MLB Player News

Raleigh went 2-for-4 with a two-run home run and an additional run scored in Sunday's 6-4 win over the Athletics.

Raleigh set the major-league record for most homers by a catcher over his first four seasons when he went yard in the fifth inning. That blast was the margin of victory Sunday, and it also secured a 100-RBI campaign for the 27-year-old. Raleigh finished the year with a .220/.312/.436 slash line, 34 homers, 73 runs scored, six stolen bases and 16 doubles over 153 games, though he hit a much more impressive .286 (28-for-98) in September while homering in four of his last seven games.

Rizzon (fractured finger) is not expected to be available for the ALDS, Gary Phillips of the New York Daily News reports.

Rizzo is viewed as a "long shot" to be available for the Yankees' first series of the postseason according to manager Aaron Boone. The first baseman suffered a fractured finger in Saturday's 9-4 loss to Pittsburgh and if he's unavailable, Ben Rice will likely remain with the team to open the postseason.

Gilbert (9-12) allowed one hit and struck out seven without walking a batter over 5.2 scoreless innings to earn the win Sunday over the Athletics.

Gilbert was perfect into the sixth inning before Nick Allen hit a two-out single to end his day. Gilbert ends the regular season as the major-league leader in innings pitched with 208.2, two ahead of Kansas City's Seth Lugo. While he alternated between good and poor starts in September, Gilbert was generally one of the steadiest members of a strong Seattle rotation. He finished the campaign with a 3.23 ERA, led all major-league starters with a 0.89 WHIP and added a 220:37 K:BB over 33 starts, though he missed the 10-win mark for the first time in three years.

Spence (8-10) allowed six runs on seven hits and struck out five without walking a batter over 4.1 innings to take the loss Sunday versus the Mariners.

Spence hadn't allowed more than three runs in any of his previous six starts, but he struggled late in his outing Sunday. The Mariners put up two runs in the fourth inning and another four runs in the fifth, capped off by a Cal Raleigh home run. There were some promising stretches for Spence, but the 26-year-old rookie also had some struggles, ending the year with a 4.58 ERA, 1.38 WHIP and 126:44 K:BB over 151.1 innings across 35 appearances (24 starts). Spence should have a good chance of making the Athletics' rotation in 2025.

Alvarez (knee) is expected to take part in some hitting work with the Astros on Monday, Chandler Rome of The Athletic reports.

Alvarez has been working his way back from a right knee sprain that he suffered Sept. 22. The lefty slugger still has some boxes to check, but manager Joe Espada is more optimistic than he was earlier in the week that Alvarez will be able to contribute to Houston's postseason efforts. The Astros will begin their wild-card series with the Tigers in Houston on Tuesday, but as yet it's unclear if Alvarez will be available.

Williams won't pitch Sunday after the Guardians' contest with the Astros was cancelled due to inclement weather.

Williams was expected to pitch the bulk role out of the bullpen after opener Nick Sandlin, but he will now go into the postseason with additional rest after Sunday's cancellation. Williams will finish his 2024 regular season having produced a 4.86 ERA and 1.37 WHIP with 79 strikeouts over 76 innings in 16 starts with Cleveland.

Slaten allowed one hit and zero walks in a scoreless ninth inning to pick up his second save of the season in Sunday's season finale against Tampa Bay.

Slaten allowed a bunt single to Dylan Carlson to lead off the ninth but otherwise had no trouble wrapping things up. With incumbent closer Kenley Jansen on the injured list, Slaten was able to notch his first save since March 31. The 27-year-old Slaten had an encouraging rookie season out of the Red Sox bullpen, pitching to a 2.93 ERA, 1.01 WHIP and 58:9 K:BB in 55.1 innings with six wins, 13 holds and two saves. The 37-year-old Jansen is set to become a free agent, so Slaten could find himself in the mix for saves next season.

Pepiot (8-8) took the loss Sunday against Boston, allowing two runs (one earned) on four hits and two walks while striking out five in four innings.

Pepiot ran into trouble in the third inning when an RBI double by Vaughn Grissom drove in the game's first run. An unfortunate throwing error by the Rays defense compounded the damage, allowing another run to score. Pepiot wasn't given much of a chance to recover, as he was pulled after throwing just 63 pitches in the regular-season finale. Acquired from the Dodgers in the Tyler Glasnow trade last winter, the 27-year-old Pepiot enjoyed a successful inaugural season for the Rays, pitching to a 3.60 ERA, 1.15 WHIP and 142:48 K:BB in 130 innings (26 starts).

Priester (3-6) pitched five innings of one-run ball to pick up the win Sunday against the Rays, allowing four hits and one walk while striking out two.

Called up Sunday to make his Red Sox debut, Priester held his own to notch his third win of the season. The right-hander did not allow an extra-base hit, limiting the Rays to just four singles thanks to a robust 12:2 GB:FB. Acquired from Pittsburgh at the trade deadline, Priester struggled to a 5.40 ERA, 1.26 WHIP and 42:12 K:BB in 38.1 innings (nine starts) for Triple-A Worcester. Sunday's start was a step in the right direction, but Priester likely needs more time to develop in the minor leagues before becoming a major-league asset. The 24-year-old owns an ugly 6.23 ERA, 1.56 WHIP and 69:41 K:BB in 94.2 career MLB innings (15 starts).

Bregman was scratched from Sunday's lineup against the Guardians while it was in a rain delay, Brian McTaggart of MLB.com reports.

The game had been delayed for almost an hour when the team submitted a new lineup without Bregman, Jose Altuve or Kyle Tucker, as the Astros opted to not risk one of their veterans getting injured in subpar conditions ahead of the playoffs.