MLB Player News

The deal, which was originally agreed to last weekend —that also includes a $6 million mutual option (and $1.5 million buyout) for 2025 — is now official. The 33-year-old veteran righty bolsters Chicago’s relief mix after making 134 appearances (21 starts) over the last three years for San Francisco. He has the flexibility to pitch in virtually any role moving forward.

Stephenson was checked on by the trainer while seemingly dealing with leg cramps behind the plate in the top of the seventh. He remained in then, but he struggled mightily to get out of the box after a single in the bottom of the inning and was replaced by Will Banfield. If it was just cramps, he could be back Friday, at least as a DH.

Gray is back on the Nationals’ active roster for the first time since injuring his elbow a week into the 2024 season. He wound up having Tommy John that year, and he had a setback this spring with a torn flexor tendon. Since beginning a rehab assignment a month ago, he’d allowed four earned runs with an 8/4 K/BB in 12 innings over 11 appearances. He’ll obviously finish out this season as a reliever, but he could compete for a rotation spot next spring.

The move opens up a spot on the 40-man for Josiah Gray. Mills hadn’t pitched since the Nationals claimed him off waivers from the Dodgers last month. He had a 5.68 ERA in six appearances for L.A. before the Dodgers let him go.

Saturday would be Payton Tolle’s turn, following by Patrick Sandoval on Sunday, but it looks like the Red Sox might be tweaking things. Depending on what they do, they could be aiming to move Tolle ahead of Ranger Suarez as a potential Game 2 starter in their likely Wild Card series.

Goodman has now missed three straight games with right thumb soreness after being pulled from Monday’s game early. There is no indication that the Rockies are thinking about putting him on the injured list, but they also have nothing to play for at this point in the season, so it’s possible. Brett Sullivan will start behind the dish and hit eighth.

Rafaela has been sidelined since September 6th with a right quad strain. The Red Sox could try to get him into a game at Triple-A over the weekend before the season ends, but it appears that the center fielder is close to a return.

Mitchell was scratched from Wednesday’s game with neck tightness. The Brewers said it was precautionary, and they are resting many starters on Thursday, like Christian Yelich and William Contreras, so it’s too early to know if this injury will actually be a concern for Mitchell. Luis Lara will start in center field on Thursday with Sal Frelick playing right field and batting seventh.

The Brewers have clinched the division and are playing an early game, so it makes sense that they would rest a handful of their starters. Fantasy managers should expect them to take a similar approach next week, as they will want to give their starters an extra day of rest or two before the postseason.

Povich was originally scheduled to start on Thursday for Triple-A Norfolk but is no longer listed as the starter. The team is down a starter with Kyle Bradish on the injured list, so it makes sense that Povich will come up to take his spot. The exact day remains unclear, but we’d recommend avoiding him as a spot start against the Brewers.

With the Brewers starting left-hander Kyle Harrison, O’Hearn will take a seat on the bench, and Rafael Flores will play first base while Henry Davis will catch and bat ninth. Brandon Lowe is in the lineup at second base, but he has moved down to fifth against the lefty.