MLB Player News

Tellez sits as expected for Game 2 of the AL Wild Card Series against the Rays on Wednesday.

Tellez was able to return from a knee strain faster than expected and make the Wild Card Series roster, though he's not recovered enough to start. He was able to appear off the bench in Game 1, however, grabbing a hit and scoring Toronto's lone run, so a pinch-hit appearance is certainly possible again in Game 2.

Lowe is out of the lineup Wednesday for Game 2 of the Rays' wild-card series with the Blue Jays, Juan Toribio of MLB.com reports.

After finishing the regular season as the Rays' primary option at first base, Lowe started at the position Tuesday in Game 1, going 0-for-3 with two strikeouts. With a southpaw (Hyun-Jin Ryu) on the mound for Toronto in Game 2, the lefty-hitting Lowe will cede his spot in the lineup to Mike Brosseau. Lowe won't necessarily be a lock to make regular starts against right-handed pitching during the postseason, however, as the Rays recently welcomed back another challenger for strong-side platoon duties at first base in Ji-Man Choi (hamstring).

Diaz (hamstring) will start at third base and will bat cleanup Wednesday in Game 2 of the Rays' wild-card series with the Blue Jays, Juan Toribio of MLB.com reports.

Diaz will pick up his first start since Aug. 31, as he was sidelined for much of the past month with a right hamstring strain before he was activated from the 10-day injured list ahead of Tuesday's postseason opener. Though he went unused in the Rays' 3-1 win, Diaz is expected to be a regular in the Rays' lineup during the team's postseason run so long as his hamstring holds up.

Kirilloff is starting in right field and batting sixth Wednesday in Game 2 against the Astros.

The Twins aren't messing around, turning to their No. 2 overall prospect to make his MLB debut during the first round of the playoffs. Including the Southern League playoffs, Kirilloff hit .309/.352/.480 with 11 home runs and a 15.9 K% over his final 60 games in 2019 and reportedly impressed in spring training and this summer at the alternate training site. He bats left-handed, which was likely a key consideration in him getting the start against righty Jose Urquidy.

Naylor went 4-for-4 with a solo homer and an additional run scored in Tuesday's loss to the Yankees in Game 1 of the Wild Card Round.

Naylor hit a solo homer in the fourth inning and was the only Indians player to really give Gerrit Cole trouble as he recorded four hits. The 23-year-old slashed .247/.291/.330 throughout the 2020 regular season and will look to contribute Wednesday in Game 2.

Tellez is on the wild-card roster after his knee injury improved faster than expected, but he's expected to be limited to pinch-hit or designated hitter duty, Arden Zwelling of Sportsnet.ca reports.

Tellez will fill the former role in Game 1, but it's apparently not out of the question that he starts at some point this series. Alejandro Kirk will be the designated hitter Tuesday against the Rays.

Gurriel signed a one-year, $6.5 million extension with the Astros on Tuesday, Bob Nightengale of USA Today reports.

The contract keeps the 36-year-old with the only major-league organization he's ever known for at least one more season. The contract contains a team option for a second season at $8 million, as well as a $500,000 buyout on that option. That buyout will likely be exercised if Gurriel can't improve upon his .232/.274/.384 slash line from this season.

Tellez will sit for the first game of the AL Wild Card Round against the Rays on Tuesday.

Tellez is evidently far enough along in his recovery from a knee strain that he was able to make the postseason roster but not far enough along that he'll be able to start the first game of the series, though it's worth noting the Rays are starting lefty Blake Snell in Game 1. Whether or not Tellez is able to start future games remains to be seen. Alejandro Kirk will be the designated hitter Tuesday.

The Twins selected Kirilloff's contract Tuesday ahead of Game 1 of the team's wild-card series with the Astros.

Minnesota designated pitcher Sean Poppen for assignment to clear room on the 40-man roster and the active roster for Kirilloff, one of the organization's top prospects. He'll be on the bench for Game 1, but Kirilloff could get the chance to make his first MLB start at some point during the postseason if any members of the Twins' regular outfield (Max Kepler, Byron Buxton and Eddie Rosario) are forced to miss time.

Diaz is not in the lineup for Game 1 of the Wild Card Round against the Blue Jays on Tuesday, Juan Toribio of MLB.com reports.

Diaz made the postseason roster despite missing all of September with a hamstring issue. It's not clear whether the injury is still lingering and forcing him into a bench role or if the Rays simply prefer Joey Wendle at third base against righties like White Sox starter Lucas Giolito.