MLB Player News

Valencia went 1-for-4 with a solo home run in Sunday's 4-2 loss to the Pirates.

The 26-year-old backstop along with Kevin McGonigle provided all of Detroit's offense in the regular season finale with a pair of solo home runs, giving Valencia two homers in as many days. The rookie thus wraps up an impressive debut campaign in which he batted .341 with a 1.016 OPS and eight long balls across 42 games. MLB pitchers will certainly make adjustments in how they attack Valencia next year, though he looks like a more-than-capable hitter in the majors who could see his fantasy value climb if his role with the Tigers expands.

Madden tossed three scoreless innings of relief with three strikeouts in Sunday's 4-2 loss to the Pirates.

The Tigers only got 1.1 innings out of starter River Ryan in the regular season finale Sunday, so they needed some length from Madden and two other relievers. The righty bounced back from allowing two runs in his last appearance to wrap up his 2026 campaign on a high note. Madden finishes the year with a 3.26 ERA and 46 strikeouts across 47 innings, and he figures to be in the mix for a bullpen spot with the Tigers once again in 2027.

Richards was credited with the save Sunday against Colorado, allowing one run on one hit and no walks in 3.1 innings. He struck out three.

Richards bridged the final gap between the regular season and postseason for the White Sox on Sunday. The performance bolstered his case to make Chicago's playoff roster, and the right-hander is expected to fill a middle-relief role as a multi-inning option this postseason. He'll close the regular season with a 3.78 ERA, 1.13 WHIP and 68:23 K:BB across 78.2 innings for the White Sox.

Houck (0-1) took the loss against the Cubs on Sunday, allowing three runs on four hits and no walks with one strikeout over three innings.

Houck made his first major-league start in 503 days after a lengthy rehab from elbow surgery and was burned by two homers from Alex Bregman. The southpaw has worked just 11 innings between the majors and minors this year, and it's unclear what his role will be with the Red Sox as they head into the postseason.

Kay (10-9) earned the win Sunday against the Rockies, striking out four while allowing one run on five hits and two walks in five innings.

Kay got a tune-up start ahead of the playoffs, looking sharp Sunday in a strong outing against a soft lineup. The southpaw is likely to serve as either a starter or bulk reliever for the White Sox this postseason following perhaps his best big-league campaign so far. He posted a career-best 4.44 ERA, 1.37 WHIP and 129:56 K:BB across 158 innings this season.

McGonigle went 2-for-3 with a solo home run in Sunday's 4-2 loss to the Pirates.

McGonigle finished his stellar rookie campaign with a bang, launching a solo homer in his final at-bat of the year. The 22-year-old concludes the season slashing .278/.376/.430 with 18 home runs, 72 RBI, 97 runs scored and 12 steals across 707 plate appearances and is all but a lock for the American League Rookie of the Year Award.

Ryan (0-1) took the loss against the Pirates on Sunday, allowing two runs on three hits and two walks with three strikeouts over 1.1 innings.

Ryan allowed a leadoff homer and struggled overall, throwing just 21 of 39 pitches for strikes with four whiffs. The 28-year-old yielded two earned runs over 4.1 innings in a two-start stint with the Tigers and posted a 4.39 ERA, 1.34 WHIP and 47:9 K:BB across 41 Triple-A frames this season. He was a prized asset in the Tarik Skubal trade with the Dodgers and should factor into the Tigers' rotation plans in 2027.

Scherzer (4-9) notched the win Sunday against the Reds, striking out seven while allowing one run on six hits and one walk in seven innings.

In what may have been his final major-league start, Scherzer put forth a vintage display Sunday. The future Hall of Famer worked seven innings for just the second time all year, generating an outstanding 19 whiffs and emptying the tank for a season-high 114 pitches on just three days' rest. Scherzer, 42, is an unrestricted free agent this offseason, and he'll decide over the winter if he's ready to hang up his cleats following a decorated 19-year big-league career. He appeared to be on his last legs in the first half, working to a 10.23 ERA and 1.73 WHIP over 22 innings before the All-Star break, but Scherzer did show signs of life with a 4.16 ERA and 1.20 WHIP across 62.2 frames after the break.

Bell went 1-for-3 with a home run, a walk and three RBI in Sunday's 6-4 win over the Rangers.

Bell opened the scoring with a sacrifice fly in the first inning before adding a two-run shot in the third. It ends a solid campaign for the 34-year-old, who took a one-year deal with the Twins and led the team with 96 RBI, his highest total since 2019. Additionally, he slashed .255/.319/.419 with 21 homers, 78 runs scored and two steals across 631 plate appearances and may enter free agency despite having a mutual option for 2027.

Pecko (2-0) earned the win Sunday over the A's, allowing just one hit and no walks over three scoreless innings. He struck out three.

Pecko handled bulk duties Sunday after Peter Lambert went the first two innings. The rookie right-hander was sharp, holding the A's to a lone single across three scoreless frames as the Astros' cruised to a 9-0 victory to clinch the AL West title. Pecko was effective overall as a swingman for Houston after making his debut in August. He'll finish the regular season with a 3.93 ERA, 1.14 WHIP and 23:14 K:BB over 34.1 innings.