MLB Player News

Kikuchi allowed two runs on five hits and three walks while striking out two over 5.2 innings in a no-decision versus the Brewers on Thursday.

Kikuchi has walked at least three batters in four of his last seven starts. He's at least gotten the rest of his work under control, allowing just three runs over his last 11.2 innings, but his winless stretch reached seven games Thursday. For the season, Kikuchi has a 4.05 ERA, 1.45 WHIP and 168:73 K:BB through 173.1 innings. The southpaw is tentatively projected for his last start of the season at home against the Royals next week.

Koenig allowed a hit and struck out one over a scoreless inning to earn the save in Thursday's 5-2 win over the Angels.

Abner Uribe was deployed against the heart of the Angels' order in the eighth inning, leaving Koenig to pick up the save in the ninth. This was Koenig's seventh straight scoreless outing, and he's posted a 14:1 K:BB while earning two saves and a hold in that span. He's pitched well as a high-leverage option this year, posting a 3.10 ERA, 1.23 WHIP and 64:20 K:BB with two saves and 26 holds over 61 innings.

Priester allowed two runs on three hits and two walks while striking out 10 over 5.2 innings in a no-decision versus the Angels on Thursday.

Priester was good, but he left the game with the Brewers trailing 2-1, denying him a chance at the win while also falling an out short of a quality start. His lone mistake Thursday was a two-run home run to Luis Rengifo in the fifth inning. This was Priester's third 10-plus strikeout game, and he's allowed just six runs over 18 innings across his three starts in September to carry over his positive momentum from the end of August. The 25-year-old right-hander is now at a 3.25 ERA, 1.21 WHIP and 128:49 K:BB through 152.1 innings over 28 appearances (23 starts) this season. His last outing of the regular season is projected to be a road start in San Diego next week.

Povich (3-8) was charged with the loss Thursday against the Yankees, allowing three runs on five hits and four walks in five innings. He struck out five.

While Povich did manage to hurl at least five innings for a fourth consecutive start, the four walks were his most since his April 18 outing against the Reds. The southpaw did strike out the side in the fourth frame as well, but he remains without a quality start since Aug. 10 against the Athletics. Povich has an underwhelming 5.06 ERA, 1.46 WHIP and 114:41 K:BB over 106.2 innings this year, and he's next set to take the ball versus a Rays team with a strong .799 OPS against left-handed pitching since the beginning of September.

Fried (18-5) picked up the win Thursday against the Orioles, allowing three hits and one walk in seven shutout innings. He struck out 13.

Fried had Baltimore out of sorts, tying a career high with 13 punchouts while inducing an incredible 28 whiffs. It was the second time this season that the All-Star southpaw racked up double-digit strikeouts, and he pitched at least seven innings for the fourth time in his last five outings. Through 188.1 innings this year, Fried boasts a 2.92 ERA, 1.11 WHIP and 182:49 K:BB. His next appearance could be his final regular-season start, which is tentatively set to come against a White Sox club with a paltry .611 OPS versus left-handed pitching since the beginning of September.

Vazquez (shoulder) went 0-for-3 with two walks and a run scored in a rehab appearance with Triple-A St. Paul on Thursday.

Vazquez kicked off a rehab stint Thursday, hitting second in the order while serving as the designated hitter. He'll likely need to get some reps behind the plate prior to rejoining the Twins, so he may still be a few days away from being activated off the IL.

Rea (10-7) allowed one run on four hits and struck out 11 without walking a batter over seven innings, taking the loss Thursday versus the Reds.

Rea was excellent, limiting the damage to a Will Benson RBI double in the fourth inning, but that was the lone run of the game. The Cubs offered Rea no support, as they got one-hit by Reds starter Hunter Greene a day after clinching a playoff spot. Rea picked up his first quality start since Aug. 9 versus the Cardinals, and this was the first time he's logged double-digit strikeouts all season. He's now at a 4.10 ERA, 1.28 WHIP and 120:43 K:BB over 153.2 innings through 31 appearances (26 starts) this season. He'll likely get the chance to tie his career high in starts next week with his last projected outing of the regular season, set to be at home versus the Mets.

Greene (7-4) threw a shutout Thursday versus the Cubs, allowing one hit and one walk while striking out nine over nine innings.

This was the second shutout of Greene's career, with the other coming in his rookie year in 2022. He was perfect through four innings before Moises Ballesteros reached on an error to lead off the fifth. Greene then walked Michael Busch in the sixth and allowed a double to Seiya Suzuki in the seventh. Aside from a poor showing versus the Athletics last Saturday, Greene has been dominant in September, allowing a total of seven runs over 24.2 innings across his four starts this month to keep the Reds feasibly still in the hunt for a playoff spot. Greene is now at a 2.74 ERA, 0.92 WHIP and 125:24 K:BB through 101.2 innings over 18 starts this season. He is projected to make his last start of the regular season at home versus the Pirates next week.

Sasaki (shoulder/calf) is scheduled to pitch in relief for Triple-A Oklahoma City on Thursday, Fabian Ardaya of The Athletic reports.

Sasaki suffered a calf injury in his rehab appearance Sept. 9 and is also working his way back from a shoulder injury that has sidelined him for most of the season. His shift to a relief role is notable, as he could also be auditioning for a postseason roster spot as a bullpen arm.

Nimmo went 1-for-3 with a three-run homer in Thursday's 6-1 win over San Diego.

Nimmo extended New York's lead to 5-1 in the third inning with his homer off lefty Wandy Peralta, his 24th of the year to match a career high. The 32-year-old Nimmo has gone 6-for-20 (.300) with a pair of homers in his last five games. Overall, he's batting .261 with a .768 OPS, 86 RBI, 76 runs scored and 12 stolen bases through 612 plate appearances this season.