MLB Player News

Martinez will not opt out of the remaining two years on his contract with the Red Sox, Jon Heyman of MLB Network reports.

This seemed like a forgone conclusion, especially with Martinez coming off a down year. He is due $38.75 million over the next two years. The designated hitter, who turned 33 in August, slashed .213/.291/.389 with seven home runs in 54 games this season.

Turner was removed from Game 6 of the World Series against the Rays on Tuesday due to a positive test for COVID-19, per the FOX telecast.

The news comes as the Dodgers celebrate their first World Series title since 1988, putting the finishing touches on a roller-coaster 2020 season. Turner started at third base and went 0-for-3 with two strikeouts before being replaced in the field for the start of the eighth inning for what was a previously-unknown reason. The win by Los Angeles helps MLB avoid some serious logistical problems regarding a potential Game 7.

Pederson will be on the bench for Game 6 of the World Series against the Rays on Tuesday, Bill Shaikin of the Los Angeles Times reports.

As usual, Pederson hits the bench with a lefty (Blake Snell) starting for the opposition. A.J. Pollock will be the left fielder Tuesday, with Will Smith serving as the designated hitter and Austin Barnes catching.

Pederson went 1-for-2 with a solo home run Sunday in the Dodgers' 4-2 win over the Rays in Game 5 of the World Series.

Pederson turned in a big weekend as the Dodgers pushed their series lead to 3-2, going 4-for-7 with three RBI and two runs between Games 3 through 5. He was nearly the hero of Saturday's Game 4 after providing a go-ahead, two-run single in the top of the seventh, but the lead changed two more times before the Rays walked off the Dodgers in the bottom of the ninth. Despite coming through Sunday with his second home run of the postseason, the lefty-hitting Pederson will likely head to the bench Tuesday in Game 6 with southpaw Blake Snell on the bump for Tampa Bay.

Choi is out of the lineup Sunday for Game 5 of the World Series versus the Dodgers, Marc Topkin of the Tampa Bay Times reports.

For the second straight day, the lefty-hitting Choi heads to the bench with the Dodgers bringing another southpaw starter (Clayton Kershaw) to the hill. Yandy Diaz will serve as the Rays' first baseman.

Pederson will be on the bench for Game 4 of the World Series against the Rays on Saturday.

The Rays will be starting left-hander Ryan Yarbrough, so Pederson will head to the bench as usual. Chris Taylor will move out to left field, with Enrique Hernandez starting at second base and A.J. Pollock serving as the designated hitter.

Choi will sit for Game 4 of the World Series against the Dodgers on Saturday, Juan Toribio of MLB.com reports.

The Rays will load up on righties with southpaw Julio Urias on the mound, just as they did in Game 1 against Clayton Kershaw. Yandy Diaz gets the start at first base in Choi's absence.

Turner went 2-for-5 with one home run, one double, one RBI and two runs scored in Game 3 of the World Series on Friday against the Rays.

Turner provided the Dodgers with a lead they never relinquished, smacking a solo home run in the opening inning. He also played a key role in the team's rally in the third frame, doubling and also coming around to score. Turner hasn't hit particularly well throughout the playoffs, though he has an extra-base hit in each of the first three games in the World Series.

Pederson is out of the lineup Wednesday for Game 2 of the Dodgers' World Series matchup with the Rays, Bill Plunkett of The Orange County Register reports.

As per usual, the lefty-hitting Pederson will take a seat with a southpaw (Blake Snell) on the mound for the opposition. Enrique Hernandez enters the lineup in his stead, batting eighth and manning second base, while Chris Taylor shifts to Pederson's usual post in left field. Pederson struck out in both of his at-bats Tuesday in the Dodgers' 8-3 win in Game 1.

Choi will sit for Game 1 of the World Series against the Dodgers on Tuesday, Neil Solondz of the Rays Radio Network reports.

The Rays' smart usage of platoons has gotten them this far, and they won't change plans now. Yandy Diaz starts over Choi at first base with the left-handed Clayton Kershaw on the mound for the Dodgers.