MLB Player News
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Freddie Freeman 1B | LAD
Dodgers' Freddie Freeman: Intends to play in Game 1
Freeman (ankle) told reporters Friday that he will play in Game 1 of the NLDS against the Padres, Bill Plunkett of The Orange County Register reports.
Freeman sprained his ankle against the Padres on Sept. 26, which cost him the last three games of the regular season. While he was told that the severity of the sprain typically takes 4-to-6 weeks of recovery, Freeman relayed that he would "try and do it in a week." The veteran first baseman went through defensive drills and ran the bases Friday, and while he didn't look 100 percent, he appears determined to play at first base in Game 1 of the NLDS. Designated hitter isn't an option with likely NL MVP Shohei Ohtani locked into that spot.
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Anthony Rizzo 1B | NYY
Yankees' Anthony Rizzo: Not part of ALDS roster
Rizzo (fingers) said he will not be included on the Yankees' ALDS roster for the team's matchup with the Royals, Bryan Hoch of MLB.com reports.
Two of Rizzo's fingers on his right hand were fractured after he was hit by a pitch in the penultimate game of the regular season, and he has yet to resume baseball activities, per Bryan Hoch of MLB.com. RIzzo admitted Friday that he hadn't progressed far enough in his recovery to contribute at a high level, though he did express optimism that he could return should the Yankees make it to the ALCS, according to Meredith Marakovits of YES Network. Ben Rice and Oswaldo Cabrera will likely serve as the Yankees' main options at first base in the ALDS.
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Freddie Freeman 1B | LAD
Dodgers' Freddie Freeman: Expected to be in lineup
Manager Dave Roberts told reporters Friday that Freeman (ankle) will undergo a full workout and is expected to be in the lineup for Game 1 of the NLDS against the Padres, Mike DiGiovanna of the Los Angeles Times reports.
Freeman will run the bases and take part in defensive drills Friday, and while Roberts expects the first baseman to be in the lineup for Game 1, a decision won't be made until Saturday, per Fabian Ardaya of The Athletic. If Freeman is unable to go for Game 1, he should be available to pinch hit off the bench while Max Muncy or Enrique Hernandez start at first base, per Jack Harris of the Los Angeles Times. Freeman missed the last three games of the regular season after rolling his ankle against the Padres on Sept. 26. The 35-year-old finished the regular season having slashed .282/.378/.476 with 22 home runs and 89 RBI across 638 plate appearances.
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Freddie Freeman 1B | LAD
Dodgers' Freddie Freeman: Hitting only in scrimmage
Freeman (ankle) was able to bat during Thursday's intra-squad scrimmage but not play first base, Bill Plunkett of The Orange County Register reports.
It was a positive sign that Freeman took part in baseball activity, though this cast the first doubt about whether he'd be ready for the NLDS. That's particularly true with Shohei Ohtani locked into the DH spot. Max Muncy was playing first base, with Enrique Hernandez at the hot corner in Freeman's absence.
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Jake Bauers 1B | MIL
Brewers' Jake Bauers: Not in Game 3 lineup
Bauers is absent from the lineup Thursday for Game 3 of the National League Wild Card Series versus the Mets.
It's southpaw Jose Quintana on the bump for the Mets, so the left-handed hitting Bauers will yield to Gary Sanchez for the second straight day. William Contreras is receiving a turn at designated hitter while Sanchez works behind the plate. Bauers will be a candidate to come off the bench once the Mets turn to a right-handed reliever.
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Anthony Rizzo 1B | NYY
Yankees' Anthony Rizzo: Yet to resume baseball activities
Yankees general manager Brian Cashman said Thursday that Rizzo (fingers) has yet to resume baseball activities, Bryan Hoch of MLB.com reports.
Rizzo suffered two fractured fingers on his right hand when he was hit by a pitch in the penultimate game of the regular season. He remains a longshot to be included on the ALDS roster, but the ALCS would seemingly be more realistic if the Yankees are able to advance. Ben Rice and Oswaldo Cabrera are in line to handle first base for the ALDS.
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Jake Bauers 1B | MIL
Brewers' Jake Bauers: Idle for Game 2
Bauers isn't in the Brewers' lineup Wednesday for the second game of the National League Wild Card Series versus the Mets.
The lefty-hitting Bauers will watch Wednesday's contest from the dugout with southpaw Sean Manaea set to toe the slab for New York. Gary Sanchez will serve as Milwaukee's DH and bat fifth.
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Freddie Freeman 1B | LAD
Dodgers' Freddie Freeman: Will face live pitching this week
Dodgers general manager Brandon Gomes said Wednesday that Freeman (ankle) is expected to face live pitching at some point during the team's workouts this week, Bill Plunkett of The Orange County Register reports.
Freeman missed the final three games of the regular season with a right ankle injury, but he is fully expected to be ready for Game 1 of the NLDS on Saturday. The Dodgers have not had Max Muncy work out at first base this week, further suggesting they don't anticipate Freeman's readiness being in question.
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Jonathan Singleton 1B | HOU
Astros' Jon Singleton: Absent from Game 2 lineup
Singleton is not in the lineup Wednesday for Game 2 of the American League Wild Card Series versus the Tigers, Chandler Rome of The Athletic reports.
Lefty Tyler Holton is opening for the Tigers, with righty Reese Olson seen as likely to cover multiple innings in relief. Singleton could enter mid-game when a righty is in there, but the Astros will go with the switch-hitting Victor Caratini again at first base to begin the contest.
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Ryan O'Hearn 1B | BAL
Orioles' Ryan O'Hearn: Sitting vs. lefty in Game 1
O'Hearn is out of the lineup for Game 1 of the American League Wild Card Series against the Royals on Tuesday, Roch Kubatko of MASNSports.com reports.
The 31-year-old finished the regular season on a tear -- he hit .382 with three doubles and two homers over the final 11 games -- but he'll begin the playoffs on the bench with southpaw Cole Ragans taking the mound for Kansas City. O'Hearn is a strong candidate to appear as a pinch hitter and should be back in the lineup for Game 2 against Royals righty Seth Lugo.