MLB Player News

Watson struck out two in a perfect inning to earn the save in Thursday's 6-4 win over the Mariners.

Ben Joyce (shoulder) is done for the year, so Watson is poised to handle the closing duties in the last series of 2026. The 28-year-old Watson has allowed just one run with an 11:1 K:BB over 8.1 innings in September. He's at a 4.00 ERA, 1.26 WHIP and 65:23 K:BB across 72 innings between the Angels and the Red Sox this season. He's converted four of six save chances and added eight holds.

Rodriguez (5-8) allowed four runs on five hits and five walks while striking out two over five innings to earn the win over the Mariners on Thursday.

Rodriguez wasn't great, but he did enough to end his season on a winning note. However, the five walks were a season high, and he allowed 19 runs over 27 innings across his five starts in September. Rodriguez ends 2026 at a 6.02 ERA, 1.56 WHIP and 85:43 K:BB through 98.2 innings over 20 starts, failing to revitalize his young career with a change of scenery this year.

Butler went 3-for-5 with a double in Thursday's 7-5 loss to the Astros.

Butler wasn't able to join in on the run production, but he put up a third straight multi-hit effort. The outfielder has gone 17-for-47 (.362) over his last 12 contests. He's batting .239 with a .727 OPS, 17 home runs, 61 RBI, 63 runs scored, 19 doubles, two triples and 10 stolen bases over 151 games this season.

McNeil went 2-for-4 with a three-run home run and a double in Thursday's 7-5 loss to the Astros.

McNeil ended a 15-game power drought with his third-inning blast off Peter Lambert. It had been six games without an extra-base hit or a multi-effort for McNeil. He's now batting .267 with a .690 OPS, nine homers, 23 doubles, 59 RBI, 51 runs scored and eight stolen bases over 141 contests.

Gelof went 2-for-3 with a pair of solo home runs and a walk in Thursday's 7-5 loss to the Astros.

Gelof has gone 11-for-26 (.423) with four homers and eight RBI during his seven-game hitting streak. The strong finish to the year has him up to a .259 average, .810 OPS, 22 homers, 54 RBI, 74 runs scored, 16 doubles, two triples and 16 stolen bases over 108 contests. Gelof is seeing steady time at third base now that Max Muncy (knee) is out.

Barnett allowed four runs on four hits and two walks while striking out eight over six innings in a no-decision versus the Astros on Thursday.

Barnett gave up a three-run home run to Lucas Spence and a solo shot to Isaac Paredes. The 25-year-old Barnett was most effective as a reliever this year while struggling in a starting role later in the campaign. He will likely end 2026 with a 7.02 ERA, 1.66 WHIP and 50:30 K:BB over 50 innings across 20 games (six starts). He'll have minimal fantasy appeal as long as he's calling Sutter Health Park his home field in the majors.

Pena went 1-for-5 with a stolen base in Thursday's 7-5 win over the Athletics.

Pena battled a wrist injury earlier in the week and was unavailable to hit Wednesday. He started at shortstop and played the full game Thursday, so it looks like he'll be able to play through any lingering soreness as the Astros battle for the last playoff spot in the American League. Pena is batting .274 with a .790 OPS, 20 home runs, 12 stolen bases, 51 RBI, 77 runs scored, 19 doubles and two triples over 109 contests.

Walker went 2-for-4 with a solo home run and a second run scored in Thursday's 7-5 win over the Athletics.

Walker has reclaimed some power this week, going yard twice over his last three games. He is 6-for-20 (.300) across his last five contests after a brutal 0-for-20 stretch from Sept. 11-18. The first baseman is batting .223 with a .710 OPS, 27 homers, 84 RBI, 69 runs scored, 25 doubles and one triple across 153 games this season.

Paredes went 1-for-4 with a solo home run and a walk in Thursday's 7-5 win over the Athletics.

Paredes has three homers over his last five games. The infielder is up to 24 long balls and 93 RBI on the season, both being his best marks in the last three seasons. He's also batting .261 with an .804 OPS, 27 doubles, 66 runs scored and no stolen bases over 152 contests.

Spence went 3-for-4 with three home runs and five RBI in Thursday's 7-5 win over the Athletics.

Spence went deep in the second, seventh and ninth innings for the first three homers of his big-league career. Considering he had a modest 13 long balls over 99 games across three levels of the minors this season, this was an unexpected showing of power. He's hitting .205 with a .718 OPS, eight RBI and seven runs scored over 49 plate appearances in the majors this season. Spence is poised to handle at least a strong-side platoon role in center field while both Daulton Varsho (wrist) and Brice Matthews (knee) are on the injured list.