MLB Player News

  • Dodgers' Freddie Freeman: Exits early Sunday

    Freeman (undisclosed) exited Sunday's game against the Padres in the sixth inning, Alden Gonzalez of ESPN.com reports.

    Freeman was able to return to the lineup Saturday after missing the final three games of the regular season with a right ankle injury. It's unclear if that is why he left Sunday's matchup early, but his night came to a close after he went 0-for-2 with a strikeout at the plate. Enrique Hernandez entered the lineup at third base, batting fourth, while Max Muncy shifted over to first base.

  • Dodgers' Freddie Freeman: Will start in Game 1 of NLDS

    Freeman (ankle) is batting third and playing first base Saturday in Game 1 of the National League Division Series against the Padres.

    Freeman told reporters Friday that he'd be in the lineup for Game 1, but Dodgers manager Dave Roberts expressed uncertainty about that happening early Saturday. The situation seemed to be touch-and-go throughout the afternoon, as third baseman Max Muncy was spotted warming up with a first baseman's mitt and Freeman told reporters following his pregame routine that he wished he "had an answer" about whether he'd play, per Jack Harris of the Los Angeles Times. It appears that Freeman will ultimately try to push through the injury, though he'll almost certainly be less than 100 percent and will probably be limited in what he can do on the basepaths.

  • Dodgers' Freddie Freeman: Status for Game 1 uncertain

    Freeman (ankle) isn't certain to play in Game 1 of the NLDS, and manager Dave Roberts said Saturday that he is "not as hopeful" about the first baseman's status as he was Friday, Bill Shaikin of the Los Angeles Times reports.

    Freeman told reporters Friday that he intends to play in the first game of the Division Series, but Roberts' comments one day later suggest that such a scenario is far from certain. It's not clear if Freeman has suffered a setback or if he was being overly optimistic when he said he expected to play, and it's worth noting that the severity of his sprain --- which he suffered just over a week ago -- typically has a recovery period of 4-to-6 weeks. Freeman is on the Dodgers' NLDS roster, but if he's unable to play Saturday, Enrique Hernandez could get the start at first base.

  • 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.

  • 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.

  • 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.

  • 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.

  • Jake Bauers RF | 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.

  • 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.

  • Jake Bauers RF | 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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