MLB Player News

Tolle did not factor into the decision Tuesday against the Guardians, allowing two runs on eight hits and two walks while striking out five across 5.2 innings.

In what will be Tolle's final start of the regular season, the hard-throwing southpaw ended up tossing 91 pitches (63 strikes) and generating 10 whiffs while falling one out short from a quality start. The eight hits allowed were one short of a season high he's set twice before, though he extended his streak of five-plus strikeouts to six. Tolle didn't initially make the Red Sox's 26-man roster at the end of spring training but was quickly promoted from Triple-A Worcester in late April and stayed with the big club from there. He'll end the regular season with a 9-6 record over 26 starts with a 3.03 ERA, 1.10 WHIP and 171:40 K:BB over 148.2 innings. Tolle is in line to start in Game 1 of the American League wild-card round, which is currently slated for next week on the road against the Yankees.

Rasmussen (16-5) picked up the win in the second game of Tuesday's doubleheader against the Yankees, allowing one run on one hit and three walks over 6.2 innings. He struck out 11.

With the 6-1 victory, the Rays clinched the AL East crown and a first-round bye in the playoffs. Rasmussen took a no-hitter into the seventh inning, but a leadoff double by Heliot Ramos led to New York's only run of the game. The quality start was the right-hander's 18th of the season, while the 11 Ks represented his third outing of the season in double digits, and first since Aug. 1. Unless the Rays decide to get him some work on the final day of the regular season to keep him on turn, Rasmussen wraps up the 2026 campaign with new career bests in innings (172), wins (16), strikeouts (174) and WHIP (0.91), and he seems almost certain to be on the bump for Tampa Bay's first postseason contest Oct. 3.

Martinez (15-5) took the loss in the first game of Tuesday's doubleheader against the Yankees, allowing two runs on five hits and a walk over six innings. He struck out seven.

The right-hander made only one real mistake, but Cody Bellinger put it into the right-field seats in the fourth inning for a two-run homer, accounting for the only runs in the game. The seven strikeouts were a season high for Martinez, while the quality start was his 16th of the season. Martinez has given up three runs or fewer in six straight outings, posting a 2.52 ERA, 0.79 WHIP and 25:3 K:BB in 35.2 innings over that span. The Rays clinched the AL East title and a first-round bye in the playoffs with a win in the nightcap, so it remains to be seen whether Martinez will stay on turn and get the start for the final game of the regular season, on the road Sunday in Philadelphia.

Kikuchi allowed two runs on seven hits and a walk while striking out two over 5.1 innings in a no-decision versus the Athletics on Tuesday.

Kikuchi had failed to complete five frames in his previous two outings, but he got back over that threshold this time. He was in line for the win when he exited, but the Angels' bullpen was unable to protect the lead. Through 62.2 innings over 13 starts, Kikuchi has a 4.88 ERA, 1.55 WHIP and 60:29 K:BB. He is tentatively lined up for one more start on the road in Seattle over the weekend.

Gilbert (12-11) allowed four runs on 10 hits and two walks while striking out three over four innings, taking the loss versus the Astros on Tuesday.

Gilbert had another unimpressive home performance Tuesday. He's allowed 14 runs over 15.2 innings across three home starts in September, and he's also lost four of his last five outings overall. The right-hander is at a 3.81 ERA, 1.10 WHIP and 197:48 K:BB through 182 innings over 31 starts this season. He's tentatively projected for a home start versus the Angels over the weekend, but with the Mariners on the verge of elimination, it's not yet clear if he'll be asked to make that start.

Bradley (12-6) allowed one run on three hits and three walks while striking out six over six innings to earn the win over the Giants on Tuesday.

Bradley had a strong performance, throwing 104 pitches (67 strikes) to collect his third straight quality start. The right-hander has given up one run or less in four of his last seven starts. He's at a 3.73 ERA, 1.22 WHIP and 205:76 K:BB through 178.1 innings over 31 starts. Since Minnesota is off Thursday, it's likely Bradley has completed his work this season.

Javier was removed from Tuesday's game against the Mariners with right groin tightness, Chandler Rome of The Athletic reports.

Javier gave up one hit and two walks while striking out two batters in two scoreless innings before his groin forced him to make a premature exit. The 29-year-old righty is tentatively lined up to start Houston's regular-season finale against the A's on Sunday, but the team will presumably monitor his status over the next several days before making a decision regarding his availability.

Schultz (4-9) earned the win after pitching two perfect innings against the Royals on Tuesday. He struck out one.

Since being recalled to the big leagues Sept. 15, Schultz has recorded three consecutive scoreless outings for the White Sox. On the season, the southpaw owns a 5.58 ERA, 1.34 WHIP and 64:31 K:BB over 71 innings. The 23-year-old could serve as a key piece out of the bullpen to eat up innings in the postseason.

Kay did not factor into the decision in Tuesday's 14-11 win over the Royals, allowing four runs on seven hits and one walk over four innings. He struck out four.

Kay allowed four runs over four innings, including a solo homer to Nick Loftin. On the season, Kay is sporting a 9-9 record, 4.53 ERA, 1.37 WHIP and 125:54 K:BB over 153 innings. The southpaw is expected to make his final start Sunday against the Rockies.

The Astros returned Burrows (elbow/shoulder) from his rehab assignment Monday.

Burrows landed on the injured list in mid-July with right elbow inflammation, and he suffered a setback with his shoulder at the beginning of September that has extended his stint on the IL. He was cleared to restart his rehab assignment Saturday and pitched two shutout innings, but the fact that the Astros have again halted his assignment without activating him doesn't bode well for his chances of returning in the regular season.