MLB Player News

Ragans will start Game 1 of the wild-card series against the Orioles on Tuesday, Anne Rogers of MLB.com reports.

Ragans -- who will be opposed by Corbin Burnes -- earns the Royals' first playoff game start since 2015 after collecting a 3.14 ERA, 1.14 WHIP and 223:67 K:BB over 186.1 innings covering 32 starts. The Royals will go with Seth Lugo in Game 2 and Michael Wacha in Game 3, if there is one.

The Blue Jays optioned Rodriguez to their Florida Complex League affiliate Sunday.

Rodriguez had started Saturday's game, so the Blue Jays used his roster spot for some bullpen protection in Sunday's finale. The right-hander will be in the mix for a rotation spot in 2025 after posting a 4.47 ERA, 1.32 WHIP and 85:40 K:BB across 86.2 innings in his first year with Toronto.

Weathers (5-6) allowed a run on three hits and two walks over 6.1 innings Sunday, striking out six and earning a win over Toronto.

Weathers loaded the bases with no outs in the first inning but escaped the threat unscathed. He didn't allow another runner into scoring position until Luis De Los Santos doubled and later scored in the seventh. At one point, Weathers retired 16 consecutive batters. He posted a 4.02 ERA over 15.2 innings after returning from a three-month stint on the injured list. Weathers finishes the 2024 season with a 3.63 ERA and an 80:24 K:BB through 86.2 frames.

Birdsong (5-6) allowed three runs on four hits and three walks over 4.1 innings Sunday, striking out 11 and taking a loss against St. Louis.

Through four innings, Birdsong had given up one run on a solo shot by Brendan Donovan. The Cardinals then tacked on two more in the fifth inning. Despite recording only 13 outs, Birdsong punched out 11 and racked up 19 whiffs. He generated 12 of those whiffs via the slider. Birdsong ends his rookie season with a 4.75 ERA and 88:43 K:BB through 72 innings. He completed six innings in just one of his 16 MLB starts.

McGreevy (3-0) allowed a run on five hits over eight innings Sunday, striking out six and earning a win over the Giants.

McGreevy let just one Giant reach scoring position through six frames before finally coughing up an RBI single to Brett Wisely in the seventh inning. McGreevy was very efficient, throwing 64 of 91 pitches for strikes, though he forced only seven whiffs. He was impressive during his short rookie season; McGreevy posted a 1.96 ERA and an 18:2 K:BB through 23 frames.

Perez (5-6) took the loss Sunday against Arizona, allowing six runs on eight hits and two walks across 3.2 innings. He struck out three.

Perez's final start of the regular season was lackluster, as the left-hander yielded six runs -- the most he's allowed in a start with the Padres this year. The veteran lefty entered the start having allowed two runs in his previous three starts combined. Perez has a 4.53 ERA with a 107:49 K:BB across 135 innings in 2024.

Pfaadt (11-10) picked up the win Sunday against San Diego, allowing one run on three hits and a walk across 5.1 innings. He struck out nine.

Pfaadt's September has been a roller coaster, as he's yielded four or more runs in three of six starts but given up only five runs in his other three appearances combined. In those three impressive starts, he racked up 31 strikeouts over 18 innings. Pfaadt has a 4.71 ERA and a 185:42 K:BB across 181.1 innings in the regular season, and if the Diamondbacks make the playoffs, he's likely to be part of the team's rotation.

Kochanowicz (2-6) yielded three runs on six hits and a walk over seven innings Sunday, striking out one and taking a loss against Texas.

Kochanowicz gave up just one run through six frames before the Rangers tallied a pair in the seventh inning. He closed his season with three straight seven-inning performances, earning a quality start in each. Kochanowicz posted a solid 3.99 ERA through 65.1 innings as a rookie, but his 25:10 K:BB didn't provide much fantasy upside. He posted a 2.77 ERA over his last nine starts of the year.

Eovaldi (12-8) allowed four hits and a walk over seven scoreless innings Sunday, striking out five and earning a win over the Angels.

Eovaldi escaped a bases-loaded jam in the first inning but didn't face much danger otherwise. He had been tagged for 14 runs over 16.2 innings in his previous three outings before closing out his 2024 season with a terrific outing Sunday. It was the fourth time this season he threw at least seven innings without allowing a run. Eovaldi finishes the season with a 3.80 ERA and a 166:42 K:BB through 170.2 innings. He's finished each of the last five seasons with an ERA between 3.63 and 3.87.

Rea (12-6) was saddled with the loss Sunday, allowing five runs on 10 hits, three walks and a hit batsman over 5.2 innings against the Brewers. He struck out five.

Rea worked past four innings for the first time since Aug 24, but he allowed a season-high 14 batters to reach base. With the Brewers set to host the Wild Card Round of the playoffs starting Tuesday and Rea likely on the outside looking in when it comes to their playoff rotation, he was asked to eat some innings, with the quality being less important than the quantity. The veteran righty finished the regular season with career-high marks in innings pitched (167.2), strikeouts (135) and wins (12).