The Pittsburgh Pirates have signed free-agent left-hander Jose Quintana to a one-year, $2 million deal on Sunday, according to Jon Heyman of MLB Network. The 32-year-old had a year to forget, posting a 6.43 ERA and 1.73 WHIP while striking out 28.6% of the batters he faced across 63 innings split between the Los Angeles Angels and San Francisco Giants. He appeared in 29 games but started just 10, though he will likely be utilized as a starter with the Pirates given their lack of big-league starting pitching. After being a solid arm for many years, Quintana is all but irrelevant in fantasy at this point, as he owns a 5.13 ERA over the past three seasons, and he won't win many games while pitching for Pittsburgh.

The San Francisco Giants designated pitcher Jose Quintana for assignment on Thursday. The move was made to help clear space for the return of pitcher Johnny Cueto (elbow) and outfielder Darin Ruf (oblique) from the injured list. The team also placed relief pitcher Tony Watson (shoulder) on the injured list on Thursday. Quintana joined the Giants in late August and only made five appearances with the team, all in relief. He had a 4.66 ERA and a 1.45 WHIP over those five appearances.

The San Francisco Giants claimed pitcher Jose Quintana off waivers from the Angels on Monday. Quintana signed a one-year deal with the Angels this season, but compiled a 6.75 ERA and 1.78 WHIP over 53 1/3 innings pitched while dealing with shoulder inflammation. The 32-year-old was great in the beginning of his career, so the Giants are likely hoping to turn him around as they have done so with many pitchers over the past couple seasons. It remains to be seen how the Giants intend to utilize Quintana, but fantasy managers should avoid him at this point in the season regardless.

Los Angeles Angels left-hander Jose Quintana was pulled during the second innings in Thursday's win against the Detroit Tigers. He gave up six runs (five earned), one home run, and seven hits while striking out 1 in 1.1 innings. The outing brought his ERA up to 6.84 over 51.1 innings. Because of the poor result, manager Joe Maddon is unsure if he will make another start, according to Sam Blum of The Athletic. If the Angels move him back to the bullpen, they will either go back to a five-man rotation or have to find a replacement. Quintana lacks any upside with his 5.15 ERA the past three seasons, and there's no reason for any fantasy manager to consider picking him up.

Los Angeles Angels left-hander Jose Quintana will start on Thursday against the Detroit Tigers, according to Rhett Bollinger of MLB.com. The news comes after the Angels sent starting pitcher Patrick Sandoval (back) to the injured list. Quintana is having an ugly season on the mound, posting a 6.12 ERA with 70 strikeouts and 29 walks over 50 innings. The Angels consequently sent him to the bullpen after his May 30 start and he hasn't started since. Quintana has little fantasy value whether he remains in the rotation or not, with his strikeout numbers unable to make up for his disastrous ERA.

HOUSTON (AP) — Nestor Cortes and three relievers combined for a three-hitter and Brett Gardner and DJ LeMahieu each drove in two runs to lead the New York Yankees over the Houston Astros 4-0 on Friday night. Making a spot start, Cortes permitted two hits in 4 2/3 innings, striking out two and walking two and lowering his ERA to 1.05. Lucas Luetge (3-1) pitched 1 1/3 hitless innings for the win. Chad Green gave up one hit in two innings and Jonathan Loaisiga threw a perfect ninth. It was New York’s first visit to Houston since Game 6 of the 2019 AL Championship Series. The Astros advanced to the World Series with a 6-4 win in that game on a two-run homer by Jose Altuve with two outs in the ninth. The Astros are commemorating the event by giving away replica 2019 AL champions trophies on Friday night, 2019 AL champions replica rings on Saturday and Altuve jerseys for the finale on Sunday. GIANTS 5, NATIONALS 3 SAN FRANCISCO (AP) — Curt Casali hit a two-run homer while filling in for injured... [More]

