MLB News
Cristopher Sanchez Gets The Nod For Game 2 Of NLDS
Philadelphia Phillies manager Rob Thomson said that left-hander Cristopher Sanchez will take the ball and start Game 2 of the National League Division Series on Sunday at Citizens Bank Park against the division-rival New York Mets. Right-hander Zack Wheeler will go in Game 1 on Saturday, with the Phillies saving right-hander Aaron Nola for Game 3 on the road at Citi Field on Tuesday. Sanchez had a 2.21 ERA at home this year, compared to a rough 5.02 ERA on the road. Overall, the 27-year-old Dominican southpaw went 11-9 for the Phils with a 3.32 ERA (3.00 FIP), a 1.24 WHIP and a 153:44 K:BB in 181 2/3 innings over 31 starts to become a first-time All-Star in 2024. Sanchez faced the Mets three times this year, going 1-0 with a 3.06 ERA (six earned runs allowed in 17 2/3 innings) while striking out 19 and walking nine batters. With an off day in the series on Monday, the Phillies will have a short leash with Sanchez if he gets off to a rough start on Sunday.
1 hour ago
Kodai Senga To Start Game 1 Of NLDS Against Phillies
New York Mets right-hander Kodai Senga (calf, triceps) will start Game 1 of the National League Division Series against the division-rival Philadelphia Phillies on Saturday at Citizens Bank Park, according to manager Carlos Mendoza. "We'll see," Mendoza said when asked what Senga can actually give the Mets on Saturday. "We're going to let it play out." Senga is an interesting choice to open the series after pitching in just one big-league game all year due to shoulder, calf and triceps injuries. The 31-year-old Japanese hurler's one start came on July 26 against the Atlanta Braves, when he allowed two earned runs in 5 1/3 innings with nine strikeouts and only one walk. Senga figured to only be a relief option for the Mets if he was included on their playoff roster, so he should operate as more of an opener on Saturday than a traditional starter. We wouldn't recommend using him in DFS on Saturday.
2 hours ago
Joe Musgrove To Undergo Tommy John Surgery
San Diego Padres right-hander Joe Musgrove (elbow) will undergo Tommy John surgery, according to general manager A.J. Preller. It was announced earlier on Friday that Musgrove would not be available for the National League Division Series against the division-rival Los Angeles Dodgers, but now Musgrove will miss the entire postseason and all of the 2025 season. The 31-year-old veteran was pulled from his start early on Wednesday in the Wild-Card Series against the Atlanta Braves with tightness in his right elbow, and an MRI exam on Thursday showed UCL damage. SD will hope that right-hander Yu Darvish and left-hander Martin Perez can step up behind Dylan Cease and Michael King heading into the NLDS. Musgrove had two trips to the injured list in 2024 due to elbow injuries and finished 6-5 with a 3.88 ERA, 1.17 WHIP and 101 K's in 99 2/3 frames over his 19 starts.
2 hours ago
Braves To Pick Up Options On Travis d'Arnaud, Aaron Bummer
Atlanta Braves president of baseball operations Alex Anthopoulos said that the team is planning to exercise their 2025 club options for catcher Travis d'Arnaud ($8 million) and left-handed reliever Aaron Bummer ($7.25 million). d'Arnaud saw much more playing time than expected in 2024, even when Sean Murphy was healthy. He was the better offensive backstop of the two also, hitting .238/.302/.436 with a .739 OPS, 15 home runs, 48 RBI and 40 runs scored in 99 regular-season games for Atlanta. The 35-year-old veteran should be expected to split duties at catcher with Murphy again in 2025. Bummer, 31, could be Atlanta's primary late-inning left-hander in 2025. In his first year with the Braves in 2024, he went 4-3 with a 3.58 ERA, a 1.43 WHIP and 69 strikeouts in 55 1/3 innings over his 56 appearances out of the bullpen.
