MLB Player News
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Otto Kemp 3B | PHI
Phillies' Otto Kemp: Set for two sugeries
Kemp will undergo surgery this offseason to repair a fracture in his left knee cap and an additional operation to clean out damage to his left shoulder, Matt Gelb of The Athletic reports.
Kemp chipped a piece of bone when he fouled a ball off his knee cap June 17, but he missed only one game and then played though the injury for the remainder of the season. He also evidently played with a shoulder issue, though it's unclear when he first injured it. Kemp slashed .234/.298/.411 with eight homers and two steals over 62 games in the majors in 2025 and posted a .987 OPS with 16 home runs and 13 stolen bases at Triple-A Lehigh Valley. It's not clear when the surgeries will occur, nor is known how long his rehab will take. The Phillies appear to view the 26-year-old as more than just a bench player, though it's uncertain where exactly he fits into the team's 2026 plans. Kemp made starts at third base, first base, second base and left field for the Phillies this season.
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Jordan Lawlar SS | ARI
Diamondbacks' Jordan Lawlar: Heading to winter ball
Lawlar will play winter ball in the Dominican Republic, Steve Gilbert of MLB.com reports.
The Diamondbacks need to find a home for Lawlar, who was drafted as a shortstop but is blocked at the position by Geraldo Perdomo, and the plan is to use him at a couple of positions in the DR. During his late-season call-up, Lawlar played third base, but shaky mechanics and footwork led to him being primarily a DH. In winter ball, he's expected to get regular reps at third base and in center field.
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Max Muncy 3B | LAD
Dodgers' Max Muncy: Out of lineup versus left-hander
Muncy is not in the lineup Thursday for Game 4 of the NLDS against the Phillies, Jack Harris of the Los Angeles Times reports.
It's left-hander Cristopher Sanchez on the bump for the Phillies, so the left-handed-swinging Muncy will begin the contest on the bench. Muncy has entered mid-game the first two times the Dodgers faced a lefty this series, and he's a good bet to do so again in Game 4. Enrique Hernandez will start at third base Thursday.
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Otto Kemp 3B | PHI
Phillies' Otto Kemp: Drawing start in left field
Kemp will start in left field and bat ninth Monday in Game 2 of the NLDS versus the Dodgers.
With Harrison Bader (groin) out of the lineup, Brandon Marsh will shift to center field and Kemp will enter the fray in left field. It will be the postseason debut for Kemp, who slashed .234/.298/.411 with eight home runs in 62 regular-season contests for the Phillies.
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Max Muncy 3B | LAD
Dodgers' Max Muncy: Sitting against Luzardo
Muncy is absent from the lineup Monday for Game 2 of the NLDS against the Phillies.
With the Phillies sending left-hander Jesus Luzardo to the bump, the left-handed-hitting Muncy will begin the contest on the bench. Miguel Rojas will start at third base and bat seventh for the Dodgers. There's a good chance Muncy will enter Game 2 at some point when/if the Phillies turn to a righty.
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Enrique Hernandez 3B | LAD
Dodgers' Enrique Hernandez: Drawing start in left field
Hernandez will start in left field and bat eighth Tuesday in Game 1 of the National League Wild Card Series versus the Reds.
Michael Conforto was not included on the Dodgers' wild-card roster, and it's Hernandez who will get the first opportunity in left field against Hunter Greene and the Reds. Hernandez posted a .975 OPS with two home runs over his final eight regular-season contests and is a career .278/.353/.522 with 15 homers in 86 playoff games.
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Nolan Arenado 3B | STL
Cardinals' Nolan Arenado: Will not be released
Cardinals president of baseball operations Chaim Bloom said Tuesday that releasing Arenado is "not an option," Jeff Jones of the Belleville News-Democrat reports.
The Cardinals will do their best to trade Arenado this offseason, and Arenado has said he's willing to expand the list of teams to which he would approve a deal. However, if the club is unable to find a trade partner, it will hang on to Arenado as its starting third baseman. Arenado -- who turns 35 in April -- slashed just .237/.289/.377 with 12 home runs over 436 plate appearances in 2025 and is owed roughly $40 million over the next two seasons.
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Max Muncy 3B | LAD
Dodgers' Max Muncy: Available for Game 1
Muncy (lower body) will be available for Game 1 of the National League Wild Card Series against the Reds on Tuesday, Fabian Ardaya of The Athletic reports.
Muncy has been trending in the right direction over the last few days after being held out at the end of the regular season due to lower-body soreness, and Ardaya notes that he'll get a few more swings in Monday evening during a live BP session. Assuming he's able to avoid any kind of last-minute setback, expect Muncy to be in the starting nine for Tuesday's matchup.
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Matt Chapman 3B | SF
Giants' Matt Chapman: Doubles in season finale
Chapman went 1-for-4 with a double in Sunday's 4-0 win over the Rockies.
Chapman lined a double to left field in the fourth inning, marking his 23rd two-bagger of the 2025 campaign. The third baseman took a slight step back in his second season with San Francisco, during which he missed significant time due to a sprained right hand. Over 128 regular-season games, the 32-year-old slashed .231/.340/.430 with 76 runs scored, 61 RBI, 21 home runs and nine stolen bases across 535 plate appearances.
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Manny Machado 3B | SD
Padres' Manny Machado: Homers in Sunday's win
Machado went 2-for-2 with a solo home run, a second RBI and two total runs scored in Sunday's 12-4 win over the Diamondbacks.
Machado was done after three innings with the Padres leading 6-2 at the time. That was likely to afford him some extra rest ahead of the playoffs. The third baseman went 14-for-46 (.304) with four homers and 11 RBI over his last 12 games of the regular season. Overall, he posted a .275/.335/.460 slash line with 27 homers, 95 RBI, 91 runs scored, 14 stolen bases and 33 doubles across 159 games, numbers largely in line with his performances in 2023 and 2024.