MLB Player News

Garcia went 2-for-5 with a solo home run and an additional RBI in Sunday's loss to the Phillies.

He took Aaron Nola deep in the opening frame for his 18th home run of the year. Garcia later added an RBI single in the fifth, but the Nationals ultimately fell short in their season finale. The 24-year-old Garcia showed tremendous growth in 2024, setting career highs across the board. The infielder finishes his breakout season with a .282 batting average, 18 home runs, 70 RBI, 58 runs scored and 22 stolen bases in 140 games played.

Sale will start the second game of Monday's doubleheader against the Mets, if necessary, Mark Bowman of MLB.com reports.

Sale will be waiting in the wings Monday to start the nightcap if Atlanta loses the opener of their doubleheader with New York. The team needs to win one of the two games to clinch a spot in the Wild Card Round on Tuesday, so if Atlanta wins the opener, Sale will shift his focus to getting ready for the postseason. Spencer Schwellenbach will toe the rubber in the first game Monday.

Ruiz allowed two hits and a walk in a scoreless ninth inning against the Nationals to pick up his first save of the season. He struck out two.

Ruiz was extremely shaky in his first save opportunity of 2024, loading the bases with zero outs before producing a pair of clutch strikeouts. He induced a Juan Yepez flyout to end the threat and pick up the first save of his eight-year career. The 29-year-old veteran was a serviceable bullpen arm for Philadelphia this season, logging a 3.71 ERA, 1.33 WHIP and 52:17 K:BB in 51 innings, adding five wins and one save.

Schwellenbach will start the first game of Monday's doubleheader with the Mets, Mark Bowman of MLB.com reports.

Schwellenbach will get another start prior to the end of the regular season as Atlanta will be forced to play a doubleheader with New York on Monday. The team needs to win at least one of the two games to clinch a spot in the playoffs. The right-hander has recorded three straight quality starts, posting a 1.89 ERA and 0.84 WHIP with 15 strikeouts over 19 innings in those outings.

Irvin (10-14) took the loss Sunday against the Phillies, allowing six earned runs on five hits and three walks in 4.1 innings. He struck out three.

Irvin stumbled out of the gates, allowing the bases to be loaded with zero outs in the opening frame. He managed to limit the damage to two runs, but Irvin ran into trouble again in the fifth inning. The right-hander again loaded the bases with nobody out, allowing a pair of runs to score on a Kyle Schwarber single and later a Weston Wilson double. The 27-year-old Irvin finishes his second professional campaign with a respectable 4.41 ERA, 1.20 WHIP and 156:52 K:BB in 187.2 innings (33 starts). Irvin will look for more consistency next season after he limped to the finish line in 2024, pitching to a 5.90 ERA, 1.34 WHIP and 57:23 K:BB in 71.2 innings after the All-Star break.

Nola (14-8) picked up the win Sunday against the Nationals, allowing three earned runs on nine hits and zero walks while striking out seven in five innings.

Nola did not save his best for last, surrendering a leadoff home run to Luis Garcia in the opening frame. The veteran righty effectively worked around the traffic he put on the basepaths, however. The 31-year-old Nola was his steady, dependable self yet again for fantasy managers in 2024, pitching to a 3.57 ERA, 1.20 WHIP and 197:50 K:BB in 199.1 innings -- the fifth-biggest workload in MLB this year. Excluding the COVID-shortened 2020 campaign, Nola has started 32 or more games in every season since 2018. During that span, he leads MLB in both starts (208) and innings pitched (1,264.2), making him one of the most reliable starting pitchers in fantasy.

De La Cruz is absent from Sunday's lineup against the Yankees.

De La Cruz will begin Sunday's contest on the bench as Nick Yorke gets the start in right field and bats seventh. Since being acquired by the Pirates from the Marlins in late July, De La Cruz has slashed .200/.220/.294 with three home runs and 17 RBI across 168 plate appearances.

McCutchen is not in the starting lineup for Sunday's game against the Yankees.

McCutchen will sit for a second straight game as Bryan Reynolds serves as the designated hitter Sunday and bats second. Unless he comes in to pinch hit, McCutchen will end the regular season having slashed .232/.328/.411 with 20 home runs and 50 RBI across 515 plate appearances.

Kiner-Falefa is absent from Sunday's lineup against the Yankees.

Jared Triolo will start at third base and bat sixth in Pittsburgh's regular-season finale. As a member of the Pirates this season, Kiner-Falefa slashed .240/.265/.322 with eight stolen bases, one home run and 10 RBI across 215 plate appearances.

Arenado is not in Sunday's lineup against the Giants.

Arenado will get the last two games of the season off. Jose Fermin is starting at the hot corner, batting ninth.