CHICAGO (AP) — Jed Hoyer insists this time won't be like 2011 for the Chicago Cubs. The team's new president of baseball operations said Wednesday that Chicago plans to retool rather than bring out the wrecking ball the way it did nine years ago. Still, this one will leave a mark. In his first major deal since replacing friend Theo Epstein, Hoyer sent NL Cy Young Award runner-up Yu Darvish and catcher Victor Caratini to the San Diego Padres for pitcher Zach Davies and four young minor leaguers Tuesday night. On deck: Willson Contreras? Maybe Kris Bryant, Javier Báez or Anthony Rizzo? Nothing is off the table, though Hoyer was adamant: The Cubs aren't following the 2011 plan. That was the year they hired Epstein and Hoyer, and the pair set the long-suffering franchise on a championship course by overhauling the farm system and revamping the front office. Along the way, Cubs fans endured a painful rebuild that included a 101-loss 2012 season. “I'm not going to run the same playbook that we... [More]

The free agent market received a small boost this week, although it remains to be seen whether teams will be eager to take advantage. A record 59 players became free agents when their teams declined to offer them contracts by Wednesday night's tender deadline. That group included a few well-known names like Kyle Schwarber of the Chicago Cubs and Eddie Rosario of the Minnesota Twins — but these additions to the free agent class did little to change the sense the market could be slow this offseason. Teams may be looking to cut costs amid the coronavirus pandemic, and so far there have been only a few short deals, such as Charlie Morton going to Atlanta on a one-year, $15 million contract and Mike Minor signing with Kansas City for two years and $18 million. As we enter the heart of the offseason calendar, here’s a look at the top free agents still available, broken down by position. The biggest names on the market are players who were already free agents well before the new group of non-tenders... [More]

MILWAUKEE (AP) — Chicago Cubs pitcher Alec Mills has completed eight hitless innings against the Milwaukee Brewers.Mills has walked three Sunday and hasn't let a runner past first base. He's struck out four and thrown 102 pitches. He's due to face nine-hitter Jacob Nottingham to start the ninth, followed by late-game replacements Tyrone Taylor and Jace Peterson. Those two filled in for Avisail Garcia and 2018 NL MVP Christian Yelich after the game turned into a blowout.The 28-year-old right-hander has been rounding back into form for Chicago after starting the year strong and then slumping. He pitched six shutout innings in his previous start Tuesday against Cincinnati and entered Sunday 4-3 with a 4.74 ERA this season.Garcia nearly got to Mills twice. He hit a hard liner to right to lead off the Brewers’ first and nearly legged out an infield hit to short for the final out of the sixth. He crossed first and immediately called to the Brewers dugout for a review, but after a very brief stoppage,... [More]

Pirates first. Kevin Newman flies out to right field to Ian Happ. Adam Frazier lines out to center field to Albert Almora Jr.. Melky Cabrera singles to left field. Jose Osuna singles to right center field. Melky Cabrera to third. Pablo Reyes triples to deep center field. Jose Osuna scores. Melky Cabrera scores. Jacob Stallings grounds out to third base, David Bote to Victor Caratini.2 runs, 3 hits, 0 errors, 1 left on. Pirates 2, Cubs 0.Pirates third. Kevin Newman singles to center field. Adam Frazier singles to center field. Kevin Newman to second. Melky Cabrera strikes out swinging. Jose Osuna doubles to deep right field. Adam Frazier scores. Kevin Newman scores. Fielding error by Robel Garcia. Pablo Reyes singles to right field, advances to 2nd. Jose Osuna out at home. Jacob Stallings singles to center field. Pablo Reyes scores. Jake Elmore grounds out to shallow infield, Jose Quintana to Victor Caratini.3 runs, 5 hits, 1 error, 1 left on. Pirates 5, Cubs 0.Pirates fifth. Adam Frazier... [More]

A look at what's happening around the majors today:TEXAS ONE-STEPThe Astros can clinch a third straight AL West title with a win over the Angels or a loss by Oakland. Houston has won six straight games and is already assured a postseason spot, and it's getting shortstop Carlos Correa in the swing of things at just the right time. Correa homered twice Friday in his second game after missing nearly a month with a sore back, and he finally looks healthy after missing 80 games total with various injuries."We can feel it," second baseman Jose Altuve said. "We're excited. We all are anxious about things right now which is normal because we want to make it happen."CENTRAL CONTROLThe NL Central-leading Cardinals are sending another red-hot pitcher to the Wrigley Field mound with a chance to ensure a series victory in their crucial four-game set against the Cubs. Right-hander Dakota Hudson (16-7, 3.35) is 6-1 with a 1.59 ERA in his last seven starts. That's bad news for slumping Chicago, which has... [More]

