MLB Player News

Muncy (elbow) is unlikely to be ready to return to action during the NLCS, Juan Toribio of MLB.com reports.

This doesn't come as a significant surprise since Muncy had yet to take part in any baseball activities as of Tuesday. While manager Dave Roberts said he's holding out hope the 31-year-old could be ready soon, Cody Bellinger, Albert Pujols and Matt Beaty appear to be in line to handle the bulk of the duties at first base during the NLCS.

Manager Dave Roberts said Tuesday that Muncy hasn't taken part in any baseball activities since suffering the elbow injury, Jorge Castillo of the Los Angeles Times reports.

Roberts wouldn't officially rule out the first baseman for the NLCS should the Dodgers advance, but given that series would begin Saturday, it's safe to say Muncy won't be taking the field for that matchup. Cody Bellinger, Albert Pujols and Matt Beaty should continue filling in at first base for Los Angeles.

Escobar is not in the lineup for Game 4 of the NLDS on Tuesday against Atlanta.

His defensive versatility makes Escobar a prime candidate to be the first player to enter the game off the bench for Milwaukee. Luis Urias will start at third base while Rowdy Tellez starts at first base.

Escobar is out of the lineup Monday for Game 3 of Milwaukee's NLDS matchup with Atlanta, Adam McCalvy of MLB.com reports.

He'll cede his spot at third base to Luis Urias, whom manager Craig Counsell mentioned is swinging the bat well of late while displaying improved range in the field, per McCalvy. Escobar, meanwhile, has gone 1-for-7 with four strikeouts through the first two contests of the series, a disappointing development for the Brewers after the veteran closed the regular season with doubles in each of his final four games.

Riley went 2-for-4 with a solo home run in Saturday's victory over the Brewers in Game 2 of the NLDS.

The 24-year-old took Brandon Woodruff deep in the sixth inning to expand the Braves' lead to 3-0. The homer was his first of the postseason after he posted a career-high 33 long balls in the regular season. Riley is off to a hot start in the series, going 3-for-8 in the two contests.

Vargas was outrighted to Triple-A Reno on Thursday.

Vargas spent time with the Diamondbacks, Cubs and Pirates during the 2021 campaign and hit .156 with four extra-base hits, seven runs, seven RBI and a stolen base in 34 appearances. The 30-year-old will lose his spot on the 40-man roster, and whether he remains in the organization next year remains to be seen.

Hayes (wrist) met with one hand specialist Monday and expects to meet with a second one when he returns homes to Texas, DK Pittsburgh Sports reports.

The rookie played through a cyst on his left hand that likely contributed to recurring wrist and hand soreness. General manager Ben Cherington believes that Hayes will be 100 percent healthy before spring training. "Every piece of information we have right now leads to us being very optimistic his recovery, about this not being something that gets in the way of an offseason, certainly not into spring training or next year," the general manager noted. Hayes slashed .257/.316/.373 with six homers and nine stolen bases in 396 plate appearances.

Manager Dave Roberts said Tuesday that Muncy didn't suffer a UCL tear and won't require surgery on his left elbow, and there's a "glimmer of hope" he'll be able to play later in the playoffs, should the Dodgers advance, Bill Plunkett of The Orange County Register reports.

Muncy can be ruled out for the NL Wild Card Game on Wednesday, and it's also safe to say he'll be unavailable for the NLDS should Los Angeles beat St. Louis. It sounds like the 31-year-old has avoided a serious injury, but that doesn't necessarily mean he'll be able to return during the playoffs. Albert Pujols, Cody Bellinger and Matt Beaty will all be in the mix at first base for the Dodgers going forward.

Davis underwent surgery to repair a torn ligament in his left hand Tuesday, Justin Toscano of The Bergen Record reports.

Davis appeared in just 73 games this season while battling injuries. He looked good as usual at the plate when healthy, hitting .285/.384/.436, though that came with a 32.2 percent strikeout rate and an unsustainable .426 BABIP. He'll hope that better health cancels out the inevitable regression next season.

Duffy went 2-for-3 with two RBI in Sunday's win over the Cardinals.

Duffy punctuated a strong finish to the season with a two-hit effort in the finale, and he'll now carry a 13-game hitting streak into next year. The end-of-season flourish pushed the 30-year-old's batting average to .287. If Duffy returns to the Cubs in 2022, he'll likely fill a utility infielder role off the bench, though he's shown a consistent ability to get hits when he plays regularly.