MLB Player News

O'Brien threw a clean ninth inning to earn the save Sunday against the Nationals.

The All-Star closer made quick work of Washington, retiring the side on just six pitches (all strikes). O'Brien has had a shaky month of September, converting only four of his last seven save chances, but Sunday's performance was a step in the right direction as he looks to end the campaign on a positive note. He has a 4.08 ERA, 1.28 WHIP and 64:29 K:BB over 64 innings, piling up 38 saves in 46 opportunities.

Irvin took a no-decision Sunday against the Cardinals, striking out eight while allowing two runs on three hits and no walks in 5.1 innings.

Irvin gave up only three knocks on the afternoon, though two of those went for extra bases. The eight punchouts were his most since April 25 against the White Sox, which was also the last time the right-hander didn't issue a walk prior to Sunday. He's lined up to take the ball in the regular-season finale against the division-rival Mets, and he currently holds a 5.40 ERA, 1.37 WHIP and 104:46 K:BB across 101.2 innings.

Mathews didn't factor into the decision Sunday against Washington, striking out three while allowing three runs on seven hits and two walks in seven innings.

CJ Abrams popped a two-run shot off Mathews in the sixth inning, but the hurler was still able to hang in Sunday for a quality start. The rookie southpaw is potentially working his way into the Cardinals' pitching plans for 2027, as he's either posted a quality start or tossed at least five innings while yielding two runs or fewer in five consecutive outings. His final appearance of the year is slated to come in Milwaukee, where he'll bring a decent 3.65 ERA, 1.38 WHIP and 39:18 K:BB over 44.1 innings.

Conforto went 1-for-5 with a solo home run in Sunday's 9-1 win over the Reds.

Getting a chance to serve as the DH Sunday, Conforto took Cincinnati reliever Carson Spiers deep in the fifth inning for his 15th home run of the season. That's an impressive total for the veteran outfielder, who has largely served as a reserve for the Cubs this year and has has seen 253 at-bats across 108 games, down from 418 at-bats in 138 games for the Dodgers last regular season. Conforto should be a key bench option for Chicago in the postseason as an experienced hitter who's capable of delivering in big spots.

Crow-Armstrong went 3-for-5 with a double, a two-run home run and an additional run scored in Sunday's 9-1 win over the Reds. He also stole a base.

The star outfielder is following up a scintillating August with a big final month of the regular season, as he's now sporting a .946 OPS with six stolen bases, seven home runs and 16 RBI across 18 September contests. Overall, Crow-Armstrong is up to 45 long balls and 38 steals, putting him within shouting distance of just the seventh 40-40 campaign in MLB history. If he swipes two bases and goes deep five more times in the final week, Crow-Armstrong will be just the second player in MLB history to reach 50 homers and 40 steals, joining Shohei Ohtani during his incredible 2024 campaign, when he was unanimously named National League MVP. Crow-Armstrong seems well on his way to taking home that award this year.

Suzuki went 1-for-5 with a solo home run in Sunday's 9-1 win over the Reds.

Suzuki was 0-for-4 with a strikeout until his final at-bat of the game in the eighth inning, when he crushed his 25th home run of the season. It was the talented outfielder's first long ball this month, and his overall total is the second highest of his MLB career, trailing only the 32 homers he hit in 151 regular-season games last year. Suzuki missed a little time to begin 2026 due to a right knee sprain suffered in the World Baseball Classic, but it's been another strong offensive campaign for the 32-year-old slugger.

Encarnacion-Strand is out of the lineup for Sunday's game against the Brewers, Roch Kubatko of MASNsports.com reports.

Encarnacion-Strand started the previous nine games and will receive a day off after posting a .901 OPS during that span. Coby Mayo will shift to third base while Samuel Basallo serves as the designated hitter, which allows Carlos Narvaez to pick up a start behind the plate.

The Giants recalled Beck from Triple-A Sacramento on Sunday, Justice delos Santos of The San Jose Mercury News reports.

Beck will rejoin the Giants for the first time since early August. The 30-year-old righty has made 11 appearances in the majors this year and has a 7.07 ERA, 1.57 WHIP and 6:5 K:BB over 14 innings.

The Giants optioned Abner to Triple-A Sacramento on Sunday, Justice delos Santos of The San Jose Mercury News reports.

The left-hander pitched the past two days against the Dodgers and will lose his place in the big-league bullpen after giving up six runs (five earned) on six hits and two walks. Prior to those two appearances, Abner had been pitching pretty well for the Giants across multiple stints in the majors with a 1.93 ERA and 1.14 WHIP despite a 5:7 K:BB across his previous 14 innings.

Baz (elbow) is scheduled to start Monday's game against the Blue Jays, Rich Dubroff of BaltimoreBaseball.com reports.

The right-hander was removed from his previous start Tuesday versus the Mets after being struck in the elbow by a comebacker, but he's ready to make his next turn through the rotation. Baz has surrendered eight runs on 13 hits with a 7:3 K:BB in his past two starts, which has inflated his season-long numbers to a 4.11 ERA and 1.35 WHIP through 30 starts.