MLB Player News

The procedural move opens up a spot on Oakland’s 40-man roster and rules Rucinski out until at least mid-August as he continues to recover from a stomach illness.

Sosa was hitting .216/.247/.295 in 281 PA coming into the final month, but he wound up at .373/.398/.566 in September to put him at .254/.283/.359 overall. That’s still not great, but it should get him a lot more consideration for a spot in the White Sox infield next year. Sosa is still just 24, and while it’d be nice if he had more plate discipline, there is quite a bit of pop here and some potential for fantasy value down the line.

Twice all year did a White Sox pitcher allow three or more runs and get a win. Cannon did it when he gave up four runs to the Angels 13 days ago and then again in giving up four runs today. And, one more time, the standard there is three runs, not four. The White Sox prevailed 9-5 today to finish the year 41-121. Cannon went 5-10 with a 4.49 ERA and a 91/40 K/BB in 124 1/3 innings. We’re not particularly high on him going forward, but he’s definitely in good shape for opening 2025 back in the rotation.

Maeda came into the day with a solid 3.86 ERA and a 41/7 K/BB in 42 innings as a reliever, but based on the fact that he was allowed to throw 89 pitches, we’re assuming he won’t be on the Wild Card roster. He closes out his first year with the Tigers at 3-7 with a 6.09 ERA. He’s due to return to finish out a two-year, $24 million deal next year.

Mize struck out none and walked two in an outing that obviously doesn’t add to his case for making the Wild Card roster as a reliever. This was just his second bullpen appearance after he went 2-6 with a 4.36 ERA in 20 starts. He ends the year with a 4.49 ERA and a 78/29 K/BB in 102 1/3 innings.

We assumed Montero was done after his start Wednesday, but the Tigers brought him back on three days’ rest to throw 56 pitches today. All we know about the Tigers’ Wild Card plans is that Tarik Skubal is going in Game 1 against the Astros. We’re guessing Brant Hurter will figure prominently in Game 2. Montero and Reese Olson would then be Game 3 options.

The Mets haven’t decided on a Game 2 starter, but it seems likely it’ll be Luis Severino if New York needs to win the game. It’ll likely be a bullpen game for the Mets if Megill get the job done and New York clinches their postseason berth, as they’ll have nothing to play for in Game 2. The Diamondbacks need one of the two teams to sweep, but outside of spite, neither team will have anything to play for if the other gets a win in the first game.

Don’t let Weathers’ mid-season finger injury distract you from what was a solid breakout campaign. He had all four of his pitches working and even got some swings-and-misses with his sweeper against right-handed batters. That pitch has grown into a great compliment to his excellent changeup and he’s set up well for success in 2025.

Espada noted that he’s growing more optimistic that Alvarez will be able to work in the Wild Card series against the Tigers beginning Tuesday, but there are still some boxes to check off. The 27-year-old will likely DH in those games if he can play, but obviously the offensive prowess in his left-handed bat can make an impact from the designated hitter position.

Bride hit a dribbler in the first inning that turned into two runs and that would be all the Marlins needed to end their season with a win. This latter part of the season has just gone that way for Bride who has a 12 RBI and a 1.007 OPS over his last 15 games. He has quietly worked his way into the Marlins’ 2025 plans with his strong second half.

Pitching behind opener Anthony Banda, Knack worked the second through fifth innings today and kept the Dodgers in a game in which they failed to score until the eighth. At this point, Knack likely rates as the Dodgers’ fourth starter in the postseason, though they could keep using openers in front of him. He’d likely get bumped if Clayton Kershaw can make it back.