MLB Player News

Mahle (shoulder) isn't under consideration to replace Luis Castillo in the rotation Sunday against the Pirates, Mark Sheldon of MLB.com reports.

Reds manager Jim Riggleman didn't suggest Mahle would be available in relief for the Reds' three-game series with the Pirates this weekend either, implying the right-hander's 2018 campaign has come to an end. Though Mahle has been dealing with a tender shoulder since mid-September, it's not believed to be a major concern for the 23-year-old heading into the offseason. Sal Romano appears to be the leading candidate to start the Reds' final game of the season after Castillo was shut down due to workload concerns.

Williams (14-10) threw five innings and took the loss Thursday, allowing three runs on eight hits and three walks while striking out four in a loss to the Cubs.

Williams allowed a two-run triple to David Bote in the second inning before an RBI single from Daniel Murphy in the fourth. The 6-foot-3 righty will end his 2018 campaign with a strong 3.11 ERA across 170.2 innings. He also posted a 126:55 K:BB.

Teheran (9-9) pitched six innings and took the loss Thursday, allowing a run on two hits and two walks in the loss to the Mets. He struck out five and yielded a home run.

Teheran held the Mets in check most of the night aside from a Kevin Plawecki solo shot in the third inning. In his final start of 2018, the 27-year-old dropped his season ERA to 3.94 in 175.2 innings. Unfortunately, Teheran struggled with his control all year, posting a 162:84 K:BB with a career-worst 4.3 BB/9.

Senzatela settled for a no-decision against the Phillies on Thursday. He allowed one earned run, five hits and three walks over 4.2 innings while striking out four.

Senzatela was pulled with two outs in the fifth inning after allowing two consecutive baserunners, so he was unable to qualify for the win. He needed 95 pitches to get through 4.2 innings, and his only blemish of the game was a solo home run off the bat of Jose Bautista in the third. It was likely his final start of the regular season, and Senzatela now owns a 4.38 ERA with a 69:30 K:BB ratio over 90.1 innings in 2018.

Syndergaard (illness) is scheduled to start Sunday against the Marlins, Anthony DiComo of MLB.com reports.

Syndergaard pitched through an illness his last time out, but he's apparently feeling "a lot better" and remains on track to start Sunday's regular season finale. It's been a bit of an inconsistent year for the electric right-hander, though he still owns a 3.22 ERA, 1.25 WHIP and 149:39 K:BB through 24 starts (145.1 innings). Syndergaard will look to finish the year on a positive note against the lowly Marlins.

Gausman will start Sunday's game against Philadelphia, David O'Brien of The Athletic reports.

Gausman will be extremely well rested after his latest outing occurred Sept. 20 versus the Phillies. During that start, he allowed three earned runs on five hits and two walks while striking out seven across 6.1 innings. He will follow Mike Foltynewicz and Anibal Sanchez in the rotation for Atlanta's final series of the 2018 regular season.

Marquez could start Sunday's regular-season finale against the Nationals, Kyle Newman of The Denver Post reports.

The Rockies have yet to announce their starter for Sunday's matchup against the Nationals, but it sounds like there's a chance Marquez could get the ball on short rest if the situation calls for it. The Rockies are currently a half-game ahead of the Dodgers in the NL West, and if Sunday's game carries any playoff implications, Marquez would be the most likely candidate to start, over the likes of Chad Bettis and Tyler Anderson (shoulder), given his 2.14 ERA and 12.0 K/9 over his last 12 starts. The young right-hander dazzled in Wednesday's outing against the Phillies, fanning 11 batters -- including the first eight he faced -- over seven scoreless innings while allowing just three hits and a walk en route to the win.

Nola will take the mound Saturday against Atlanta for his final start of the 2018 season, Jim Salisbury of NBC Sports Philadelphia reports.

Nola will pitch on an extra day of rest after starting Sunday's series finale versus the Braves, during which he allowed two earned runs on four hits and a walk while striking out six across six innings. The Cy Young candidate hasn't been as sharp this month, posting just a 4.60 ERA and 1.06 WHIP over five starts in September, though his 12.0 K/9 has been far superior to his season-long tally of 9.5.

Suarez will start Sunday against the Braves, Jim Salisbury of NBC Sports Philadelphia reports.

Suarez will get the ball for the Phillies' final game of the season as manager Gabe Kapler looks to rest his regular starters with the team out of the playoff picture. The young lefty has made two starts for the big club this season, posting an 8.00 ERA, 2.22 WHIP and 5:3 K:BB across nine innings in those appearances.

Velasquez will not start this weekend against the Braves, Jim Salisbury of NBC Sports Philadelphia reports.

Velasquez was in line to pitch the season finale Sunday, but manager Gabe Kapler elected to give Ranger Suarez the nod instead. In his most recent outing versus the Rockies on Tuesday, Velasquez allowed six runs in just 3.2 innings. It's unclear if he will be available out of the bullpen this weekend, though in all likelihood, we've probably seen the last of the right-hander in 2018. Across 31 appearances (30 starts), he logged a 4.85 ERA and 1.34 WHIP with 161 strikeouts in 146.2 innings.