MLB Player News

Wacha (12-8) allowed three runs on six hits and five walks while striking out seven across 5.2 innings to take the loss Saturday against the Cubs.

Wacha held the Cubs scoreless the first time through the batting order, but struggled as he gave up three runs over the next two frames, leading to his eighth loss of the season. He came into this contest having allowed four earned runs over his last three outings, and with a 4.02 ERA on the season, he's a reasonable fantasy option. He'll make his next start Friday against the Pirates.

Hendricks (7-5) allowed one run on six hits and one walk while striking out five across 7.2 innings to earn the win Saturday against the Cardinals.

Hendricks was firing a shutout until giving up a solo homer to Matt Carpenter in the eighth inning, while the offense gave him enough support to help him earn his seventh victory of the season. He's held opponents to three or fewer earned runs in every start he's made since July 24, and he continues to be a strong fantasy producer. He'll make his next start Thursday against the Brewers.

Hill (10-8) earned the win Saturday, allowing just one hit -- a solo homer -- over five innings against the Nationals. He struck out seven and issued two walks.

He was lifted for a pinch hitter after a mere 74 pitches, but manager Dave Roberts told Bill Plunkett of The Orange County Register after the game that Hill's early exit was not due to any sort of physical issue. Rather, Roberts simply wanted to try to extend the Dodgers' lead with two runners on and one out in the frame. Hill has now allowed at least one homer in nine consecutive starts, but with a 60:15 K:BB in that span, he's been able to minimize the damage. Assuming the Dodgers stick with a six-man rotation, Hill will face the Giants at home his next time out.

Manager Terry Collins said Saturday that Syndergaard (lat) needs to face live batters again before returning to game action, Matt Ehalt of The Record reports.

There was some hope that Syndergaard could pitch this weekend, but Collins' comments effectively ruled out a return in Atlanta. Syndergaard was scratched from a scheduled simulated game last weekend due to lingering soreness and thus hasn't faced live hitters since his second rehab start back on Sept. 7.

Mahle has been shut down for the rest of the season, C. Trent Rosecrans of The Cincinnati Enquirer reports.

The Reds will go with a rotation consisting of Sal Romano, Robert Stephenson, Jackson Stephens, Rookie Davis and Homer Bailey the rest of the way. Mahle, 22, has thrown 164.1 innings combined across three levels this season, building on his 150.2-inning workload from 2016. He had some issues with walks in four starts for the big-league club, but Mahle was solid otherwise and should be in the mix for a starting job in spring training.

Alcantara fired a scoreless eighth inning in Friday's 8-2 loss to the Cubs, striking out the side.

Alcantara needed only 13 pitches to dispose of Jason Heyward, Javier Baez and Ian Happ, who all went down on swinging strikes. After surrendering a solo home run in his MLB debut back on Sept. 3, the 22-year-old righty has put together consecutive one-inning scoreless outings in which he's allowed no hits and issued just one walk.

Ray (14-5) picked up the win over the Giants on Friday, allowing two runs (one earned) on six hits over seven innings while striking out 10.

The error that caused the unearned run was his own, but otherwise there was nothing to complain about in the left-hander's performance. Ray has now struck out double-digit batters in four straight starts and won all five of his outings since coming off the DL in late August, giving him a dominant 1.39 ERA, 0.77 WHIP and 55:6 K:BB in only 32.1 innings over that stretch. He seems poised to continue his incredible streak Wednesday on the road against the Padres.

Urena allowed two runs on four hits and four walks over 4.2 innings Friday while striking out three, but he didn't factor into the decision in a 10-2 loss to the Brewers.

The Marlins' bullpen collapsed in the eighth inning, but Urena was no threat to stick around long enough to get a decision, needing 101 pitches (55 strikes) to get his 14 outs. The right-hander's control is flagging down the stretch, as he now has a 20:13 K:BB in 27 innings over his last five starts, and while he's avoided serious damage so far, fatigue is likely a factor -- the 151.2 innings Urena has tossed in 2017 are the most he's accumulated since he worked 162 in 2014 at Double-A. His next start is scheduled for Wednesday at home against the Mets.

Wood (15-3) allowed no runs on three hits and one walk while striking out eight across six innings to earn the win Friday against the Nationals.

Wood completely silenced the Nationals bats while receiving six runs of offensive support over the first two innings, as he cruised to his 15th victory of the season. Fantasy owners are likely relieved that he put together this solid outing after he allowed 12 runs over his last 17 innings covering three starts, and hopefully he's ready to dominate in the fantasy playoffs. He'll make his next start Thursday against the Phillies.

Pitching coach Dan Warthen said Friday that Syndergaard (lat) could pitch this weekend against the Braves, Matt Ehalt of The Record reports.

No further details regarding Syndergaard's status were provided, but it appears the bullpen session he tossed Thursday went as planned. Syndergaard would be on some sort of pitch count if he is able to get up on the mound for the Mets, but signs are point toward him making at least one appearance before the regular season comes to an end.