MLB Player News

Selby is listed as Pittsburgh's probable starting pitcher Sunday against the Yankees.

Selby will serve as an opener for the fifth time this season, and he's allowed four earned runs with a 9:3 K:BB over six frames in that role. The rookie right-hander will likely only cover an inning or two before giving way to Andre Jackson, who is expected to work in bulk relief.

Stroman struck out one and allowed a hit and an unearned run over an inning of relief in Saturday's 7-6 loss to the Diamondbacks in 13 innings.

Stroman worked out of the bullpen for the second straight day, giving the righty three total innings of relief work after not pitching in a game since the end of July. Stroman was arguably the team's best starter earlier in the season, but at this point, the Cubs seem content using him as a reliever as he builds back up following the absence. He could give the rotation a boost if the team makes the playoffs, though fantasy managers may not be able to take advantage.

Ashcraft will undergo season-ending surgery on his right big toe Tuesday, Gordon Wittenmyer of the Cincinnati Enquirer reports.

Ashcraft landed on the injured list earlier this month and hoped to pitch again, but surgery obviates a return in 2023. The Reds move forward with just one pitcher from the Opening Day rotation -- Hunter Greene -- and three rookies. Ben Lively, who battled through a pectoral injury and recently returned from the COVID-19-related injured list, is also projected to start games.

Megill (8-8) took the loss Saturday as the Mets fell 3-2 to the Reds, giving up three runs (two earned) on nine hits and two walks over 5.2 innings. He struck out two.

The right-hander came one out short of his fifth quality start of the season, tossing 56 of 97 pitches for strikes in a solid effort, but New York wasn't able to supply Megill with much run support. He's allowed three runs or less in six straight starts with a 3.13 ERA, but his 1.55 WHIP and 28:15 K:BB through 31.2 innings over that stretch suggest he still has some work to do to lock down a rotation spot for 2024. Megill's next outing lines up for a road series next weekend in Philadelphia.

Diaz was not available to pitch Saturday when Derek Law recorded the save in a 3-2 win over the Mets, Gordon Wittenmyer of the Cincinnati Enquirer reports.

Diaz had thrown a total of 57 pitches over three of the previous four days, so manager David Bell opted for Law, who earned his second save of the season.

Encarnacion-Strand went 2-for-3 with a two-run home run and a stolen base in Saturday's 3-2 win over the Mets.

Getting the start at third base and batting seventh, Encarnacion-Strand delivered what proved to be the winning runs when he lofted a Tylor Megill fastball over the fence in right-center field in the fourth inning. Encarnacion-Strand hasn't been seeing regular playing time lately on a crowded Reds roster, but the 23-year-old has been making the most of his opportunities, slashing .325/.357/.525 through 12 games in September with two doubles, two homers, four runs and five RBI.

Law gave up two hits in a scoreless ninth inning Saturday to record his second save of the season in a 3-2 win over the Mets.

With Alexis Diaz having pitched three of the prior four days, Reds manager David Bell had to get creative to protect a late lead, and Fernando Cruz worked the seventh and eighth innings before handing the ball off to Law. The right-hander made things interesting, serving up singles to Daniel Vogelbach and Francisco Alvarez, but he got Pete Alonso to ground out to escape the jam. Law has been struggling lately, posting a 10.80 ERA and 2.52 WHIP over his last 10 appearances, and his last hold or save prior to Saturday came July 3, so he's unlikely to see regular high-leverage duty down the stretch.

Longoria entered as a pinch hitter, walked and scored a run in Saturday's 7-6 extra-innings win over the Cubs.

Longoria pinch hit for Alek Thomas in the bottom of the 13th inning and eventually made it to second base, from where he raced home on a Gabriel Moreno single to score the game-winning run. Longoria adjusted his slide at the last moment to avoid the catcher's tag. It was a rare highlight in the third baseman's recent performance. Longoria is 7-for-43 over 16 games since returning from a back injury in August, and Saturday's run is the only one he's scored during that stretch.

Abbott came away with a no-decision Saturday in the Reds' 3-2 win over the Mets, giving up two runs on six hits and three walks over 3.2 innings. He struck out five.

The rookie southpaw tossed an inefficient 91 pitches (54 strikes) before getting the hook after serving up a pair of doubles in the bottom of the fourth inning, missing out on his ninth win of the season in the process. Abbott has failed to complete more than four innings in four of his last five starts, stumbling to a 6.33 ERA, 1.83 WHIP and 24:15 K:BB through 21.1 innings over that stretch, but the Reds don't have any better rotation options as they try to hang onto a wild-card spot in the NL. He lines up to take the mound next at home against the Pirates next weekend.

Moreno went 2-for-4 with two walks, a stolen base and an RBI in Saturday's 7-6 extra-innings win over the Cubs.

Moreno's opposite-field, walk-off single scored Evan Longoria, who adjusted his slide to avoid the tag, as the Diamondbacks won a second straight game against the team ahead of them in the wild-card standings. After going 4-for-4 in Friday's win, Moreno has reached base eight times in 10 plate appearances over the first two games of the series.