A look at what's happening around the majors Saturday:TEXAS ONE-STEPThe Astros can clinch a third straight AL West title with a win over the Angels or a loss by Oakland. Houston has won six straight games and is already assured a postseason spot, and it's getting shortstop Carlos Correa in the swing of things at just the right time. Correa homered twice Friday in his second game after missing nearly a month with a sore back, and he finally looks healthy after missing 80 games total with various injuries."We can feel it," second baseman Jose Altuve said. "We're excited. We all are anxious about things right now which is normal because we want to make it happen."CENTRAL CONTROLThe NL Central-leading Cardinals are sending another red-hot pitcher to the Wrigley Field mound with a chance to ensure a series victory in their crucial four-game set against the Cubs. Right-hander Dakota Hudson (16-7, 3.35) is 6-1 with a 1.59 ERA in his last seven starts. That's bad news for slumping Chicago, which... [More]

A look at what's happening around the majors Saturday:CENTRAL CONTROLThe NL Central-leading Cardinals are sending another red-hot pitcher to the Wrigley Field mound with a chance to ensure a series victory in their crucial four-game set against the Cubs. Right-hander Dakota Hudson (16-7, 3.35) is 6-1 with a 1.59 ERA in his last seven starts. That's bad news for slumping Chicago, which has totaled nine runs while losing four straight games. St. Louis won the first two games of the series, and its starters have given up two runs in 12 innings — including eight one-run innings from emerging ace Jack Flaherty on Thursday.The Cubs are two games behind Milwaukee for the second NL wild card and five back of St. Louis for the NL Central lead. They will start left-hander Jose Quintana (13-8, 3.35), pitching on an extra day of rest after Chicago shuffled its rotation to let veteran Cole Hamels rest his fatigued left shoulder.The Brewers again face Pittsburgh, with right-hander Zach Davies (10-7,... [More]

A look at what's happening around the majors today:POPPIN'Ronald Acuña Jr. and the Braves are poised to break out the bubbly, with a magic number of one to clinch their second straight NL East title. They can celebrate when Mike Foltynewicz (7-5, 4.80 ERA) starts at SunTrust Park against San Francisco. A win by Atlanta or a loss by second-place Washington at Miami will seal it.At 21, Acuña will be able to take part in a champagne toast. The star outfielder with 40 home runs wasn't yet of legal age when the Braves won the division a year ago."They wouldn't let me drink because I was a minor," Acuña recalled, breaking into a big smile. "This year, it's going to be different. I'm looking forward to it."CHICAGO BLUESThe Cubs have fallen to third place in the NL Central for the first time since April, but they can fix that as they continue a four-game set against first-place St. Louis. The Cardinals regrouped after blowing a late lead in the opener, winning on Matt Carpenter's 10th-inning homer... [More]

A look at what's happening around the majors Friday:POPPIN'Ronald Acuña Jr. and the Braves are poised to break out the bubbly, with a magic number of one to clinch their second straight NL East title. They can celebrate when Mike Foltynewicz (7-5, 4.80 ERA) starts at SunTrust Park against San Francisco. A win by Atlanta or a loss by second-place Washington at Miami will seal it.At 21, Acuña will be able to take part in a champagne toast. The star outfielder with 40 home runs wasn't yet of legal age when the Braves won the division a year ago."They wouldn't let me drink because I was a minor," Acuña recalled, breaking into a big smile. "This year, it's going to be different. I'm looking forward to it."CHICAGO BLUESThe Cubs have fallen to third place in the NL Central for the first time since April, but they can fix that as they continue a four-game set against first-place St. Louis. The Cardinals regrouped after blowing a late lead in the opener, winning on Matt Carpenter's 10th-inning homer... [More]

CHICAGO (AP) — Cubs slugger Anthony Rizzo hit a tying home run in his surprise return to the lineup Thursday night for the opener of a crucial four-game series against the NL Central-leading St. Louis Cardinals.Four days after suffering a sprained right ankle that threatened his status for the rest of the regular season, Rizzo was inserted atop Chicago's lineup 20 minutes before first pitch. He homered off Jack Flaherty in the third inning to tie the game at 1, and fans at Wrigley Field celebrated wildly as he slowly circled the bases.Rizzo left a game against Pittsburgh on Sunday after spraining the ankle fielding a bunt, and he was expected to be in a walking boot for up to a week. He warmed up in the outfield prior to Thursday's game while team medical personnel looked on, then was inserted into the leadoff spot and tabbed to play first base.The Cubs also got closer Craig Kimbrel and infielder Addison Russell back.Kimbrel has been out since Sept. 1 due to inflammation in his right elbow.... [More]

