MLB Player News

Castillo is slated to pitch in bulk relief behind opening pitcher Sean Newcomb during Saturday's game against the Cardinals, James Fegan of the Chicago Sun-Times reports.

The top of the St. Louis lineup typically features two left-handed hitters (Bryan Torres and Alec Burleson) against right-handed pitchers, so the White Sox will have the left-handed Newcomb work the first inning or two in order for Castillo to draw some more favorable matchups when he eventually enters the game. Castillo will be pitching in relief for the first time since being acquired by the White Sox at the trade deadline, with the role change coming after he logged a 7.52 ERA, 1.71 WHIP and 23:8 K:BB in 26.1 innings through his first six starts with the club.

Straw isn't in the lineup for Saturday's game against the Orioles.

Straw will move to the bench for the third time in four games despite going 6-for-18 since the beginning of September. Rudy Martin will start in left field and bat ninth.

Clement isn't in the lineup for Saturday's game against Baltimore.

Clement will take a seat Saturday after going 3-for-15 with two runs scored while starting each of Toronto's last four games. Josh Smith will pick up a start at second base and bat seventh.

Kikuchi didn't factor into the decision in Friday's 4-3 loss to the Nationals, allowing one run on three hits and four walks over four innings. He struck out five.

The lefty needed 88 pitches (54 strikes) to record 12 outs as Kikuchi failed to last at least five innings for the first time in four starts since returning from shoulder inflammation. After a bumpy outing against the Rangers on Aug. 23, Kikuchi's been stingier, posting a 1.59 ERA, 1.29 WHIP and 17:8 K:BB over his last 17 innings and three trips to the mound. He'll look to tighten things up in his next start, which is scheduled to come at home next week against the Mariners.

Prielipp is slated to start Saturday's game against the Guardians in Minnesota.

Prielipp made his last two appearances for Minnesota out of the bullpen, working in bulk relief behind opener Andrew Morris in a Sept. 1 win over the Tigers and then piggybacking starter Joe Ryan in Monday's 5-4 loss to Detroit. The Twins will separate Prielipp and Ryan and give them standalone starts to close out the weekend series versus the Guardians, though Prielipp will likely have his workload monitored to some degree. The Twins skipped Bailey Ober's turn in the rotation this week, but it's possible that he could be called upon to piggyback Prielipp on Saturday.

Jansen struck out the only batter he faced Friday to record his 19th save of the season in a 6-2 win over the Rockies.

Brant Hurter ran into trouble in the ninth inning, forcing Jansen into the game with two outs and the potential tying run on deck, and the veteran closer got the job done by fanning Connor Norby on just four pitches. Jansen has been mostly dialed in since the All-Star break, and over his last 16.1 innings and 18 appearances he's put together a 2.20 ERA, 1.04 WHIP and 20:9 K:BB with three wins and eight saves.

Valdez (10-10) picked up the win Friday, allowing one unearned run on six hits and two walks over six innings in a 6-2 victory over the Rockies. He struck out two.

The veteran southpaw delivered his fourth straight quality start, and 16th of the season, on 90 pitches (58 strikes). Valdez has found a groove late in the year, and over his last eight outings since the beginning of August he's produced a 2.86 ERA, 1.33 WHIP and 29:19 K:BB in 50.1 innings with a 5-3 record. He'll look to keep rolling in his next start, which is set to come on the road next week in Toronto.

Arrighetti is slated to pitch in bulk relief behind opening pitcher Spencer Miles in Saturday's game against the Orioles in Toronto, Patrick Ho of the Toronto Star reports.

Since being acquired from the Astros at the trade deadline, Arrighetti has gone 0-4 with an 8.04 ERA, 1.53 WHIP and 6.8 K-BB% over 15.2 innings across four appearances (two starts) for the Blue Jays. Toronto is hoping to coax better results from Arrighetti by having him enter after Miles covers the first few innings of Saturday's contest, but Arrighetti's recent form makes him far from a dependable streaming option.

Holderman (wrist) threw a bullpen session Friday at Progressive Field, Paul Hoynes of The Cleveland Plain Dealer reports.

The Guardians placed Holderman on the injured list Sept. 4 due to right wrist inflammation, but his ability to get back on the mound a week later suggests that he won't require an extended stint on the shelf. Before being deactivated, Holderman had produced a 2.73 ERA, 1.04 WHIP and 50:20 K:BB in 52.2 innings while collecting six wins, one save and 11 holds in 54 appearances out of the Cleveland bullpen.

Verlander (hamstring/hip) threw a mound session Saturday with hitters standing in, Jason Beck of MLB.com reports.

Although the batters Verlander faced weren't taking any swings, Saturday's session marks a tangible step forward for the future Hall of Famer. He's already confirmed that he will retire at the end of the year, and the Tigers are hoping that he'll be able to make one last start during the final weekend of the regular season.