MLB Player News

The Nationals recalled Rutledge on Friday, Bobby Blanco of MASNSports.com reports.

The move gives the Nationals a long-relief option out of the bullpen for the final series of the season against the Phillies. Rutledge last pitched for the Nats on July 12, when he allowed two runs on three hits and two walks while striking out six over 4.2 innings. He's spent most of the season with Triple-A Rochester, where he's posted a 4-9 record over 27 starts with a 6.40 ERA, 1.68 WHIP and 128:77 K:BB across 122.1 innings. To make room on the 28-man roster for Rutledge, Washington optioned DJ Herz to the Florida Complex League.

The Athletics reinstated Stripling (back) from the 15-day injured list Friday.

Stripling landed on the injured list Sept. 11 due to a lower-back strain and began facing live hitters again as recently as Tuesday. Now that he's healthy, he'll presumably take on a low-leverage role out of the bullpen for the final three games of the season. Meanwhile, Brady Basso will head to the Arizona Complex League in order to free up a roster spot.

Oakland optioned Basso to the Arizona Complex League Athletics on Friday.

The move makes room on the A's 28-man roster for the reinstatement of right-hander Ross Stripling (back) from the 15-day injured list. Basso has made four starts for the Athletics in September, going 1-1 with a 3.79 ERA, 1.32 WHIP and 16:5 K:BB over 19 innings.

Lopez (shoulder) threw a bullpen session Thursday and manager Brian Snitker said Friday that Lopez felt great and is ready to go when needed, Grant McAuley of 92.9 The Game Atlanta reports.

Atlanta's starters for Saturday and Sunday have yet to be determined, but Lopez appears to be firmly in the mix to take the mound on either day, or perhaps during Monday's doubleheader against the Mets. Per McAuley, Snitker also mentioned that Lopez wouldn't be under any major pitch count limitations if he were to start. Atlanta is one of three teams competing for the final two National League wild-card slots.

Gipson-Long (elbow) will begin a throwing program next week, Jason Beck of MLB.com reports.

It will be the first time he's thrown since he had Tommy John surgery in April. Gipson-Long could be an option to pitch for the Tigers around midseason in 2025.

Manager John Schneider said Friday that Bassitt won't start Sunday's game against Miami, Keegan Matheson of MLB.com reports.

Bassitt was slated to start the Blue Jays' final game of the 2024 season, but the 35-year-old right-hander will be rested instead. Schneider didn't name a replacement starter. Bassitt finishes the campaign with a 4.16 ERA -- his worst since 2016 -- along with a 1.46 WHIP and 168:70 K:BB across 171 innings (31 starts).

Priester is an option to start for the Red Sox on Sunday versus the Rays, Mac Cerullo of the Boston Herald reports.

Manager Alex Cora has ruled out Brayan Bello and Tanner Houck being used in the regular-season finale, but he didn't dismiss the possibility of Priester making his Red Sox debut. Priester has collected a 5.40 ERA and 42:12 K:BB over 38.1 innings covering nine starts with Triple-A Worcester since being acquired at the trade deadline from the Pirates.

Burrows has been added to the Pirates' taxi squad prior to Friday's game against the Yankees, Noah Hiles of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette reports.

While he is not on the active roster yet, it seems likely that could happen sometime this weekend. Burrows, 24, holds a 4.06 ERA and 45:15 K:BB over 37.2 innings this season at Triple-A Indianapolis and would be making his major-league debut should he get into a game.

The Twins optioned Woods Richardson to Triple-A St. Paul on Thursday.

Woods Richardson wasn't going to pitch again during the regular season after recording just three outs and allowing three runs against the Marlins on Wednesday. The Twins will use his roster spot on a third catcher in Jair Camargo.

Buehler did not factor into the decision in a win over the Padres on Thursday, allowing one run on five hits and one walk over five innings. He struck out one.

Buehler avoided much damage despite allowing at least one hit in four of his five innings of work. It marked the fifth consecutive start in which he was able to get through at least five innings, and he's allowed one run or fewer in two of his last three outings. Buehler did, however, post just one strikeout in Thursday's no-decision after fanning a season-high nine batters in his previous trip to the mound.