MLB Player News

Senga came away with a no-decision in the second game of Wednesday's doubleheader against the Marlins, giving up two runs on three hits and three walks over five innings in a 4-2 loss for the Mets. He struck out eight.

The runs scored on solo shots by Jon Berti and Jesus Sanchez, but Senga was otherwise fairly dominant as he generated 30 called or swinging strikes among his 96 pitches. The 30-year-old right-hander wraps up his first MLB campaign with a 2.98 ERA, 1.22 WHIP and a 202:77 K:BB through 166.1 innings, and barring the Mets making a big offseason splash once again, Senga figures to head into 2024 as the team's ace.

Lucchesi (4-0) picked up the win in the first game of Wednesday's doubleheader against the Marlins, giving up two runs on seven hits and two walks over six-plus innings in an 11-2 rout. He struck out three.

The southpaw took a shutout into the seventh inning before serving up back-to-back doubles to Jazz Chisholm and Nick Fortes to lead off the frame and getting the hook, but the Mets were already comfortably ahead 6-0 at that point. Lucchesi has been sharp in September, posting a 1.93 ERRA, 1.34 WHIP and 10:7 K:BB through 18.2 innings over three starts, and he could be positioning himself for a full-time rotation spot in 2024, assuming he can stay healthy.

Berti went 5-for-7 with two walks, a double, a triple, a solo home run, a second run scored and a stolen base across both games of Wednesday's doubleheader split with the Mets.

After getting the start at second base in the matinee and going 3-for-4 with his double and triple, Berti moved over the third base in the nightcap and completed his pseudo-cycle by leading off the game with his seventh homer of the year against Kodai Senga. Berti has reeled off five multi-hit performances in his last six starts as part of an eight-game hitting streak, and the veteran utility player is batting .583 (14-for-24) over that blistering stretch with seven extra-base hits (two doubles, a triple and four home runs), two steals, six runs and six RBI. The Marlins are currently tied for the final wild-card spot in the NL, and should they make the postseason, Berti's September could become the stuff of legend in Miami.

Nardi recorded his third save of the season in the second game of Wednesday's doubleheader against the Mets, walking one and striking out two in a scoreless ninth inning.

With Tanner Scott (paternity leave) unavailable, Nardi wound up getting the save chance as A.J. Puk, David Robertson and Matt Moore had already combined to throw 3.2 innings of scoreless relief in the nightcap. Nardi has been scored upon only once in his last 15 appearances, posting a 0.61 ERA, 1.09 WHIP and 17:7 K:BB through 14.2 innings since Aug. 19 with two wins and eight holds, but the save was his first since June 18.

Cueto came away with a no-decision in the second game of Wednesday's doubleheader against the Mets, giving up two runs on four hits and a walk over 4.1 innings in a 4-2 win for the Marlins. He struck out four.

The veteran right-hander exited the game after 73 pitches (47 strikes) with the score tied 2-2, and both runs came on solo shots by Francisco Lindor. Cueto continues to have difficulty keeping the ball in the park -- since the beginning of August, he's served up 13 long balls in only 36.1 innings, leading to a 6.44 ERA -- but this time he avoided serving them up with runners on base. The Marlins head into Thursday tied with the Cubs for the final wild-card spot in the NL, and should a playoff berth still be on the line, Cueto could be available for the final game of the regular season Oct. 1 in Pittsburgh.

Garrett (9-7) took the loss in the first game of Wednesday's doubleheader against the Mets, giving up four runs on three hits and two walks over four innings as the Marlins were routed 11-2. He struck out two.

Originally schedule to pitch Tuesday, the extra day of rest just seemed to throw Garrett off as he got tagged for more than three runs for the first time since July 21, on the backs of two-run homers by Pete Alonso and Francisco Lindor. The southpaw got lifted after 77 pitches (46 strikes), perhaps with the intention of being available in some capacity for the final game of the season Oct. 1 should a wild-card spot still be on the line. Heading into Thursday, the Marlins are tied with the Cubs for the final playoff berth in the NL. Since the beginning of August, Garrett has a 2.85 ERA, 1.08 WHIP and 39:12 K:BB through 53.2 innings and has been Miami's most consistent pitcher.

Corbin (10-15) took the loss Wednesday, allowing four runs on six hits and four walks over 4.2 innings against the Orioles while striking out two.

Corbin was victimized by a two-run shot off the bat of Adley Rutschman in the bottom of the third, after the lefty walked Austin Hays to open the frame. The 34-year-old veteran's troubles would continue in the fifth inning, where he was once again charged with two runs, marking his second consecutive start with at least four runs allowed. Corbin has failed to make it through five innings in each of his last two outings and in three of his last five. He's also given up six home runs this month and has now lost four of his last five starts.

Vargas and the Nationals avoided arbitration Wednesday by agreeing to a one-year contract for 2024.

Vargas is making $975,000 this season and should get a little salary bump for 2024. The 32-year-old utility player has a career-high 280 plate appearances with the Nats in 2023, producing a .245/.299/.354 batting line with four home runs. Vargas does not have options left, so he figures to head into next season in a reserve role for the Nationals.

Vines was optioned to Triple-A Gwinnett on Thursday.

The move comes one day after Vines held the Cubs to two runs over six innings in a no-decision Wednesday. He's being sent out in favor of AJ Smith-Shawver, who is starting Thursday's contest. Vines has made a nice first impression in the big leagues in 2023, holding a 3.98 ERA, 1.08 WHIP and 14:7 K:BB over 20.1 frames.

Smith-Shawver was recalled from Triple-A Gwinnett on Thursday.

Smith-Shawver will get a start Thursday against the Cubs as Atlanta goes for the sweep. The 20-year-old right-hander holds a 4.57 ERA and 1.25 WHIP through 21.2 innings in the big leagues. He could be sent back to the minors immediately after Thursday's outing.