MLB Player News

Wetherholt went 3-for-4 with an RBI and a run scored in Wednesday's 5-1 win over the Pirates.

Wetherholt provided the Cardinals with a steady presence at the plate, reaching base four times and scoring the first run of the game off of a Alec Burleson single. The rookie has gone 6-for-20 (.300) since being activated from the injured list (wrist) on September 16. He's closing out a productive rookie campaign with a .710 OPS, 17 home runs, 14 stolen bases and 51 RBI over 136 games and providing excellent defense at second base.

Lowe went 2-for-4 with a solo home run in Wednesday's 5-1 loss to the Cardinals

The 32-year-old supplied the only offense for the Pirates when he crushed a Matthew Liberatore pitch nearly into the Allegheny River. This was Lowe's 34th home run of the year, which is his most since the 2021 season when he hit 39 for the Rays. Lowe has been hot in September, slashing .338/.413/.620 with two doubles, six homers, 12 RBI and 12 runs.

Liberatore (6-14) gave up one run on six hits and no walks while striking out six over 5.2 innings to earn the win Wednesday versus the Pirates.

Liberatore picked up his first victory since July 11, which came against Atlanta just before the All-Star break. During the winless stretch, the left-hander tossed 61.1 innings with a 5.58 ERA and 1.45 WHIP with eight losses in 11 outings. The 26-year-old pitched great Wednesday in Pittsburgh, with the only damage against him coming via a solo homer by Brandon Lowe. It was Liberatore's final start of the campaign, and he'll end 2026 with a disappointing 5.23 ERA, 1.47 WHIP and 154:55 K:BB across 155 innings.

Espino will serve as the opening pitcher during Thursday's game against the Red Sox, Zack Meisel of The Athletic reports.

Espino gave up three earned runs in one inning during his most recent appearance while working as an opener last Friday against the A's, but Cleveland will give him an opportunity to redeem himself Thursday. He'll likely remain in the game for an inning or two before handing the ball over to bulk reliever Joey Cantillo.

Manager Craig Counsell said after Wednesday's loss to Miami that Gausman is dealing with left shoulder soreness, Tony Andracki of Marquee Sports Network reports.

Gausman's shoulder was extended awkwardly as he dove to tag a runner out at third base in the sixth inning. He was removed from the game immediately afterward, though the fact that his pitch count had reached 101 at that point may also have factored into Counsell's decision to take him out. The Cubs will monitor his status over the next couple of days before determining his status for the wild-card round.

Stowers went 1-for-4 with a two-run home run in Wednesday's 3-2 win over the Cubs.

Stowers pushed his hitting streak up to four games with the homer. The slugging first baseman has now left the yard in back-to-back games as he tries to end a somewhat disappointing campaign for Miami on a high note. After submitting a .912 OPS for the Marlins in 2025, Stowers is slashing .240/.331/.460 with 21 long balls, 65 RBI and 57 runs scored over 511 plate appearances in 2026.

Alcantara notched the save Wednesday against the Cubs, allowing one hit and no walks in a scoreless ninth inning.

The Marlins deployed Alcantara as their closer for the second time this month, and the hurler induced a game-ending double play to seal it for Miami. The right-hander threw just 12 pitches Wednesday, so he remains firmly on track to take his next and final turn in the rotation Saturday against Atlanta. He has a 3.89 ERA, 1.23 WHIP and 152:59 K:BB across 213 innings, converting both of his save opportunities as well.

Gusto took a no-decision Wednesday against the Cubs, striking out five while allowing two runs on six hits and two walks in 5.1 innings.

Gusto held the explosive Cubs lineup in check Wednesday to end his season on a positive note. The right-hander gave the Marlins serviceable work particularly down the stretch, yielding two earned runs or fewer in nine of his last 10 starts since the beginning of August. He figures to be in contention for a rotation spot next spring for Miami, turning in a 4.09 ERA, 1.44 WHIP and 74:28 K:BB over 88 innings in 2026.

McMahon went 2-for-4 with a grand slam and an additional RBI in Wednesday's 9-2 win over Tampa Bay.

McMahon extended New York's lead to 2-0 in the second inning with a two-out RBI single before breaking the game open with a grand slam off Mason Englert in the third. It was a much-needed performance for McMahon, who'd gone just 1-for-17 in six games prior to Wednesday. Overall, he's slashing .210/.276/.352 across 356 plate appearances this year with 11 homers, 40 RBI and 32 runs scored.

Gausman took a no-decision Wednesday against Miami, striking out seven while allowing two runs on six hits and one walk in 5.2 innings.

Gausman came one out short of a quality start, but it goes down as a strong outing nonetheless. The right-hander's Cubs tenure has been rocky at times -- he's given up two runs or fewer five times and coughed up three or more in four other instances. Barring any unforeseen changes to Chicago's rotation, he'll end his regular season with a 4.51 ERA, 1.27 WHIP and 184:47 K:BB across 177.2 innings for Chicago and Toronto.