MLB Player News

Stroman will start Saturday's game in Chicago against the Rockies, Tony Andracki of Marquee Sports Network reports.

Stroman has been working in relief since he returned last Friday from a lengthy absence due to hip inflammation and a rib cage cartilage fracture. He didn't throw more than 31 pitches in a single outing during his stay in the bullpen, but the right-hander has presumably stretched himself out in side sessions ahead of jumping back into the rotation. Colorado's offense struggles away from Coors Field, sitting dead last in MLB in road wRC+ at 75, so Stroman might carry some fantasy streaming appeal in Saturday's matchup even if his workload is capped.

Suarez will serve as the Angels' opening pitcher for Friday's game against the Twins, Rhett Bollinger of MLB.com reports.

Suarez has given up two runs over 2.2 innings since returning from the injured list Sept. 11. He'll likely remain in the game for an inning or two before giving way to Davis Daniel, who is expected to work in bulk relief following his promotion from Triple-A Salt Lake.

The Mets recalled Battenfield from Triple-A Syracuse on Friday.

Battenfield was claimed off waivers from the Guardians on Sept. 2 and will join the Mets' major-league bullpen mix ahead of Friday's game at Philadelphia. Jeff Brigham has been optioned out in a corresponding roster move.

Alcantara felt renewed forearm tightness following his rehab start Thursday with Triple-A Jacksonville, Jordan McPherson of the Miami Herald reports.

Alcantara is headed to Miami to be evaluated this weekend by the Marlins' medical staff, and it's a safe bet that he is not going to be able to return before the end of the regular season. He tallied four strikeouts over four scoreless innings Thursday with Jacksonville while touching 98.3 mph with his fastball, but the right UCL sprain that sent him to the injured list Sept. 6 is still clearly an issue.

The Diamondbacks recalled Cecconi from Triple-A Reno on Friday.

Cecconi looks poised to work in long relief in his return to the 28-man roster. The 24-year-old has registered a 4.44 ERA, 1.15 WHIP and 18:4 K:BB across his first 24.1 major-league innings (four starts, two relief appearances) this season.

The Guardians reinstated Bieber (elbow) from the 60-day injured list ahead of his start Friday against Baltimore, Tom Withers of the Associated Press reports.

Bieber looked good in two minor-league rehab outings, surrendering just one run across 7.1 frames while striking out 11 batters. He'll be limited to roughly 80 pitches as he makes his first big-league start since mid-July and will face an Orioles offense that ranks ninth in the majors in OPS (.750).

Kopech was placed on the 15-day injured list Friday with right knee inflammation.

Kopech had surgery Friday to remove a cyst from the knee and is expected to require 6-8 weeks to recover. The procedure ends a disappointing 2023 campaign that saw Kopech post a 5.43 ERA while leading the American League with 91 walks. He finished the season in the White Sox' bullpen, although the team's plans for his future role aren't clear.

Gaddis allowed a hit and two walks while striking out one over three scoreless innings in a no-decision versus the Orioles on Thursday.

Gaddis ended up covering the most innings of any Cleveland pitcher in a bullpen day. He made just two appearances with Triple-A Columbus over the last three weeks, allowing two runs over 7.2 innings. In the majors, he has a pedestrian 4.50 ERA, 1.31 WHIP and 24:14 K:BB across 42 innings over 11 appearances (seven starts). With Shane Bieber (elbow) and Triston McKenzie (elbow) returning and the Guardians having two off days next week, Gaddis will probably not be needed to start again in 2023.

Miller served as a traditional reliever against the Tigers on Thursday, allowing two runs (one earned) on three hits and a walk over two-plus innings. He struck out two.

Miller followed starter Luis Medina into the game and worked the sixth and seventh frames in fairly efficient fashion, but he got pulled after 54 pitches once he surrendered three consecutive singles to open the eighth. Manager Mark Kotsay appears set to give Miller work in a variety of roles over the last week-plus of the season, as the right-hander has also worked as an opener and could see action as a bulk reliever before using the offseason to prepare for a potential rotation role in 2024.

Wells was recalled from Triple-A Norfolk on Friday, Nathan Ruiz of The Baltimore Sun reports.

Wells was the Orioles' best starter in the first half, but he struggled out of the gate in the second half and eventually found himself in the minors. The righty has been pitching in relief with Norfolk and will be used in that role with Baltimore down the stretch.