CHICAGO (AP) — The Chicago Cubs have activated closer Craig Kimbrel from the injured list before opening a crucial four-game series against the NL Central-leading St. Louis Cardinals.Kimbrel has been out since Sept. 1 due to inflammation in his right elbow. He'll be available Thursday against the Cardinals, who are three games ahead of the Cubs.The 31-year-old Kimbrel signed a $43 million, three-year contract as a free agent in June. He's converted 13 of 15 save chances, posting a 5.68 ERA in 21 appearances. He also spent time on the IL with right knee inflammation in August.The Cubs also got infielder Addison Russell back Thursday. He cleared concussion protocol and was set to be available off the bench. He missed 10 games after being hit in the head by a fastball.Left-hander Cole Hamels will miss his next rotation turn because of persistent fatigue in his left shoulder. The veteran hopes to pitch again during a three-game series at Pittsburgh next week.Righty Alec Mills will start Friday,... [More]

A look at what's happening in the majors Sunday:GOOD ENOUGHSean Manaea isn't up to full strength after returning from shoulder surgery, but the left-hander has nonetheless provided a boost to the Oakland Athletics as they try to secure an AL wild card spot. Manaea, who starts Sunday at Texas, has allowed one run on three hits in 12 innings over two starts since his return, good for a 0.75 ERA. He's throwing fastballs around 90 mph, but it's been plenty effective so far. Manaea said after his last start he can't expect to be "greedy" while he works his arm back into shape, but in the meantime the left-hander's deceptive delivery is working just fine.LIFE OF LUXURYThe Boston Red Sox were big spenders during a disappointing campaign for the defending World Series champions. According to calculations by the commissioner's office obtained by The Associated Press, the Red Sox are on track to pay a $13.05 million luxury tax this season, the highest in the majors. The Red Sox are all but certain... [More]

Cubs second. Kris Bryant walks. Willson Contreras strikes out swinging. Jason Heyward homers to left field. Kris Bryant scores. Nico Hoerner grounds out to third base, Manny Machado to Eric Hosmer. Jose Quintana singles to left center field. Ben Zobrist pops out to shallow center field to Ty France.2 runs, 2 hits, 0 errors, 1 left on. Cubs 2, Padres 0.Padres second. Eric Hosmer singles to shortstop. Wil Myers singles to second base. Eric Hosmer to second. Ty France flies out to center field to Jason Heyward. Eric Hosmer to third. Luis Urias singles to left field. Wil Myers to second. Eric Hosmer scores. Austin Hedges singles to left field. Luis Urias to second. Wil Myers to third. Ronald Bolanos reaches on a fielder's choice to second base, advances to 2nd. Austin Hedges scores. Luis Urias scores. Wil Myers scores. Throwing error by Ben Zobrist. Manuel Margot singles to center field. Ronald Bolanos to third. Nick Martini out on a sacrifice fly to left center field to Kyle Schwarber. Ronald... [More]

PITTSBURGH (AP) — Brian Moran became the first player in major league history to make his debut while on the mound facing his brother, striking out younger sibling Colin in the Miami Marlins' 10-7 win over the Pittsburgh Pirates on Thursday night.Brian (1-0) entered in the fourth inning with the Marlins trailing 5-2. After Bryan Reynolds led off with a groundout, Colin stepped to the plate having doubled in each of his first two at-bats.The 30-year-old Brian fell behind 3-1 before throwing back-to-back sliders to strike out Colin looking. The 26-year-old Colin shouted toward the mound on his way back to the dugout. Moran hit Josh Bell with a pitch and then got Melky Cabrera to fly out in his only inning of work.The Marlins rallied for four runs in the fifth, allowing Brian to get the win. Colin finished 2 for 4.They became the first siblings to face each other in a pitcher-batter scenario with one of the brothers making his major league debut, according to the Elias Sports Bureau.Dario... [More]