MLB Player News

Alvarez was removed from Friday's game against the Brewers with back spasms, Will Sammon of The Athletic reports.

Alvarez was grabbing at his back immediately after sliding into third base during the seventh inning and stayed on the ground for some time before being helped into the dugout by the Mets' trainers. The severity of his injury remains unknown, but Luis Torrens would be the next man up behind the dish if Alvarez needs to miss some time.

Garrett went 3-for-4 with a two-run homer, a double, an additional run scored and an additional RBI in Friday's 9-1 win over the Phillies.

Garrett had to wait until the last week of the season to rejoin the Nats, though he certainly made the opportunity count, launching a 431-foot homer off Ranger Suarez in the first inning. Garrett slashed .249/.348/.333 with just three home runs in 79 games with Triple-A Rochester this season after batting .269 with an .800 OPS in 268 plate appearances with the Nats last year.

Suarez (12-8) took the loss Friday against Washington, allowing six runs on seven hits and two walks over two innings. He struck out two.

It was a rough night for Suarez, who allowed four runs in the opening inning, with a pair coming on a Stone Garrett homer, before the Nats tacked on two more in the second. The 29-year-old Suarez struggled in the second half of the season, posting a 5.65 ERA in eight starts since the All-Star break. Overall, the left-hander will finish the season with a 3.46 ERA, 1.20 WHIP and 145:41 K:BB across 27 outings (150.2 innings). The Phillies will look for Suarez to get back on track as they begin their postseason run.

Lopez (shoulder) will start Saturday's game against the Royals, Buster Olney of ESPN reports.

Manager Brian Snitker said Friday that Lopez felt great after his latest bullpen session and is ready to return to Atlanta's rotation when needed, and the 30-year-old righty has now officially been penciled in to start Saturday. He hasn't pitched in a game since exiting his start Sept. 10 after one inning due to shoulder inflammation, but he's been one of the most effective pitchers in all of baseball in 2024 with a 2.03 ERA through 128.2 frames. He isn't expected to be under any sort of restrictions in his first start back.

Hodge earned the save in Friday's 1-0 win over the Reds, striking out one in a scoreless ninth inning.

Hodge put the finishing touches on Chicago's shutout victory, setting the Reds down in order to pick up his eighth save. The 23-year-old right-hander has been excellent down the stretch, allowing just two earned runs over his last 19 innings. Overall, Hodge sports a 1.93 ERA with a 0.90 WHIP and 51:19 K:BB across 42 innings this year.

Martinez (10-7) took the loss Friday against the Cubs, allowing one run on five hits over eight innings. He struck out three without issuing a walk.

Martinez was excellent again Friday, allowing a lone fifth-inning run on a Miguel Amaya sacrifice fly. However, the right-hander would wind up with his first loss since Aug. 16 as the Reds couldn't crack Jameson Taillon in an eventual 1-0 defeat. Despite the unfortunate finish, Martinez was spectacular down the stretch, allowing just four earned runs over 32.2 innings in his final five outings. He'll wrap up the year with a 3.10 ERA, 1.03 WHIP and 116:18 K:BB across 142.1 innings.

Frelick was removed from Friday's game against the Mets with an apparent leg injury, Todd Rosiak of the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel reports.

Frelick went down after crashing hard into the wall in right field while attempting to catch a foul ball in the third inning. He was able to slowly limp off the field under his own power but then needed assistance from the Brewers' training staff getting down the dugout steps and into the clubhouse. An update on his status will likely come in the near future, though it's possible the Brewers sit the 24-year-old down for the final two games of the season with a playoff berth already secured.

Taillon (12-8) earned the win Friday over Cincinnati, allowing four hits and two walks over seven scoreless innings. He struck out two.

It was an excellent finish to the year for Taillon, who delivered 13 scoreless innings while allowing just six hits over his final two starts. The right-hander posted a stellar 0.84 ERA in his last five outings (32 innings). It was a strong season overall for the 32-year-old Taillon -- he posted a 3.27 ERA, his lowest mark since 2018, with a 1.13 WHIP and 125:33 K:BB across 165.1 innings.

McCray is not in the starting lineup for Friday's game against the Cardinals, Maria I. Guardado of MLB.com reports.

McCray will be on the bench for the series opener after going 1-for-13 with seven strikeouts during the Giants' three-game series against the Diamondbacks earlier in the week. Heliot Ramos, Mike Yastrzemski and Jerar Encarnacion will man the outfield for San Francisco.

The Giants reinstated Rodriguez (elbow) from the 15-day injured list Friday, Maria I. Guardado of MLB.com reports.

Elbow inflammation has kept Rodriguez on the injured list since mid-August, but he'll return in time to add depth to San Francisco's bullpen for the final series of the season. Prior to his injury, the 25-year-old rookie put up a 3.93 ERA and 1.19 WHIP across 50.1 innings in the bigs, and he'll most likely work in middle relief now that he's healthy again. Mason Black was optioned to Triple-A in a corresponding move.