MLB Player News

Junk did not factor into the decision Sunday, allowing one run on three hits and a walk over 4.2 innings in a 5-3 win over Atlanta. He struck out five.

Junk's lone blemish was a solo homer surrendered to Mauricio Dubon in the third inning, and the right-hander departed at 64 pitches (44 strikes) after 4.2 frames. The right-handed hurler posted a 4.79 ERA, 1.26 WHIP and 19:5 K:BB across 20.1 innings (five starts) in September. He'll close the 2026 campaign with a 6-9 record, 4.22 ERA, 1.29 WHIP and 89:33 K:BB over 123.2 innings (26 appearances).

Houck (0-1) took the loss against the Cubs on Sunday, allowing three runs on four hits and no walks with one strikeout over three innings.

Houck made his first major-league start in 503 days after a lengthy rehab from elbow surgery and was burned by two homers from Alex Bregman. The southpaw has worked just 11 innings between the majors and minors this year, and it's unclear what his role will be with the Red Sox as they head into the postseason.

Freeland (4-12) took the loss Sunday against the White Sox, allowing four runs on seven hits and no walks in four innings. He struck out two.

Five of the seven hits allowed went for extra bases Sunday. The southpaw's five-year deal with the Rockies is up following the 2026 season, and it remains to be seen if he'll re-up with Colorado after spending each of the first 10 years of his career in the Mile High City. He turned in one of his worst big-league campaigns this year, registering a 6.65 ERA, 1.52 WHIP and 108:29 K:BB in 135.1 innings.

Garrett (1-1) earned the win over the Red Sox on Sunday, allowing one run on four hits and three walks with two strikeouts over five innings.

Garrett entered in the second inning and limited the Red Sox to one run despite throwing just 39 of 70 pitches for strikes. It was the 29-year-old's first major-league outing since May 19 with the Marlins, and he'll finish the regular season with a 7.71 ERA across just 9.1 innings. It's unclear if he will have a role with the Cubs in the postseason.

Kay (10-9) earned the win Sunday against the Rockies, striking out four while allowing one run on five hits and two walks in five innings.

Kay got a tune-up start ahead of the playoffs, looking sharp Sunday in a strong outing against a soft lineup. The southpaw is likely to serve as either a starter or bulk reliever for the White Sox this postseason following perhaps his best big-league campaign so far. He posted a career-best 4.44 ERA, 1.37 WHIP and 129:56 K:BB across 158 innings this season.

Ryan (0-1) took the loss against the Pirates on Sunday, allowing two runs on three hits and two walks with three strikeouts over 1.1 innings.

Ryan allowed a leadoff homer and struggled overall, throwing just 21 of 39 pitches for strikes with four whiffs. The 28-year-old yielded two earned runs over 4.1 innings in a two-start stint with the Tigers and posted a 4.39 ERA, 1.34 WHIP and 47:9 K:BB across 41 Triple-A frames this season. He was a prized asset in the Tarik Skubal trade with the Dodgers and should factor into the Tigers' rotation plans in 2027.

Williamson (5-5) took the loss Sunday against Toronto, striking out three while allowing four runs on four hits and three walks in three innings.

Williamson didn't end the year on a positive note, as he couldn't make it to the fourth inning despite tossing 76 pitches. The left-hander was part of the Reds' Opening Day rotation, but a shoulder injury cost him most of the season and derailed his campaign. After logging a career-worst 5.30 ERA, 1.46 WHIP and 36:30 K:BB in 52.2 innings, he may have to battle for a roster spot again next spring.

Scherzer (4-9) notched the win Sunday against the Reds, striking out seven while allowing one run on six hits and one walk in seven innings.

In what may have been his final major-league start, Scherzer put forth a vintage display Sunday. The future Hall of Famer worked seven innings for just the second time all year, generating an outstanding 19 whiffs and emptying the tank for a season-high 114 pitches on just three days' rest. Scherzer, 42, is an unrestricted free agent this offseason, and he'll decide over the winter if he's ready to hang up his cleats following a decorated 19-year big-league career. He appeared to be on his last legs in the first half, working to a 10.23 ERA and 1.73 WHIP over 22 innings before the All-Star break, but Scherzer did show signs of life with a 4.16 ERA and 1.20 WHIP across 62.2 frames after the break.

Jones did not factor into the decision in Sunday's 4-2 win over the Tigers, allowing one hit and no walks while striking out five over four scoreless innings.

Jones was dominant, throwing 36 of 55 pitches for strikes with 10 whiffs while retiring the first six batters he faced. It was an exclamation point on an excellent September in which he went 3-0 with a 0.93 ERA and 40:4 K:BB over five outings. The 25-year-old enjoyed a strong bounceback campaign after undergoing elbow surgery in 2025, posting a 3.72 ERA, 1.08 WHIP and 123:31 K:BB across 101.2 innings after making his season debut May 29.

Pecko (2-0) earned the win Sunday over the A's, allowing just one hit and no walks over three scoreless innings. He struck out three.

Pecko handled bulk duties Sunday after Peter Lambert went the first two innings. The rookie right-hander was sharp, holding the A's to a lone single across three scoreless frames as the Astros' cruised to a 9-0 victory to clinch the AL West title. Pecko was effective overall as a swingman for Houston after making his debut in August. He'll finish the regular season with a 3.93 ERA, 1.14 WHIP and 23:14 K:BB over 34.1 innings.