MLB Player News

Kirby did not factor into the decision during Friday's loss, allowing four runs on five hits and two walks over 6.1 innings against Tampa Bay. He struck out six.

Kirby's two walks matched his season high, and the control artist has issued only 16 free passes on the season. Since throwing a shutout against the Orioles on Aug. 12, the 25-year-old has allowed at least three earned runs in four straight starts. During those outings, he has a 6.00 ERA and 20 strikeouts over 21 innings. Kirby looks to rebound in his next start, scheduled to come at home against the Angels.

Woo won't start Saturday against the Rays and will have his turn in the Seattle rotation skipped, Daniel Kramer of MLB.com reports.

Seattle will go with a bullpen game Saturday instead, with Luke Weaver serving as the bulk pitcher. Woo is up to 114 innings this season between the minors and majors -- double what he threw in 2022 -- and he was knocked around for five earned runs over five innings in his last start Tuesday at Cincinnati. The 23-year-old will grab some extra rest before presumably returning to the Mariners' rotation late next week.

Severino will undergo diagnostic testing on his left side Saturday after his early departure from Friday's game against the Brewers.

Severino appeared to tweak something in his left side/oblique area while pitching in the top of the fifth inning and made an early exit from the start. He was charged with two earned runs on four hits and one walk over four innings, striking out five. An oblique strain could spell the end of his Yankees tenure, as the 29-year-old is scheduled to become a free agent this winter.

Severino was removed from his start Friday versus the Brewers due to an apparent injury, Bryan Hoch of MLB.com reports.

Hoch notes that Severino looked to be experiencing "significant discomfort" in his left side/oblique after giving up a leadoff single to Brice Turang in the top of the fifth inning. The 29-year-old right-hander had surrendered two earned runs on four hits and one walk while striking out five over four innings prior to his departure.

Cobb (hip) said he expects to return to the rotation Monday against the Guardians, Susan Slusser of the San Francisco Chronicle reports.

Cobb has been pitching through a left hip impingement during the second half, but he received a cortisone injection earlier this week that has helped him avoid a stay on the injured list. The veteran right-hander struggled in his last start against the Padres on Sept. 3, but in the game prior to that he worked a complete game and nearly notched a no-hitter against the Reds.

Colorado placed Gomber on the 60-day injured list Friday with lower-back inflammation.

This doesn't sound like an overly serious diagnosis, but Gomber has been battling back issues for a while and the Rockies will go ahead and shut him down for the final three weeks of the 2023 regular season. The 29-year-old left-hander finishes with a 9-9 record, 5.50 ERA, 1.49 WHIP and 87:43 K:BB in 27 starts covering 139 innings, but with stark splits -- he had a respectable 3.68 ERA and 1.37 WHIP on the road, and a 7.05 ERA and 1.59 WHIP at Coors Field.

Taillon threw six scoreless innings with nine strikeouts but did not factor into the decision Friday as the Cubs lost to the Diamondbacks. He allowed one hit and one walk.

Taillon stymied the Diamondbacks and completing his six shutout innings in a tidy 77 pitches while generating 12 swinging strikes, but he got out-dueled by Zac Gallen. Those whiffs led to a 38.9 percent CSW rate on the afternoon for Taillon, well above his 25.8 percent rate on the season coming into this start. It was a welcome turnaround for the right-hander after he posted an ugly 7.86 ERA and 1.41 WHIP in 26.1 innings over his five prior starts.

Gallen (15-7) threw nine scoreless innings and struck out nine in Friday's 1-0 win over the Cubs. He allowed three hits and one walk.

After struggling to the tune of a 9.28 ERA over 10.2 innings in his last two outings, Gallen rebounded for a brilliant start at Wrigley Field. He needed only 107 pitches to complete his second career shutout. The 28-year-old is having a career year, posting personal bests in wins (15), innings (187.2) and strikeouts (195) this season. His next start is slated to come on the road against the Mets.

Kopech won't start as scheduled Saturday and will instead move into a multi-inning relief role, Daryl Van Schouwen of the Chicago Sun-Times reports.

After putting up a 9.50 ERA and 2.33 WHIP through 18 frames across his last five starts, Kopech will officially lose his spot in the rotation. The team reportedly still views him as a starter for next season, but a few good appearances out of the bullpen to close out 2023 would help Kopech build his case. Jose Urena will be selected from Triple-A Charlotte to start in Kopech's place Saturday against the Tigers.

The White Sox will call Urena up from Triple-A Charlotte to start Saturday's game against Detroit, Daryl Van Schouwen of the Chicago Sun-Times reports.

If Urena is able to turn in a decent performance against the Tigers, it's possible he remains in Chicago's rotation down the stretch, as Michael Kopech has been moved to the bullpen. Urena has put up a 3.38 ERA and 1.37 WHIP through 21.1 innings in Triple-A since signing with the White Sox in August, but his 5.77 ERA in the majors since 2022 makes the 31-year-old a risky fantasy option.