a start since July 7 versus the Padres. This was his sixth quality start in his last seven outings, and it was the first time he's completed seven frames since July 1 against the Giants. Gallen is ending the year strong, though his early struggles are evident in his 4.70 ERA and 1.24 WHIP through 187.2 innings. Gallen also allowed 30 homers in a season for the first time in his career when he gave up a solo shot to Alec Bohm in the fourth inning, giving Gallen the third-most homers allowed by a qualified starting pitcher this season. The right-hander's regular season is projected to come to a close with a home start versus the Dodgers next week.

Marquez (3-15) allowed two runs on four hits and a walk while striking out five over seven innings to take the loss Saturday versus the Angels.

This was one of Marquez's best starts of the year, but it went unrewarded as the Rockies failed to generate any run support. He still allowed a pair of home runs, which were solo shots by Taylor Ward and Nolan Schanuel. Marquez has lost four of five starts since returning from biceps tendinitis, and he's allowed 26 runs over 23.2 innings in that span. For the season, he's at a 6.49 ERA, 1.70 WHIP and 82:45 K:BB through 122 innings across 25 starts. The right-hander's last start of the season is projected to be at San Francisco.

Patrick yielded two runs on five hits and no walks over 4.1 innings with three strikeouts and took a no-decision in Saturday's 3-2 extra-inning victory at St. Louis.

Patrick reentered the Milwaukee rotation because Jose Quintana (calf) recently landed on the injured list. The rookie right-hander was fairly effective during his time on the mound, as he didn't give up any extra-base hits. The two runs Patrick allowed came on RBI singles by Nolan Arenado and Brendan Donovan. The 27-year-old now sports a 3.66 ERA, 1.28 WHIP and 119:37 K:BB across 115.2 total innings. Patrick currently projects to make his next start at home against the Reds next weekend.

Mikolas did not factor into the decision in Saturday's extra-inning loss to Milwaukee. He allowed two runs on seven hits and two walks over five innings with three strikeouts.

The St. Louis right-hander continued his recent run of solid form, notching his fifth straight outing with two or fewer runs allowed. Mikolas coughed up his first run in the second on a Joey Ortiz single while the second run on his register scored on an Andrew Vaughn sacrifice fly given up by reliever Kyle Leahy in the sixth. Across 151.1 total frames, Mikolas has pitched to a 4.76 ERA, 1.33 WHIP and 96:36 K:BB while conceding 26 long balls. He currently lines up to make his final start of the season against the division-rival Cubs in Chicago next weekend.

Wentz came away with a no-decision in Saturday's 6-5 win over the Tigers, allowing two runs on six hits and two walks over five innings. He struck out seven.

The southpaw left the mound after 84 pitches (55 strikes) in line for his sixth win, but the bullpen let the lead slip away before Atlanta's offense rallied late. Wentz's performances have been erratic since joining the rotation, and over his last eight starts he's failed to complete five innings four times, leading to a 5.64 ERA, 1.64 WHIP and 37:14 K:BB through 36.2 innings during that span. He's scheduled to take the bump one more time in 2025, at home next weekend against the Pirates.

Assad did not factor into the decision in Saturday's 6-3 loss to the Reds, allowing two runs on three hits with two strikeouts over two innings.

Assad managed just 43 strikes on 74 pitches and generated only four whiffs in his first start since Sept. 5. The 28-year-old has logged a 4.26 ERA, 1.29 WHIP and 17:11 K:BB across 31.2 innings through seven appearances (six starts) this season. If the Cubs elect to give him another turn in the rotation, he's lined up for a home matchup with the Cardinals next weekend.

Littell (10-8) earned the win against the Cubs on Saturday, allowing two runs on three hits and one walk with four strikeouts over five innings.

Littell allowed two solo homers but was otherwise steady, throwing 47 of 73 pitches for strikes and exiting with a 3-2 lead. Since joining the Reds, the 29-year-old has gone 2-0 over nine starts despite surrendering four or more runs in five of those outings. He'll carry a 3.86 ERA, 1.10 WHIP and 127:30 K:BB across 182 innings this season into a road matchup with the Brewers next weekend.

Patrick is slated to start Saturday's game in St. Louis, Sophia Minnaert of FanDuel Sports Network Wisconsin reports.

Since making a 4.1-inning spot start versus the Rangers back on Sept. 10, Patrick has shifted back to the bullpen. After striking out four batters across a pair of scoreless innings Sunday versus the Cardinals and Tuesday versus the Angels, Patrick will step back into the rotation this weekend as a replacement to Jose Quintana (calf), who was placed on the injured list. Though Patrick has mostly been outside of the big-league rotation since the All-Star break, he's been effective over his 24 outings (21 starts) for Milwaukee in 2025, logging a 3.64 ERA, 1.28 WHIP and 116:37 K:BB across 111.1 innings.

Assad is slated to start Saturday's game in Cincinnati, Andy Martinez of Marquee Sports Network reports.

The Cubs have already clinched a playoff berth but are six games behind the Brewers in the NL Central standings heading into play Saturday, so the team is essentially locked into a best-of-three wild-card series in the postseason. As a result, the Cubs appear content to build in an extra day of rest for their rotation members heading into the playoffs and will do so by having Assad make a spot start Saturday. Since moving to the bullpen earlier this month, Assad's lone relief appearance was a 2.1-inning outing back on Sept. 14, so he should be well rested and capable of providing plenty of length Saturday. Over six appearances (five starts) for the big club this season, Assad has gone 3-1 with a 4.23 ERA, 1.30 WHIP and 15:9 K:BB across 27.2 innings.