MLB Player News

Kikuchi (neck) is scheduled to start Sunday's game at Tampa Bay, Ben Nicholson-Smith of Sportsnet.ca reports.

Kikuchi made an early exit from his last start Tuesday against the Yankees because of a left upper trap muscle cramp, but it was never much of a concern and he'll stay on turn this weekend versus the Rays. The 32-year-old left-hander holds a solid 3.74 ERA and 170:46 K:BB in 158.2 innings (30 starts) this season with Toronto.

Alcantara (forearm) is scheduled to make a rehab start Thursday with Triple-A Jacksonville, Craig Mish of the Miami Herald reports.

If that outing goes smoothly, Alcantara could make it back for one final regular-season start and perhaps help the Marlins in their quest to claim an NL wild-card spot. He was diagnosed with a right UCL sprain earlier this month but has thrown a couple of side sessions without issue in the last week. Should next week's return come to fruition, Alcantara would likely be facing the Mets on the road at Citi Field.

Gaddis will be recalled from Triple-A Columbus to start for the Guardians on Thursday against the Orioles, Roch Kubatko of MASNSports.com reports.

Gaddis will be taking over the rotation spot vacated by Tanner Bibee (hip), who was placed on the 15-day injured list earlier this week. Over 10 appearances (six starts) with Cleveland this season, Gaddis has put up a 4.85 ERA over 10 appearances. Gaddis might receive just the one start, as the Guardians are poised to get Shane Bieber (elbow) and Triston McKenzie (elbow) back from the 60-day injured list in the coming days.

Anderson's next scheduled start has been pushed back to Sunday's series finale in Minnesota while he tends to knee soreness, Jeff Fletcher of The Orange County Register reports.

It's not clear when Anderson's knee began bothering him, but he'll receive some extra rest in hopes that he can overcome the issue. Anderson had been slated to take the hill either Friday or Saturday, but since he'll be pushed back, the Angels will call up Davis Daniel from Triple-A Salt Lake to pitch Friday, while Kenny Rosenberg will get the nod Saturday. Anderson has been a major disappointment in his first season with the Angels, posting a 5.43 ERA over 27 appearances (25 starts).

McDermott was placed on the 7-day injured list at Triple-A Norfolk on Sept. 16 with a back strain, Steve Melewski of MASNSports.com reports.

The International League's championship is next week, so this may mean the end of McDermott's minor-league season. The 25-year-old righty logged a 2.49 ERA, 1.01 WHIP, 31.2 percent strikeout rate and an 11.7 percent walk rate in 50.2 innings across 10 appearances for the Tides after tossing 68.1 innings at Double-A earlier in the year. McDermott hasn't had a walk rate below 11 percent in the upper levels of the minors, which could result in him eventually ending up in the bullpen. However, he's got a solid three-pitch mix in his 94-mph fastball (touches 96 mph), high-spin curveball and low-to-mid-80s slider, so if he can cut the walks slightly, he could get a look in the big-league rotation sometime next year.

Manoah has officially been ruled out for the season after receiving multiple injections in his right arm in recent weeks, Ben Nicholson-Smith of Sportsnet.ca reports.

Blue Jays team doctors have found no structural damage in Manoah's pitching arm, but the hurler has continued meeting with additional specialists over the last month. The goal with those visits, per Nicholson-Smith, is to rule out elbow and shoulder problems as well as thoracic outlet syndrome. The injections were given in order to reduce inflammation and soreness. Manoah hasn't thrown off a mound in several weeks, and it's not clear when he might be able to again. Regardless, he's not going to make it back before the end of this season, which officially closes the book on what has been a nightmarish campaign for the 25-year-old righty.

Gray (8-12) earned the win Wednesday, allowing one run on five hits and three walks over five innings against the White Sox. He struck out four.

Gray allowed just one run on the afternoon despite allowing the leadoff man to reach in three of his five innings. The right-hander was also gifted with plenty of run support early, helping him cruise to his eighth win of the season and his first since July 22. Gray came into the game having lost each of his last four decisions (spanning seven starts) but he's now allowed three runs or fewer in three consecutive outings.

Sheehan will start Thursday's game against the Tigers, Bill Plunkett of The Orange County Register reports.

The Dodgers haven't clarified their plans for Sheehan, but he could end up being piggybacked by veteran Ryan Yarbrough as the organization looks to manage the rookie's workload. Sheehan has collected a 5.44 ERA and 45:22 K:BB over 49.2 frames for the Dodgers this season, making nine starts and two relief appearances. His last outing came out of the bullpen against the Mariners this past Sunday, when he worked three scoreless innings. Sheehan hasn't covered more than 4.1 innings in any of his three appearances for the Dodgers since being called up from Triple-A Oklahoma City on Sept. 1 and thus could struggle to reach the five innings he would need to qualify for a win Thursday.

Ober did not factor into the decision Wednesday, allowing two runs on three hits and three walks over five innings against the Reds. He struck out three.

Ober surrendered just two runs on the afternoon despite allowing the leadoff man to reach base in three of his five innings. He's now given up exactly two runs in four of his last five starts and has surrendered at least one homer in 10 straight. It also marked the third time in his last five outings that he's issued at three walks, though he still carries a solid 9:3 K:BB through two September starts to along with a 3.60 ERA.

Greene did not factor into the decision Wednesday against Minnesota, allowing one run on three hits and one walk over seven innings while striking out 14.

Greene dominated the Twins over his seven innings of work, fanning four of the first six batters he faced en route to posting a career-high 14 strikeouts on the afternoon. It marked the right-hander's fourth consecutive start in which he allowed three or fewer runs and the first time he's gone at least seven innings since May 21. It was also Greene's fifth start this season with 10 or more strikeouts.