MLB Player News

Treinen worked around a leadoff single and struck out two in a scoreless ninth inning Sunday to pick up a save in the Dodgers' 4-2 win over the Rays in Game 5 of the World Series.

Manager Dave Roberts admitted prior to Game 5 that he wasn't certain if the struggling Kenley Jansen would remain Los Angeles' closer, so it wasn't too surprising to see Treinen tabbed for the save situation. After Jansen blew a save chance at night earlier, Treinen turned in a mostly stress-free frame, needing only 12 pitches to put away the Rays. Jansen's long track record as one of the game's top relievers may still make him the favorite to open 2021 as the Dodgers' closer, but his poor form of late likely makes Treinen the team's preferred option for saves for the remainder of the series.

Jansen was charged with the blown save and the loss in Game 4 of the World Series against the Rays on Saturday after recording two outs during the ninth inning and giving up two runs (one earned) on two hits with one strikeout and one walk.

The veteran right-hander retired two of the first three batters he faced, but a two-out walk to Randy Arozarena put the winning run on base. Brett Phillips' subsequent RBI single was botched in the outfield by Chris Taylor, and catcher Will Smith missed the relay throw with Arozarena dead to rights at home plate, allowing the game-winning run to score. It was a circus finish to a back-and-forth affair, and Jansen has now allowed three runs (two earned) in 1.2 innings over his two appearances in the World Series. The Dodgers seem likely to test their options for any save chances across the final two or three games of the series.

Williams was named the 2020 National League Reliever of the Year on Saturday, Marc Carig of The Athletic reports.

Williams allowed only one earned run across 27 innings of work in the shortened campaign. He thoroughly dominated opposing hitters, punching out 53 batters while walking only nine. Although Williams was unable to pitch in the postseason due a shoulder injury, he is expected to be ready for the 2021 campaign without undergoing surgery.

Strahm will undergo surgery to repair the patellar tendon in his right knee, Kevin Acee of The San Diego Union-Tribune reports.

Strahm was bothered by a knee issue for much of the 2020 season, but he's expected to be ready for spring training following his surgery. He underwent a similar surgery on his left knee in 2017. The southpaw was effective over a limited sample in 2020, recording a 2.61 ERA and 0.87 WHIP over 20.2 innings.

Jansen picked up the save in Game 6 of the NLCS against the Braves on Saturday, throwing one scoreless inning without allowing any baserunners.

A shaky start to the playoffs has put Jansen's role in some doubt, but he got the job done Saturday. As elimination-game save opportunities go, it was a relatively low-stress one, as he faced the bottom three hitters in Atlanta's order with a two-run lead. The Dodgers are evidently still willing to use the veteran in save situations, and he rewarded the team's faith this time around.

Minter will start Game 5 of the NCLS against the Dodgers on Friday, 680 The Fan Atlanta reports.

Atlanta will employ a bullpen game as they attempt to close out the series, and Minter will be the first man to take the mound. The left-hander had a 0.83 ERA, 1.11 WHIP and 24:9 K:BB over 21.2 innings during the regular season, and he's given up a solo homer with three strikeouts and one walk across 2.1 postseason frames.

Wilson earned the win in Game 4 of the NLCS against the Dodgers after giving up one run on one hit with five strikeouts and one walk over six innings Thursday.

It was the first postseason appearance of the 22-year-old's career, and he allowed only a single run via a solo homer from Edwin Rios. Wilson had a 4.02 ERA, 1.72 WHIP and 15:9 K:BB over 15.2 innings during the regular season, but he may have earned the chance to start another playoff game, if Atlanta can complete the series win and advance to the World Series.

Bowman (elbow) cleared waivers and was outrighted to Triple-A Louisville on Wednesday.

The 29-year-old underwent Tommy John surgery in mid-September, so it's not a major surprise the Reds won't keep him on the 40-man roster over the offseason. Bowman could ready to return late in the 2021 campaign, but there's a real chance he misses the entire season.

Biddle (shoulder) cleared waivers and was outrighted to Triple-A Louisville on Wednesday.

The left-hander spent the final month of the season on the injured list with the left shoulder injury, but he's now been removed from the 40-man roster. Biddle appeared in only one game before suffering the injury.

Padres general manager A.J. Preller said Wednesday that Lamet (elbow) isn't expected to require offseason surgery, Jeff Sanders of The San Diego Union-Tribune reports.

Lamet and Mike Clevinger (elbow) both ended up finishing the Padres' playoff run in the training room, but the two starting pitchers are expected to treat their respective injuries with rest and rehab this winter rather than having to go under the knife. Before being left off the postseason roster for the wild-card and NLDS rounds, Lamet was at least able to throw off flat ground, so he's at least made progress on some level since exiting his final start Sept. 25 with the elbow injury. Expect Lamet to gradually ramp up his throwing program throughout the winter with the aim of being back to 100 percent for spring training.