Pittsburgh Pirates right-handed pitching prospect Bubba Chandler turned in the best start of his young career in a 5-1 win over the Washington Nationals on Saturday. Chandler, who did not factor into the decision, took a perfect game into the sixth inning before allowing two singles and an earned run. The Pirates pulled him after six, and Chandler finished the game with seven strikeouts and no walks on 81 pitches (56 strikes). It was an encouraging bounce-back performance by the 22-year-old, who the Milwaukee Brewers rocked for nine earned runs in 2 2/3 innings in his first career start last Sunday. In five appearances since the Pirates promoted him on Aug. 22, Chandler has recorded a 5.66 ERA with a 1.16 WHIP, 19 strikeouts, and four walks over 20 2/3 frames. He's scheduled to make his next start on Friday against the Athletics.

Kansas City Royals catcher Salvador Perez had a Saturday afternoon to remember in an 8-6 loss to the Philadelphia Phillies. The 35-year-old finished 2-for-4 with a pair of homers and three runs batted in, giving him 300 HRs and 1,000 RBI for his career. Perez, the eighth primary catcher to reach the 300-HR mark, entered Saturday mired in a severe slump that has lasted for over a month. After putting up a .621 OPS in August, Perez has gone just 8-for-45 (.177) in September, though he has smacked four HRs in that 12-game span. Despite an unspectacular .235/.277/.445 line in 584 plate appearances this year, Perez ranks third among catchers in RBI (84) and fourth in homers (27). He has a shot at the second 30-HR campaign of his career.

Houston Astros second baseman/outfielder Jose Altuve (foot) left early in a 6-2 win over the Atlanta Braves on Saturday with discomfort in his right foot. Altuve went 1-for-2 with a single before the Astros brought in Ramon Urias to replace him at second in the bottom of the third inning. Manager Joe Espada said afterward that the Astros were being "cautious" in taking out Altuve, who's now being evaluated. Although Altuve has only hit .212 since the start of August, this has been yet another productive season for the nine-time All-Star. He has slashed .264/.327/.443 with 25 homers, 70 RBI, 77 runs scored, and nine stolen bases in 612 plate appearances. The Astros should have an update on his status before Sunday's game series finale against the Braves.

New York Mets outfielder Juan Soto crushed his 40th home run of the season in a 3-2 loss to the Texas Rangers on Saturday. Along with his 414-foot solo shot, Soto singled during a 2-for-5 day. The Mets have been in free-fall mode and may miss the playoffs despite Soto's best efforts to keep the team afloat in September. He has gone 17-for-47 (.361) with five homers, 13 RBI, 10 runs scored, and six stolen bases in 12 games this month. In his first season as a Met, the 26-year-old superstar has slashed a superb .264/.398/.529 with 97 RBI, 113 runs, and a shocking 32 steals. Soto entered 2025 with a career high of 12 SBs, but he now has the first 40-30 season of his remarkable career.