MLB Player News

Garver (ribs) is batting fifth and will serve as Texas' designated hitter against Arizona in Game 1 of the World Series.

Garver had to make an early exit from Game 7 of the ALCS after taking a fastball to the ribs, but he managed to escape without any serious injuries and will now return to the lineup to begin the Fall Classic. Garver has been a key piece to the Rangers' offensive success throughout the postseason, slashing .294/.368/.529 with two homers and 11 RBI.

Garver (ribs) did not suffer any fractures when he was hit by a pitch Monday in Game 7 of the ALCS, Levi Weaver of The Athletic reports.

Garver took a Bryan Abreu fastball to the ribs in the top of the sixth inning and was removed from the game before his next at-bat, but he has avoided a serious injury and could be ready for Game 1 of the World Series on Friday. The 32-year-old has posted an .898 OPS with two homers, two doubles and 11 RBI through nine games this postseason while serving as the Rangers' designated hitter.

Pham will start at designated hitter and bat fifth Monday in Game 6 of the NLCS in Philadelphia, Alex Weiner of ArizonaSports.com reports.

Pham was removed for a pinch runner in Game 3 and for a pinch hitter in Game 4 before not starting Game 5. He'll get another shot to start Game 6 as the Diamondbacks attempt to stave off elimination. Pham is just 1-for-13 with six strikeouts so far during the NLCS.

Garver went 3-for-4 with a double and a home run, tallying two runs and two RBI in Sunday's 9-2 win over the Astros in Game 6 of the ALCS.

Garver had a key home run in the second inning that tied the game. He later added an RBI double in the eighth. The designated hitter had been struggling to get things going at the plate against Houston in this series, going 2-for-17 in his last five games, but perhaps Sunday's effort is a signal he is starting to turn things around at the plate. Garver is slashing .290/.353/.548 with two home runs, six runs and 10 RBI across 31 at-bats this postseason.

Pham isn't in the Diamondbacks' lineup for Game 5 of the NLCS versus the Phillies.

Pham has gone 1-for-13 with six strikeouts through the first four games of the NLCS, so he'll get a chance to regroup as he sits out Game 5. Pavin Smith will serve as Arizona's designated hitter instead and bat fifth.

Pham (toe) will return to the outfield Thursday in Game 3 of the NLCS against the Phillies, Bob Nightengale of USA Today reports.

Pham has been limited to DH duties since late September because of turf toe, but he's feeling better now and will give the Diamondbacks a slightly different lineup look as they try to rebound from an 0-2 series deficit. Pham is 0-for-8 with three strikeouts so far in the NLCS, but he went 7-for-22 (.318) with six runs scored in five games between the Wild Card Series and NLDS.

O'Keefe was sent outright Tuesday to Triple-A Tacoma after passing through waivers unclaimed.

O'Keefe was designated for assignment by the Mariners on Friday and drew no interest from other teams. The 30-year-old catcher has slashed .136/.240/.227 in 25 career plate appearances at the major-league level.

Alvarez is dealing with a virus, but he's in the lineup Monday for Game 2 of the Astros' ALCS matchup with the Rangers, serving as Houston's designated hitter and cleanup batter, Ken Rosenthal and Chandler Rome of The Athletic report.

According to the report, Alvarez is battling an upset stomach and has been dealing with headaches, but he looks set to play Monday at less than full strength. The slugger played through the illness in Sunday, going 0-for-4 with three strikeouts and a weakly-hit grounder in the Astros' 2-0 loss in Game 1. For what it's worth, manager Dusty Baker said Monday that Alvarez is "better today than he was yesterday."

The Mariners designated O'Keefe for assignment Friday.

O'Keefe was booted off the Mariners' 40-man roster in order to make room for Kaleb Ort (elbow), who was claimed off waivers from Boston on Friday. O'Keefe is just 3-for-22 with two RBI in his major-league career, though his .238/.328/.504 Triple-A slash line from 2023 could get him claimed by another team in need of depth behind the plate.

Buxton underwent an arthroscopic procedure on his right knee Friday, Do-Hyoung Park of MLB.com reports.

Buxton experienced a flareup of the patella tendinitis in his knee during the late stages of the season, and his procedure should help lower his risk for additional flareups in the future. The Twins didn't specify exactly how long Buxton will be held out, but the team still expects him to be able to play in center field next season.