MLB Player News

Pagan earned the save in Saturday's 7-4 win over the Brewers, striking out one in a perfect ninth inning.

Pagan was summoned for the fourth straight day and needed just 13 pitches to close out the ninth. The 34-year-old has now converted saves in three consecutive outings and hasn't allowed a run in his past 10 appearances. For the season, he's 32-for-38 in save chances with a 2.88 ERA, 0.92 WHIP and 81:22 K:BB across 68.2 innings.

Strider (7-14) took the loss against the Pirates on Saturday, allowing three runs on eight hits and two walks with five strikeouts over six innings.

Strider generated 15 whiffs on 85 pitches and entered the sixth inning locked in a pitcher's duel before allowing two runs in the frame. While 2025 was a disappointing campaign overall, the 26-year-old closed on a steadier note, allowing three earned runs or fewer in each of his final six starts. He'll finish the season with a 4.45 ERA, 1.40 WHIP and 131:51 K:BB across 125.1 innings.

Chandler (4-1) earned the win against Atlanta on Saturday, allowing one run on four hits and no walks with six strikeouts over 5.2 innings.

Despite throwing just 50 of 86 pitches for strikes, Chandler didn't issue a walk for the third straight start and generated 13 whiffs en route to his second consecutive win. Over his final three outings, the 23-year-old allowed only two earned runs with a stellar 19:0 K:BB. He'll finish his debut campaign with a 4.02 ERA, 0.93 WHIP and 31:4 K:BB across 31.1 major-league innings.

Santana earned the save in Saturday's 3-1 win over Atlanta, allowing one hit and no walks with two strikeouts in a scoreless ninth inning.

Santana was called upon to protect a two-run lead in the ninth and did so on 19 pitches. The 29-year-old has bounced back from a blown save Wednesday with back-to-back scoreless outings and has now held opponents off the board in 10 of his past 11 appearances. For the season, he's 16-for-19 in save chances with a 2.18 ERA, 0.87 WHIP and 60:17 K:BB across 70.1 innings.

Alexander (wrist) exited Saturday's game against the Padres in the bottom of the second inning, Alex Weiner of ArizonaSports.com reports.

Alexander was struck in the wrist by a 88 mph changeup from Padres starter Michael King in the top of the first, and he was ultimately forced to leave the game in the following frame. Tim Tawa replaced him in the lineup and took over at first base while Ildemaro Vargas shifted to third base versus San Diego.

Busch went 4-for-4 with a walk, a double, a triple, two home runs and four RBI in Saturday's 7-3 win over the Cardinals.

The first baseman traded a cycle for a multi-homer game as he finishes out the regular season on a heater. Over his last 16 games, Busch is batting .339 (19-for-56) with eight of his career-high 34 homers on the season, along with six doubles, a triple, 13 runs and 14 RBI. The 27-year-old slugger has become a fixture in the leadoff spot against right-handed pitching, a role he should retain when the Cubs begin their playoff run in the wild-card round Tuesday against the Padres.

Olson was ejected from Saturday's contest against the Pirates ahead of the seventh inning, Grant McAuley of the Marietta Daily Journal reports.

Olson was called for interference while running to first base in the bottom of the sixth inning, and he was ultimately sent home by the home plate umpire for arguing between frames. Eli White replaced him at first base versus Pittsburgh. Olson finished his night 0-for-3 with a strikeout at the plate.

Taillon (11-7) picked up the win Saturday, allowing one run on three hits and two walks over six innings in Saturday's 7-3 victory over the Cardinals. He struck out eight.

The veteran righty continues his hot streak to close out the regular season. Taillon has given up two runs or fewer in seven straight starts since returning from a calf strain in late July despite a groin injury in late August that sidelined him for another couple weeks, going 4-2 with a 1.84 ERA, 0.95 WHIP and 28:8 K:BB in 33 innings during that stretch. With Cade Horton (ribs) landing on the IL on Saturday, Taillon's importance to the Cubs' postseason rotation only grows.

Walker went 1-for-2 with two walks, a two-run home run and a stolen base in Saturday's 7-3 loss to the Cubs.

The long ball, his first since Aug. 28, was the sixth of the season for Walker, while the steal was his 10th in 110 big-league games. The 23-year-old outfielder is still struggling to establish himself in the majors, but he's batting .280 (7-for-25) over the last eight contests with more walks (five) than strikeouts (four) as he looks to wrap up 2025 on a positive note.

Phillips (5-0) retired all four batters he faced Friday night against the Brewers, striking out three while picking up the win.

Since getting called back up from Triple-A Louisville, Phillips has posted a 1.45 ERA and 0.64 WHIP, striking out 26 while walking seven over 18.2 innings. Phillips has quietly been one of the success stories for the Reds, converting from starter to reliever while overcoming Thoracic Outlet Syndrome in the neck. Given Phillips's 33.0 percent strikeout rate and 98.3-mph average fastball, his role in the Reds' bullpen in 2026 could be elevated.