9 hours ago
Braves Planning To Pick Up Marcell Ozuna's Option
Atlanta Braves president of baseball operations Alex Anthopoulos said that the team is planning to exercise their club option for the 2025 season on outfielder/designated hitter Marcell Ozuna for $16 million. It's a no-brainer decision after Ozuna made the All-Star team for the third time in his career in 2024 by hitting .302/.378/.546 with a .925 OPS, 39 home runs, 104 RBI and 96 runs scored in 688 plate appearances over a full 162-game season. It was the first time that Ozuna played in all 162 games in his career, and he's now clubbed 79 home runs and driven in 204 runs in 306 games for the Braves the last two regular seasons while slashing .289/.364/.552 with a .916 OPS. The 33-year-old was helped health-wise by the fact that he played all 162 of his games as the team's DH. Ozuna tried to pick up the slack as best he could offensively with Ronald Acuna Jr. (knee) and Austin Riley (hand) suffering injuries this year.
9 hours ago
Chris Sale Feels Great After Throwing Side Session
Atlanta Braves left-hander Chris Sale (back) threw a side session on Friday and felt great. President of baseball operations Alex Anthopoulos told Sale earlier this week that he would have been on the roster for the National League Division Series had the Braves advanced past the San Diego Padres in the Wild-Card Series. Sale had to be scratched from Game 2 of Monday's divisional doubleheader against the New York Mets and then was unavailable to pitch in either of the two games of the Wild-Card Series in San Diego on Tuesday and Wednesday. It was a disappointing end of the season for the 35-year-old veteran, who is the front-runner to win the National League Cy Young this year after going 18-3 with a 2.38 ERA, 1.01 WHIP and 225 strikeouts in 177 2/3 innings over his 29 starts in his first year with the Braves. The eight-time All-Star obviously still has lots of upside, but he's also a big injury risk at his age.
9 hours ago
Spencer Strider Not A Lock For Opening Day 2025
Atlanta Braves president of baseball operations Alex Anthopoulos said it's too early to know when right-hander Spencer Strider (elbow) will be back and said it could be as soon as Opening Day in 2025 or as late as early June, if for some reason he needed more time. Right now, there have been no setbacks for Strider or reason to think his timetable would be on the longer end. The 25-year-old had an internal-brace procedure done on his right elbow in the middle of April to fix UCL damage in his right elbow. Strider previously had Tommy John surgery on the same elbow, but the hope is that the internal-brace procedure will help him return sooner than later. Fantasy managers looking to draft Strider as their ace should have more clarity on a specific timetable once he gets deeper into his rehab this winter. Strider won a league-high 20 games for Atlanta in 2023 but started just two games in 2024.
9 hours ago
Ronald Acuna Jr. Not Guaranteed To Be Ready For Opening Day 2025
Atlanta Braves president of baseball operations Alex Anthopoulos said that it's too early to know when outfielder Ronald Acuna Jr. (knee) will be back. Anthopoulos said it could be as soon as Opening Day or as late as early June, if for some reason he needs more time. Right now, there have been no setbacks or reason to think it would be on the longer end of that timetable. Acuna tore his left ACL in 2024 and needed surgery, so he's not a lock to be ready for Opening Day next season. The 26-year-old had surgery on his knee in early June. Despite the uncertain timetable for Acuna, by draft season early next year, fantasy managers should have a bit more clarity on when Acuna might be ready to go. The four-time All-Star won the National League MVP in 2023 and led the league in runs (149), hits (217), steals (73), on-base percentage (.416), OPS (1.012) and total bases (383). He'll still be a high-end fantasy option for his upside across all categories despite coming off a major injury.
9 hours ago
Francisco Lindor Helps Keep Mets Season Alive
New York Mets shortstop Francisco Lindor came up clutch for the Mets in Game 3 of the Wild Card series against the Milwaukee Brewers on Thursday, getting on base three times and scoring a run in a 4-2 win. Lindor had a double and a single early on in this one, but his biggest plate appearance came in the ninth inning. He went down 1-2 in the count to Brewers closer Devin Williams before drawing a walk, which set the table for Pete Alonso to smash a three-run homer later in the inning. Lindor has been fantastic all season and so far has continued that in the playoffs. He and the Mets will head to Philadelphia for the NLDS against the Phillies.
