MLB Player News

Flaherty (0-2) allowed four runs on five hits and two walks while striking out five over five innings in a losing effort against the Brewers on Sunday.

Flaherty stumbled out of the gates, allowing four runs in the first inning. He settled in and gave up just three hits over his final four frames, but the damage was already done. This was a disappointing way to end the season, especially considering the Brewers were resting some of their heavy hitters. Flaherty, 21, is an intriguing prospect to watch, but it looks like he still needs more seasoning in the minor leagues.

Freeland (11-11) allowed two runs on five hits and a walk through just three innings to take the loss against the Dodgers on Sunday.

This was Freeland's first start since taking a line drive off his shoulder Sept. 11, as he made his past four appearances out of the bullpen. The 24-year-old lefty will finish his rookie campaign with a 4.10 ERA, 1.49 WHIP and 6.2 K/9, which are respectable numbers for a rookie who pitched 87 of his 156 innings at Coors Field. However, even following an encouraging freshman showing, turning to Colorado starters is usually a risky fantasy undertaking in most settings. Freeland probably shouldn't be viewed as a priority entering 2018.

Cueto allowed four runs on 12 hits across five innings in a no-decision against the Padres on Sunday. He struck out two and walked none.

Cueto was touched up for two runs on five hits in the first inning before allowing a solo home run to Hunter Renfroe in the third. He labored through the fourth inning, when he allowed another run, and was pulled with 93 pitches under his belt after the fifth. So concludes a disappointing season for Cueto, who finishes with a 4.52 ERA and a 1.45 WHIP through 147 innings. The veteran has an opt-out clause in his contract for 2017, but he seems unlikely to command as much money at this point if he did indeed sign with another club.

Fried allowed four runs -- two earned -- on six hits and a walk while striking out seven batters through just 4.1 innings during Sunday's win over Miami. He didn't factor into the decision.

The 23-year-old lefty has made just four starts and pitched only 26 innings in the majors this season, so it wasn't surprising to see him exit quickly Sunday. Fried posted a respectable 3.81 ERA and 7.6 K/9 in his first taste of the majors, but he'll probably return to the minors for more seasoning to begin 2018. He's only made two starts at the Triple-A level with Gwinnett, after all.

Urena allowed three runs on five hits and four walks while striking out two batters through five innings during Sunday's loss to Atlanta. He didn't factor into the decision.

Urena was hit hard at Coors Field in his previous outing, so this checks out as a bounce-back showing to cap off the 2017 campaign. The 26-year-old righty posted a respectable a 3.82 ERA, 1.27 WHIP and 6.0 K/9 through 169.2 innings this season, and while his strikeout numbers underwhelm, he owns a mid-90s fastball and the supporting pitches to improve in the category. Urena projects to be a serviceable fantasy asset in the majority of fantasy settings again in 2018.

McGuire (1-1) earned the win over the Cubs on Sunday, allowing two hits while striking out two over five scoreless innings. He did not issue a walk.

McGuire got into the win column for the first time in his second career start, beating the NL Central champs who started most of their regulars. The right-hander induced eight swinging strikes on just 66 pitches and finishes his first cup of coffee with an 11:2 K:BB in 13.2 innings. He's not a prospect -- he's 28 and has bounced around to five different organizations -- but the Reds are going to need guys to eat innings next year, and McGuire may be in that mix.

Syndergaard struck out a pair in two innings while throwing 26 pitches in his start Sunday against the Phillies.

He did not factor in the decision, of course, given the brevity of the outing. Syndergaard heads into the offseason presumably healthy, which allows him to progress through a normal preparation schedule with the hope of a return to dominance over a full season in 2018.

Wainwright will undergo a scope procedure on his right elbow Tuesday, Derrick Goold of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch reports.

Wainwright was bothered by an elbow ailment late in the season and will undergo a minor procedure to trim some of the cartilage in his injured elbow. The surgery carries with it a six-week recovery time, David Wilhelm of the Belleville News-Democrat reports, but the veteran hurler will have plenty of time to mend prior to next season's spring training.

Manager Bud Black officially announced Sunday that Gray will start Wednesday's National League wild-card game against the Diamondbacks, Thomas Harding of MLB.com reports.

This announcement doesn't come as much of a surprise, as Gray was clearly the Rockies' best starter during the regular season. The 25-year-old compiled a 10-4 record while posting a 3.67 ERA (3.17 FIP) and 24.3 percent strikeout rate over 110.1 innings pitched. He'll face a tough test against a potent Diamondbacks' lineup in hitter-friendly Chase Field.

Freeland will start Sunday's game against the Dodgers.

Tyler Anderson was originally scheduled to start Sunday's game, but after the Rockies secured a wild-card berth Saturday, they'll shake things up and put Freeland on the mound instead for the regular-season finale. The southpaw will shift back to the bullpen following his Sunday spot start.