MLB Player News

A little confidence builder for Green after he took blown saves in three straight outings from Sept. 1-8. He was perfect tonight, striking out one of the three batters he faced.

Lopez has been out since the beginning of September with shoulder tightness. It’s unclear what role Lopez could have with the Braves once he returns, though he has pitched out of the bullpen before which might make the most sense for him anyway. The earliest he can be activated is Thursday.

Riley hoped to get the cast on his fractured hand removed and return for the playoffs, but now that’s off the table. It was a nightmare of a 2024 season that ends on a down note. He saw his streak of three straight years with at least 159 games played, 33 home runs, 90 runs scored and 93 RBI come to an end. Riley could be a bargain in drafts next year, though he’s coming off a broken hamate bone, which typically saps power upon return to the field.

Skubal allowed just two hits and walked one in a game that wound up taking 1:59 to play. He could have given up 10 runs today and still won AL Cy Young honors, but it’s definitely great for the Tigers that he didn’t. He’ll pitch again Sunday if necessary, though if the Tigers could manage to save him for Game 1 of a Wild Card series, that would be ideal.

The Tigers had Monday off, so everyone was available today after Tarik Skubal got through seven. In a modest surprise, Brieske was the choice to pitch both innings in a 2-0 game. He wound up giving up a homer to Brandon Lowe — on a perfectly good low-and-away changeup that Lowe somehow yanked 363 feet to right — with two outs in the bottom of the ninth, but he then struck out Josh Lowe to end the game. Brieske has allowed three runs — one earned — in his last 14 2/3 innings, lowering his ERA to 3.68. He was walked 11 batters in that span, though. Those desperate for saves could consider picking him up for the last few days, but he probably won’t pitch Wednesday.

Pepiot struck out six. He allowed just three hits, but two of those got mixed in with two walks in the two-run fifth inning. Pepiot dropped to 8-7 with a 3.64 ERA. He’s in like to start the finale against the Red Sox on Sunday, but that could change.

It’s kind of funny how Pérez is only good enough to play every other day for the Tigers, yet he hits second or third when he does play. He was in the third spot today, and he came through in a game in which the rest of the Tigers combined for two singles and two walks. He’s 5-for-24 with three doubles and four RBI in five starts and five appearances off the bench since coming off the IL.

Dubin is a fresh arm for the Astros bullpen in the last week of the regular season. He has a 4.15 ERA, 1.59 WHIP and 45 strikeouts 43 1/3 innings for Houston this year.

Martinez is a solid reliever, but has been optioned to Triple-A many times already this year. This time he’s been jettisoned to make room on the active roster for Shawn Dubin.

With the minor league season over, Pop is heading to the Spring Training Complex. The 28-year-old right-hander had a 5.59 ERA, 1.32 WHIP and 33 strikeouts in 48 1/3 innings for the Blue Jays this year.

Lucas was claimed off waivers by the Blue Jays in August after he was designated for assignment by the Tigers. He had a 10.29 ERA in six games for the Athletics and Tigers this year. Lucas is a fresh arm for the Toronto bullpen in the last week of the season.