Alvarez (1-1) took the loss on Friday, allowing six runs (four earned) on seven hits and one walk with four strikeouts over 3.1 innings.

Alvarez entered the fourth inning with a 4-2 lead but was charged with four runs while failing to escape the frame. It was the first time the young southpaw allowed more than two runs in his four major-league outings, and he now owns a 2.84 ERA, 1.11 WHIP and 15:7 K:BB across 19 innings with the Nationals. He lines up to finish the 2025 campaign in a road matchup with Atlanta next week.

Gray (14-8) allowed one run on nine hits and struck out seven without walking a batter over six innings to earn the win over the Brewers on Friday.

Gray was a little generous with the hits, but he was able to limit the damage to a Sal Frelick solo shot in the third inning. This was Gray's first quality start of September -- he's allowed 13 runs over 22.1 innings across his four outings this month. For the season, he now has a 4.33 ERA, 1.23 WHIP and 194:36 K:BB through 174.2 innings spanning 31 starts. He's lined up for his season finale next week in a road start versus the Giants, and he's within striking distance of earning his third 200-strikeout campaign.

Sproat did not factor into the decision in Friday's 12-6 win over the Nationals, allowing four runs on four hits and two walks with five strikeouts over four innings.

Sproat tossed three perfect frames but was done in by a four-run third inning, throwing 42 of his 71 total pitches for strikes while generating just six whiffs. The outing was a step back for the 25-year-old after he opened his career with back-to-back quality starts, but he still owns a respectable 3.94 ERA, 1.19 WHIP and 15:6 K:BB across 16 major-league innings. Sproat will look to finish the regular season on a high note in a tough road matchup with the Cubs next week.

Cease (8-12) conceded four runs on four hits and three walks over six innings to take the loss Friday against the White Sox. He struck out six.

The San Diego righty entered this appearance on a successful run, going 2-0 with a 2.40 ERA in 15 innings over three starts this month. Despite taking his 12th loss Friday, establishing a new career-worst mark, Cease pitched relatively well. In this 100-pitch outing, the 29-year-old allowed just one extra-base hit -- a Miguel Vargas two-run homer in the first. Cease will carry a 4.64 ERA, 1.32 WHIP and 207:69 K:BB across 163 total frames into his next start, which currently projects come at home against Milwaukee.

Senga allowed four runs on six hits and two walks while striking out four across 3.2 innings in a start with Triple-A Syracuse on Thursday.

Senga fanned eight over six innings of one-run ball in his first outing after being demoted to Syracuse, so Thursday's performance was a clear step backward. With Syracuse's season ending Sunday, the plan is for Senga to throw either a simulated game or live batting practice session next, Mike Puma of the New York Post reports. It's looking unlikely at this point that Senga will be able to show enough to convince the Mets he should be included on their postseason roster, should they qualify.

The Nationals have demoted Parker to the bullpen, Mark Zuckerman of MASNSports.com reports.

Parker has a 7.19 ERA in the second half and a 5.85 ERA over 30 starts for the Nationals this season. He should get another opportunity to compete for a spot in the rotation next season, but for the rest of this year he'll likely be a low-leverage reliever. The Nationals had been using a six-man rotation and will now revert to a traditional five-man setup.

Lowder (oblique/forearm) recently underwent an MRI on his right shoulder that came back negative, Charlie Goldsmith of Fox 19 Now Cincinnati reports.

Reds manager Terry Francona noted that Lowder -- who hasn't pitched since Sept. 13 -- was having trouble recovering in between appearances. While imaging came back clean, Lowder's rehab will be slowed, which effectively ends his season. He's been limited to just five rehab appearances this season due to forearm, oblique and now shoulder issues.

Atlanta selected Lara's contract from Triple-A Gwinnett on Friday.

Lara has split time between the rotation and bullpen at Double-A Columbus and Gwinnett this season, posting a 7.73 ERA and 104:65 K:BB over 68.2 innings. The 22-year-old has electric stuff but has really struggled to throw strikes at every level. Atlanta will take a look at Lara as a bullpen arm down the stretch.

Buehler will follow Taijuan Walker in a tandem start Friday in Arizona, Matt Gelb of The Athletic reports.

Aaron Nola will take the ball Saturday and Ranger Suarez will go Sunday for the Phillies. The rotation realignment not only sets up Cristopher Sanchez for the first game of the postseason, it also allows the club to get a look at Buehler in a different role, with the idea that he might be used in long relief in the playoffs. Buehler was solid in his Phillies debut last week against the Royals, striking out three over five innings of one-run ball. He'll have a better chance of picking up a win Friday as the second leg of a piggyback start.

Walker will be piggybacked by Walker Buehler on Friday in Arizona, Matt Gelb of The Athletic reports.

Walker will get the ball first in the tandem start. The Phillies initially operated with a six-man rotation when Buehler was added to the mix, but they're realigning things in order to set up Cristopher Sanchez for the first game of the postseason. Walker has struggled lately, collecting a 7.20 ERA and 14:9 K:BB over 25 innings covering his last five starts.