MLB Player News

Pederson (hand) took some swings in the batting cage Friday and is scheduled to face teammate Jack Leiter (ankle/biceps) in live batting practice this weekend, Shawn McFarland of The Dallas Morning News reports.

A small fracture in Pederson's left hand ended the 34-year-old's regular season, but it sounds like he's expecting to play Tuesday -- that is, if the Rangers are able to punch their ticket to the playoffs. Pederson put together a resurgent campaign with an .816 OPS and 26 homers after posting a .613 OPS with nine homers in 2025.

Gasper will likely miss the AL Wild Card Series against the Yankees after suffering a biceps injury during the first game of Friday's doubleheader against the Cubs, Christopher Smith of MassLive.com reports.

The results of Gasper's MRI have not been disclosed, but it sounds like the Red Sox are preparing to be without him for at least the first round of the playoffs. Gasper was injured on a swinging strikeout in the fifth inning of Friday's matinee. Manager Chad Tracy said afterward that Gasper was in "some pretty good discomfort."

Red Sox manager Chad Tracy said after the first game of Friday's doubleheader against the Cubs that Gasper (biceps) will undergo an MRI, Gabrielle Starr of the Boston Herald reports.

Gasper was forced from the matinee with right biceps discomfort, and the team has ordered imaging to get a better read on his condition. The Red Sox are already facing the possibility of being without Willson Contreras (hand) in the wild-card round, and if both Contreras and Gasper are unavailable, Nick Sogard may be needed at first base.

Gasper was removed from the first game of Friday's doubleheader against the Cubs due to right biceps discomfort, Ian Browne of MLB.com reports.

Gasper has been a surprisingly productive player for Boston this season, slashing .251/.357/.466 with 10 homers in 67 games, but his availability for the rest of the weekend is up in the air in light of this injury. If healthy, Gasper figures to factor in heavily during the wild-card round, especially if Willson Contreras (hand) remains out.

Gasper was removed from the first game of Friday's doubleheader versus the Cubs after the fifth inning due to an undisclosed injury, Tim Healey of The Boston Globe reports.

Gasper appeared to tweak something while striking out swinging in the bottom of the fifth inning, and he was removed from the contest when the Red Sox took the field for the top of the sixth. The club should have more information on Gasper's condition soon. He struck out in all three plate appearances Friday before departing.

Perez went 1-for-3 with a solo homer, a walk and a strikeout during Thursday's 9-1 loss to the White Sox.

Perez launched his first homer since Sept. 6 against Toronto on Thursday against the White Sox. The 36-year-old took David Sandlin deep in the fourth inning to put the Royals on the board. This year, Perez has slashed .228/.272/.378 with 20 homers and 75 RBI in 615 plate appearances.

Rice went 3-for-4 with a pair of solo home runs in Wednesday's 9-2 win over Tampa Bay.

Rice led off the game with a 379-foot blast off Mason Englert, his 40th homer this season, before adding his 41st in the fourth, tying Yordan Alvarez and Junior Caminero for the AL lead. Overall, the 27-year-old Rice is slashing .263/.362/.537 with 97 RBI, 103 runs scored and three steals across 654 plate appearances in a breakout campaign.

Springer is not in the starting lineup for the second game of Wednesday's doubleheader against the Orioles.

Toronto was eliminated from postseason contention with a loss in the first game of the day, so naturally veterans Springer and Vladimir Guerrero are sitting for the nightcap. Springer is closing out a disappointing age-36 season after a resurgent 2025.

Stanton (calf) is taking live batting practice at Double-A Somerset with the possibility of being available in some capacity for next week's AL Wild Card Series, David Lennon of Newsday reports.

Stanton will close the regular season on the 60-day injured list after straining his left calf in August while rehabbing a right calf strain. Despite the ongoing injury issues, it sounds like Stanton could serve as the designated hitter or perhaps as a bench bat during the first round of the playoffs. Aaron Judge (calf) is not expected to be ready for the wild-card round.

Diaz is not in the starting lineup for Wednesday's game against the Yankees, Ryan Bass of Rays.tv reports.

The Rays are starting most of their regulars, Diaz notwithstanding, even after clinching the division and home-field advantage through the ALCS with a win in the second game of Tuesday's doubleheader. Victor Mesa will get a turn in the leadoff spot as Jonathan Aranda starts at DH and Ryan Vilade mans first base against right-hander Gerrit Cole.