MLB Player News

Cousins (pectoral) was activated off the 15-day injured list Saturday ahead of Game 1 of the American League Division Series versus Kansas City, per MLB's transaction log.

Cousins finished the regular season on the injured list due to a pectoral strain but was able to toss a series of bullpen sessions ahead of the playoffs. The right-hander was able to prove his health and will serve as a relief option for New York against the Royals. Cousins has posted a 2.37 ERA, 1.05 WHIP and 53:20 K:BB while logging eight holds and one save over 38 innings this season.

Ramirez elected free agency Saturday, Marc Topkin of the Tampa Bay Times reports.

Ramirez was designated for assignment by the Rays in late August but remained in the organization and finished the campaign in Triple-A. The right-handed hurler logged a 4.35 ERA, 1.06 WHIP and 15:10 K:BB over 20.2 innings while going 3-0 with one save in the majors last season. Ramirez worked as a starter early in his career but has been almost exclusively a reliever since 2019.

Holton will serve as the Tigers' opening pitcher Saturday for Game 1 of the ALDS in Cleveland, Cody Stavenhagen of The Athletic reports.

Holton pitched in both games of the wild-card series versus the Astros, including as an opener in Game 2. That means he will technically be "starting" back-to-back postseason games for the Tigers, but the bullpen will be heavily involved Saturday.

Atlanta president of baseball operations Alex Anthopoulos said Friday that the team plans to pick up Bummer's $7.25 million club option for 2025, Grant McAuley of 92.9 The Game Atlanta reports.

The 31-year-old lefty held a 3.58 ERA and 69:18 K:BB over 55.1 innings in 2024 in his first season with Atlanta. Bummer could have an even more important role in 2025 with A.J. Minter heading into free agency and recovering from hip surgery.

Orioles general manager Mike Elias said Thursday that he expects Bautista (elbow) to more or less be without restrictions at the start of spring training, Roch Kubatko of MASNSports.com reports.

Bautista started throwing off the mound in August and will be 16 months removed from Tommy John surgery by February. As long as he looks good during Grapefruit League play, he should regain the closer role for Baltimore heading into 2025. Bautista posted a 1.48 ERA, 0.92 WHIP and 110:26 K:BB over 61 innings while notching 33 saves in 2023.

Phillies manager Rob Thomson indicated Wednesday that Turnbull (lat) is unlikely to be on the NLDS roster, Alex Coffey of The Philadelphia Inquirer reports.

Thomson said Turnbull was "erratic" during an intrasquad game Wednesday, adding that he believes the righty needs to fine-tune things. Turnbull has been sidelined since late June with a right lat strain and it would appear he'll remain out at least through the first round of the postseason.

Phillies manager Rob Thomson said Hoffman didn't pitch in a simulated game Wednesday due to a stiff neck, Alex Coffey of The Philadelphia Inquirer reports.

Thomson said holding Hoffman back was precautionary, adding that he expects the reliever to be "fine" for Game 1 of the NLDS on Saturday. Hoffman will be a high-leverage reliever for the Phillies this postseason following a regular season which saw him collect a 2.17 ERA and 89:16 K:BB over 66.1 innings.

Turnbull (lat) will pitch in an intrasquad game Wednesday at Citizens Bank Park, MLB.com reports.

Turnbull made a rehab start with Triple-A Lehigh Valley on Sept. 22 and threw 52 pitches in a live batting practice session Sept. 27. If he gets through Wednesday's session without any issues, Turnbull could be included on the Phillies' NLDS roster as a long reliever. He's been sidelined since late June with a right lat strain.

Holton will open Game 2 of the Tigers' wild-card series versus Houston on Wednesday, Jason Beck of MLB.com reports.

After turning in a 2.19 ERA and 0.78 WHIP through 94.1 innings in the regular season, Holton will now be rewarded with an opener assignment in the playoffs as the Tigers look to advance to the ALDS. He'll likely only remain in the game for an inning or two before turning things over to Reese Olson, though Holton has reached three frames in four of his 66 appearances.

Yankees manager Aaron Boone said Tuesday that Cousins (pectoral) is on track to be ready for the ALDS, Bryan Hoch of MLB.com reports.

Cousins will throw another bullpen session Wednesday, which should be the last hurdle he needs to clear before being included on the ALDS roster. The right-handed reliever hasn't pitched in a game in nearly two weeks because of a right pectoral strain.