MLB Player News

Fried developed a blister on his left index finger during his start Thursday against the Nationals, Justin Toscano of The Atlanta Journal-Constitution reports.

Fried shut down the Nationals to earn the win, allowing one earned run on three hits and one walk while striking out seven across six innings. Adding to the good news is the fact that he's expected to pitch through the blister and not miss his final start of the regular season.

Swanson went 2-for-5 with a home run and three total RBI in Thursday's loss to the Pirates.

Swanson singled home a run in the seventh inning, then plated two more on a home run in the ninth, his 22nd of the season. The shortstop had 25 long balls last year and a career-best 27 a year before that, so he'll need a strong final nine games of 2023 to reach either of those figures. Swanson has still been a solid contributor for the Cubs as they fight for a playoff spot.

Albies went 4-for-6 with a double, home run, four RBI, two runs scored and one steal in Thursday's win over the Nationals.

Albies opened the scoring Thursday night for Atlanta with a first-inning RBI double and closed it out with a two-run homer in the ninth. This was the 26-year-old's third four-hit game of the year (first since June 4). Albies has produced a splendid year while bouncing back from last year's injury-riddled 64-game season. He has slashed .274/.328/.509 with 32 homers, 13 steals, 103 RBI and 89 runs over 139 contests.

Hendricks (6-8) allowed three runs (one earned) on seven hits across six innings to take the loss Thursday against the Pirates. He walked two and struck out five.

Hendricks pitched well enough, but the Cubs didn't score until the seventh inning and the veteran righty ended up with the loss. This was his first time covering at least six innings this month, and he lowered his season ERA to a solid 3.66. Hendricks has been his typical pitch-to-contact self this year with only 91 strikeouts across 132.2 innings, though he's still managed to be effective. He's in line to start next against Atlanta on the road, which figures to be a challenging matchup and could be his last outing of the regular season.

Fried (8-1) earned the win Thursday over the Nationals, allowing one run on three hits and one walk over six innings. He struck out seven.

Fried hasn't missed a beat since returning from an elbow injury Aug. 4. The seven-year veteran has made nine starts during that span, producing a 2.78 ERA, 1.16 WHIP and 55:12 K:BB over 51.2 innings. Fried is scheduled to make his next start at home against the Cubs.

Alcantara (forearm) allowed one hit and no walks while striking out four across four scoreless innings in a rehab outing with Triple-A Jacksonville on Thursday, Jordan McPherson of the Miami Herald reports.

Alcantara put up an impressive stat line, but more importantly he managed to throw 51 pitches while mixing in all of his offerings. He also topped out at 98.3 mph. The next step for Alcantara is unclear, though he could get one more turn in the big-league rotation before the regular season comes to a close.

Perkins went 1-for-4 with a solo home run in Thursday's win against the Cardinals.

Perkins opened the scoring in Thursday's victory with a 390-foot solo homer off Miles Mikolas in the third inning. The 27-year-old rookie has started four of five games since returning from an oblique injury Sept. 17. Perkins is known for his glove and speed and is slashing .217/.322/.326 with three homers and five steals over 60 games.

Caratini went 2-for-4 with a three-run home run in Thursday's 6-0 win over the Cardinals.

Caratini drew his 51st start behind the dish for the Brewers and made the most of it. His seventh homer of the year came in the sixth inning and chased Miles Mikolas from the game. Caratini has provided solid production as William Contreras' backup in Milwaukee with a .253/.327/.382 slash line over 57 games.

Mikolas (7-13) took the loss Thursday, allowing five earned runs on nine hits and one walk over five innings against the Brewers. He struck out four.

Everything fell apart for Mikolas in the sixth inning, as he allowed four runs, capped by a Victor Caratini three-run homer, and departed without making an out. This was the 35-year-old's eighth straight start allowing three or more runs, dating back to Aug. 14. Over that span, he has a 7.24 ERA, 1.52 WHIP and 23:11 K:BB over 46 innings. Mikolas has pitched to the tune of a 4.95 ERA, 1.34 WHIP and 122:37 K:BB over 187.1 innings this season.

Miley (9-4) earned the win Thursday over the Cardinals, throwing six shutout innings with seven strikeouts in a 6-0 victory. He allowed three hits and two walks.

Miley stymied the Cardinals on Thursday, scattering just five baserunners across a marvelous six innings. He allowed only one extra base hit -- a double by Paul Goldschmidt in the first inning. The 13-year veteran easily had his best start since returning from an elbow injury Aug. 2. In nine starts since being activated, Miley has gone 3-2 with a 3.40 ERA, 1.09 WHIP and 31:18 K:BB over 47.2 innings.