20 hours ago
Jake Bauers Smacks Tiebreaking Homer In Game 3 Loss
Milwaukee Brewers first baseman Jake Bauers delivered a clutch pinch-hit solo home run in the seventh inning of Game 3 in the Wild Card series against the New York Mets on Thursday. Bauers homer put the Crew in the lead, but unfortunately they could not hold on and ended up losing 4-2. Bauers finished the postseason 2-for-6 with a homer and an RBI. He will have a good chance to make the Brewers roster out of Spring Training next year if he remains with the team, but he would likely be a platoon option at best.
20 hours ago
Sal Frelick Smacks Clutch Homer In Game 3 Loss
Milwaukee Brewers outfielder Sal Frelick came up clutch in Game 3 of the Wild Card series against the New York Mets, smashing a seventh-inning solo home run to give the Crew a 2-0 lead. Unfortunately for Frelick and the Brewers, they would end up blowing the game in the ninth inning and losing 4-2. The 24-year-old had a solid postseason, going 4-for-11 (.363) with a homer, a double, two runs scored, and one RBI. He will have a chance to earn an everyday role with the Brewers next season, although it may be difficult with Christian Yelich returning and Jackson Chourio solidified into a spot.
20 hours ago
Edwin Diaz Used Early In Game 3, Picks Up Win
New York Mets closer Edwin Diaz picked up his first win of the postseason on Thursday, tossing 1 innings against the Milwaukee Brewers in Game 3 of their Wild Card series. Diaz came in after Jose Butto gave up back-to-back homers and put the Mets down 2-0. He got the next five outs and set the stage for a big comeback in the top of the ninth. Diaz did end up throwing 39 pitches in this one, so his availability for Game 1 of the NLDS on Saturday against the Philadelphia Phillies could be up in the air. It is the postseason though, so if Diaz is needed, he will probably be ready to go.
20 hours ago
David Peterson Nails Down First Career Save In Important Moment
New York Mets left-handed pitcher David Peterson finished off the Milwaukee Brewers on Thursday, picking up the first save of his career in a 4-2 win in Game 3 of their Wild-Card series. Peterson was tasked with facing the bottom of the Brewers lineup, which included two lefties. After giving up a leadoff single, Peterson induced a strikeout and a double play to finish off the series. It was a gutsy inning for the lefty, who could be in line for a multi-inning role out of the bullpen in the NLDS or could end up making a start. Any way you slice it, Peterson is a terrific weapon to have for the Mets.
20 hours ago
Pete Alonso Leads Mets To NLDS
New York Mets first baseman Pete Alonso came up huge on Thursday, belting a three-run homer off Devin Williams in the top of the ninth to lead the Mets to a 4-2 win in Game 3 of their Wild Card series. The homer was Alonso's only hit on the day, but he won't care about that. The Polar Bear finishes the Wild Card series 2-for-9 with a homer, three walks, and three RBI, but more importantly, he will leave with the biggest moment of the postseason so far. Alonso and the Mets will now head to Philadelphia to take on the Phillies in the NLDS.
20 hours ago
Devin Williams Melts Down In Rubber Match
Milwaukee Brewers closer Devin Williams had a disastrous appearance on Thursday, blowing the save and taking the loss in a 4-2 defeat against the New York Mets in Game 3 of their Wild Card series. Williams allowed four runs on three hits and a walk in just two-thirds of an inning. The Airbender has been nails since his mid-season return from injury, but he came up short at the worst possible time for the Crew, who will head home for the offseason. Williams should be back in 2025 as the Brewers' closer, but it will be tough for him to forget this one.
