MLB Player News

Alcantara picked up the save in Sunday's 5-3 win over Atlanta. He allowed no hits or walks while striking out one over an inning.

With Miami opting against having him make one last start over the weekend, Alcantara was deployed as a reliever for the third time this season in Sunday's regular-season finale. The veteran right-hander was able to work through a leadoff error and retire the next three batters in order to secure his third save. Alcantara will end the campaign with a major-league-leading 214 innings, posting a 13-11 record with a 3.87 ERA, 1.23 WHIP and 153:59 K:BB across 36 appearances.

Ritchie (1-5) took the loss Sunday, allowing four runs on seven hits and two walks over 5.2 innings against Miami. He struck out two.

Ritchie performed well through the first five innings, allowing just one run via a solo homer to Heriberto Hernandez in the fourth frame, before unraveling in a three-run sixth inning and being pulled at 87 pitches (56 strikes). Regarded as one of Atlanta's top pitching prospects entering 2026, the 23-year-old has struggled to consistently put things together at the big-league level. Ritchie will close his rookie regular season with a 4.91 ERA, 1.47 WHIP and 68:43 K:BB in 73.1 innings (17 appearances).

Junk did not factor into the decision Sunday, allowing one run on three hits and a walk over 4.2 innings in a 5-3 win over Atlanta. He struck out five.

Junk's lone blemish was a solo homer surrendered to Mauricio Dubon in the third inning, and the right-hander departed at 64 pitches (44 strikes) after 4.2 frames. The right-handed hurler posted a 4.79 ERA, 1.26 WHIP and 19:5 K:BB across 20.1 innings (five starts) in September. He'll close the 2026 campaign with a 6-9 record, 4.22 ERA, 1.29 WHIP and 89:33 K:BB over 123.2 innings (26 appearances).

Richards was credited with the save Sunday against Colorado, allowing one run on one hit and no walks in 3.1 innings. He struck out three.

Richards bridged the final gap between the regular season and postseason for the White Sox on Sunday. The performance bolstered his case to make Chicago's playoff roster, and the right-hander is expected to fill a middle-relief role as a multi-inning option this postseason. He'll close the regular season with a 3.78 ERA, 1.13 WHIP and 68:23 K:BB across 78.2 innings for the White Sox.

Houck (0-1) took the loss against the Cubs on Sunday, allowing three runs on four hits and no walks with one strikeout over three innings.

Houck made his first major-league start in 503 days after a lengthy rehab from elbow surgery and was burned by two homers from Alex Bregman. The southpaw has worked just 11 innings between the majors and minors this year, and it's unclear what his role will be with the Red Sox as they head into the postseason.

Freeland (4-12) took the loss Sunday against the White Sox, allowing four runs on seven hits and no walks in four innings. He struck out two.

Five of the seven hits allowed went for extra bases Sunday. The southpaw's five-year deal with the Rockies is up following the 2026 season, and it remains to be seen if he'll re-up with Colorado after spending each of the first 10 years of his career in the Mile High City. He turned in one of his worst big-league campaigns this year, registering a 6.65 ERA, 1.52 WHIP and 108:29 K:BB in 135.1 innings.

Garrett (1-1) earned the win over the Red Sox on Sunday, allowing one run on four hits and three walks with two strikeouts over five innings.

Garrett entered in the second inning and limited the Red Sox to one run despite throwing just 39 of 70 pitches for strikes. It was the 29-year-old's first major-league outing since May 19 with the Marlins, and he'll finish the regular season with a 7.71 ERA across just 9.1 innings. It's unclear if he will have a role with the Cubs in the postseason.

Bregman went 4-for-4 with two home runs, a double, a walk, four RBI and three runs scored in Sunday's 6-2 win over the Red Sox.

Bregman was perfect at the plate, going deep in the first and third innings for his third multi-homer game of the second half. After struggling out of the gate, the veteran third baseman posted a 1.010 OPS with 19 home runs and 52 RBI over 61 games since the All-Star break. Overall, he slashed .265/.355/.464 with 28 long balls, 93 RBI, 92 runs scored and three steals across 702 plate appearances and will look to stay hot as the Cubs enter the postseason.

Kay (10-9) earned the win Sunday against the Rockies, striking out four while allowing one run on five hits and two walks in five innings.

Kay got a tune-up start ahead of the playoffs, looking sharp Sunday in a strong outing against a soft lineup. The southpaw is likely to serve as either a starter or bulk reliever for the White Sox this postseason following perhaps his best big-league campaign so far. He posted a career-best 4.44 ERA, 1.37 WHIP and 129:56 K:BB across 158 innings this season.

McGonigle went 2-for-3 with a solo home run in Sunday's 4-2 loss to the Pirates.

McGonigle finished his stellar rookie campaign with a bang, launching a solo homer in his final at-bat of the year. The 22-year-old concludes the season slashing .278/.376/.430 with 18 home runs, 72 RBI, 97 runs scored and 12 steals across 707 plate appearances and is all but a lock for the American League Rookie of the Year Award.