MLB Player News

Weathers (2-2) took the loss Wednesday, coughing up five runs on six hits -- including three home runs -- and two walks over 4.2 innings as the Marlins were thumped 11-1 by the Phillies. He struck out eight.

The eight Ks were a season high for the southpaw, but so were the three long balls as Kyle Schwarber, Edmundo Sosa and Bryson Stott all took him deep on a night when Philly launched eight homers in total. Weathers made only eight starts in 2025 due to injuries, and he'll head into the winter with a 3.99 ERA, 1.28 WHIP and 37:12 K:BB through 38.1 innings.

Hays (back) remains out of the lineup for Thursday's contest versus the Pirates.

Hays will miss a fourth consecutive start as he deals with back spasms. It's unclear when, or if, he'll be able to return to the lineup before the end of the regular season. Will Benson will again start in left field for the Reds on Thursday.

Stephenson went 4-for-5 with a double and a solo home run in Wednesday's 4-3 extra-innings loss to the Pirates.

The veteran catcher kept the Reds alive by launching a slider from Bucs closer Dennis Santana over the fence in left-center field in the ninth inning, tying the game at 2-2, but Cincy couldn't close the deal. Stephenson has been a big part of the team's surge into playoff contention since coming off the IL in early September, and over his last 13 games he's slashing .275/.341/.650 with three doubles, four homers and 13 RBI. The Reds are tied with the Diamondbacks, one game back of the Mets for the final wild-card spot in the NL with four to play.

Greene didn't factor into the decision in Wednesday's 4-3 extra-innings loss to the Pirates, giving up two runs on five hits and two walks over six innings. He struck out seven.

Matched up against NL Cy Young Award favorite Paul Skenes, Greene came through with his 11th quality start of the season, but he still exited the mound after 96 pitches (63 strikes) with the Reds in a 2-0 hole -- only for late homers by Noelvi Marte and Tyler Stephenson to get Greene off the hook for his fifth loss of the season. Cincy is one game back of the final wild-card spot with four to play as the Reds duke it out with the Mets and Diamondbacks for a playoff berth, so Greene could be needed over the weekend if the season is on the line. If not, he wraps up his 2025 campaign with a 2.76 ERA, 0.94 WHIP and 132:26 K:BB over 107.2 innings.

Horwitz went 3-for-5 with two doubles and three RBI in Wednesday's 4-3 extra-innings win over the Reds.

The 27-year-old first baseman dealt a potentially fatal blow to Cincinnati's playoff hopes when he launched his second two-bagger of the night into the right-field corner to lead off the 11th inning, bringing Bryan Reynolds home as the phantom runner. Horwitz is finishing up his 2025 campaign in style, slashing .300/.397/.540 over his last 16 games with six doubles, two homers, seven runs and eight RBI.

Melton will start Thursday's game in Cleveland, Evan Woodbery of MLive.com reports.

Each of Melton's last 10 appearances have come in relief, though he did throw three innings as recently as Sept. 13. The rookie right-hander will be pitching on four days' rest and should be capable of going a few innings for the Tigers, if needed. Keider Montero should be available for bulk out of the bullpen, though it's unclear whether the Tigers intend to use him.

Santana gave up a run on two hits in 1.1 innings Wednesday to blow his third save of the season in a 4-3 extra-innings win over the Reds. He struck out two without walking a batter.

The right-hander got taken deep by Tyler Stephenson in the ninth inning to tie the game at 2-2, only for the Pirates to pull out the win in the 11th. Santana may not have a classic closer's arsenal, averaging 94.8 mph on his fastball, but he's been very effective this year in a high-leverage role, recording four wins, 15 saves and 12 holds with a 2.24 ERA, 0.88 WHIP and 58:17 K:BB through 68.1 innings.

Skenes came away with a no-decision in Wednesday's 4-3 extra-innings win over the Reds, allowing four hits over six scoreless innings. He struck out seven without walking a batter.

The young ace made his closing statement on a strong NL Cy Young Award case, racking up 18 swinging strikes among his 85 pitches (57 total strikes), and Skenes left the mound in line for his 11th win of the season before Dennis Santana blew the save in the ninth. Skenes leads the Senior Circuit in ERA (1.97) and WHIP (0.95) and is tied for the lead with Logan Webb and Jesus Luzardo in strikeouts at 216, although Webb lines up for one more outing this weekend.

Valera went 1-for-4 with a two-run home run in Wednesday's 5-1 win over the Tigers.

The 24-year-old rookie took Jack Flaherty deep in the third inning, giving Cleveland a 2-1 lead the team wouldn't relinquish. Valera has started five of six games against right-handed pitching since being added to the 28-man roster, four at DH and one in right field, and he's gone 8-for-33 (.242) with two doubles, two homers, five runs and five RBI.

Matthews is not scheduled to make a start this weekend in Philadelphia.

Matthews had tentatively lined up to pitch the regular-season finale Sunday, but the Twins have Simeon Woods Richardson scheduled to take the ball that day instead. The righty bounced back from a couple rough outings to throw seven innings of one-run ball versus the Rangers on Tuesday in what turned out to be his final start of the season. Matthews will finish with a 5.56 ERA, 1.49 WHIP and 88:24 K:BB over 79.1 frames covering 16 starts for Minnesota in 2025.