20 hours ago
Tylor Megill Likely To Start Game 1
New York Mets starting pitcher Tylor Megill appears to be the leading candidate to start Game 1 of the ALDS against the Philadelphia Phillies on Saturday. Nothing has been set in stone, but Luis Severino, Sean Manaea, David Peterson, and Jose Quintana all pitching in the Wild Card round, Megill is the only Met on the active roster that will be fully rested. Kodai Senga could technically return as well, but he would likely pitch out of the bullpen. Megill would have a tough matchup against Zack Wheeler if he does get the nod, but he pitched well against the Phillies in a September start and has the stuff to do it again.
20 hours ago
Mets Discussing Possibility Of Adding Kodai Senga To Playoff Roster
New York Mets starting pitcher Kodai Senga (calf, triceps) has a chance to be added to the postseason roster for the NLDS. The Mets will take on the Philadelphia Phillies in a best-of-five series, and the team is discussing whether they should make him available to pitch. Senga threw batting practice on Monday and is progressing well according to the team. The 31-year-old has battled injuries all season and has only made one start with the big league club. If he is added to the roster, he will likely be on a pitch count and could be used out of the bullpen.
20 hours ago
Freddie Freeman Doesn't Play Defense In Simulated Game
Los Angeles Dodgers first baseman Freddie Freeman (ankle) hit during the team's simulated game on Thursday, but he didn't play first base. Freeman was injured last week against the San Diego Padres and was held out of the final series against the Colorado Rockies as a precaution. It has helped that the Dodgers had a first-round bye in the playoffs, and Freeman is expected to be ready to roll for Game 1 of the National League Division Series on Saturday against the Padres. With Shohei Ohtani locked into designated hitter duties for the Dodgers, this could present some issues for LA if Freeman isn't feeling good enough to play first base. Max Muncy played first base during the sim game, with Enrique Hernandez at third base. The 35-year-old Freeman, an eight-time All-Star, hit .282/.378/.476 with an .854 OPS, 22 homers, 89 RBI and nine steals in 147 games in 2024. Not having him available for the NLDS would be a big blow to the Dodgers to start the postseason.
Yesterday
Dodgers Swapping Jack Flaherty, Yoshinobu Yamamoto For First Two Games Of NLDS
The Los Angeles Dodgers originally announced right-hander Jack Flaherty for Game 1 of the National League Division Series on Saturday at Dodger Stadium against the division-rival San Diego Padres, with right-hander Yoshinobu Yamamoto going in Game 2 on Sunday. However, they have swapped the order, with Yamamoto now going in the series opener on Saturday and Flaherty taking Game 2 on Sunday. If the series goes the distance, it would allow Yamamoto to pitch in the decisive Game 5 on five days of rest. Yamamoto did miss some time due to injury in his rookie season, but he was solid when available with a 7-2 record, 3.00 ERA, 1.11 WHIP and 105 K's in 90 innings over 18 starts. He allowed eight earned runs in six innings in his two starts versus the Padres. Flaherty had a nice bounce-back season in 2024 with the Tigers and Dodgers, including the seventh-best strikeout rate (29.9%), but he wasn't as sharp towards the end of the year, perhaps influencing this decision.
Yesterday
Yoshinobu Yamamoto To Pitch In Game 2 Against Padres
Los Angeles Dodgers right-hander Yoshinobu Yamamoto is lined up to start Game 2 of the National League Division Series on Sunday against the division-rival San Diego Padres at Dodger Stadium. He will be opposed by fellow Japanese hurler Yu Darvish. Right-hander Jack Flaherty will kick off the series for LA on Saturday. The Dodgers will be hoping Yamamoto can fare better than he did against the Friars earlier this season, when he allowed a combined eight earned runs while striking out eight and walking two in six innings pitched over two starts. The 26-year-old was solid in his first 18 starts in the big leagues in 2024, though, going 7-2 with a 3.00 ERA, 1.11 WHIP and 105 strikeouts in 90 innings pitched. Yoshinobu missed most of the summer due to injury but returned on Sept. 10 and had a 3.38 ERA with 21 strikeouts and five walks in his four starts down the stretch in September.
Yesterday
