MLB Player News

Kopech will serve as the Dodgers' opening pitcher for Game 6 of the NLCS against the Mets on Sunday, Noah Camras of DodgersNation.com reports.

Ryan Brasier served as the opener the last time the Dodgers went with a bullpen day in Game 2, but after suffering a 7-3 loss in that contest, Los Angeles will go a different route Sunday. Kopech's lone appearance in the NLCS came in Game 3 on Wednesday, when he scooped up a win while striking out one batter over one scoreless inning. He's appeared in five postseason games this season, allowing one hit and two walks while striking out six batters across 4.1 scoreless innings.

Leiter has been added to the Yankees' ALCS roster, Chris Kirschner of The Athletic reports.

Leiter is the injury replacement for Ian Hamilton (calf). The 33-year-old Leiter held a 4.98 ERA over 21.2 innings after being acquired by the Yankees at the trade deadline, while he struck out 33 and tallied 86 strikeouts across 58 frames in 2024 between his time with the Cubs and Yankees.

Hamilton (calf) has been removed from the Yankees' ALCS roster, Chris Kirschner of The Athletic reports.

Hamilton injured his left calf Thursday in Game 3 of the ALCS and will now be ineligible to return for the remainder of the playoffs. Mark Leiter will take Hamilton's spot on the Yankees' roster.

Lambert elected free agency Thursday.

Lambert split his time in 2024 between Triple-A Albuquerque and the Rockies and has managed just a 6.28 ERA and 181:95 K:BB over 243.2 innings covering parts of four seasons in the majors. The 27-year-old was used mostly in relief this season but has plenty of past experience as a starting pitcher.

Hamilton exited Thursday's game against the Guardians with left calf tightness, Chris Kirschner of The Athletic reports.

Hamilton suffered the injury while stretching for the first base bag in the sixth inning. He threw one warmup pitch but quickly exited after sailing it to the backstop. The severity of the issue remains unclear.

Hamilton exited Thursday's game against the Guardians with an apparent lower-body injury, Bryan Hoch of MLB.com reports.

Hamilton was covering first base in the sixth inning and appeared to suffer the injury while stretching to reach the bag. He threw one warmup pitch that sailed to the backstop, and he was quickly pulled thereafter. There is no official diagnosis, but Hamilton will likely miss at least some action.

Murphy (elbow) began a throwing program last week, Chris Cotillo of MassLive.com reports.

Murphy had Tommy John surgery in April and has finally been cleared to begin throwing again. The left-hander is sure to begin next season on the injured list -- perhaps the 60-day IL -- but will hope to contribute out of Boston's bullpen eventually.

Manager Dave Roberts said Wednesday that Hudson will be available for Game 3 of the NLCS against the Mets on Wednesday after dealing with a lower-body injury in Game 2, Bill Shaikin of the Los Angeles Times reports.

Hudson pitched a scoreless inning during Game 1 but was apparently unavailable for Game 2 due to an injury that wasn't disclosed beforehand. The discomfort seems to have subsided, and the 37-year-old righty will be able to pitch in high-leverage situations after logging 10 saves and posting a 3.00 ERA during the regular season.

Fulmer (elbow) has begun throwing off a mound, Rob Bradford of WEEI.com reports.

Fulmer is coming up on the one-year anniversary of his UCL revision surgery and is tracking toward being ready to go for spring training. The right-hander inked a two-year, minor-league contract with the Red Sox in February and could open the 2025 season in the big-league bullpen, barring any setbacks with his recovery.

Stratton (forearm) is expected to be healthy for the beginning of spring training, Anne Rogers of MLB.com reports.

Stratton missed the final couple weeks of the regular season and the playoffs with a right flexor strain, but he's expected to recover with an offseason of rest. The veteran reliever holds a $4.5 million player option for 2025, which he seems likely to exercise after posting a lackluster 5.55 ERA and 44:33 K:BB over 58.1 innings in 2024.