MLB Player News

Helsley was removed from Game 1 of the NL Wild Card Series against the Phillies on Friday after he apparently aggravated his jammed right middle finger, Katie Woo of The Athletic reports.

The right-hander suffered the injury during the penultimate game of the regular season Tuesday and was cleared after throwing a bullpen session Thursday, but he struggled with his command in Game 1 before being lifted. Helsley retired the first two batters he faced to end the eighth inning and keep the Cardinals ahead 2-0, but he came back out for the ninth and exited after he let in a run via a hit by pitch with the bases loaded. He ended up being charged with four earned runs as the bullpen behind him also struggled, and his availability for the rest of the series is now up in the air.

Nelson was left off the Phillies' roster for the NL Wild Card Series against the Cardinals on Friday, Alex Coffey of The Philadelphia Inquirer reports.

Nelson spent the full 2022 campaign in Philadelphia's bullpen but won't be included on the opening roster for the playoffs. He appeared in 47 games and had a 4.85 ERA, 1.49 WHIP and 69:36 K:BB across 68.2 innings.

Hand (elbow) was activated from the 15-day injured list Friday and is on the Phillies' roster for the NL Wild Card Series against the Cardinals, Alex Coffey of The Philadelphia Inquirer reports.

The veteran left-hander landed on the shelf with elbow tendinitis Sept. 22, but he's back with the team for the wild-card round. Hand finished the regular season with 13 holds, five saves and a 2.80 ERA over 45 innings.

Thornton did not make the Blue Jays' 26-man wild-card roster, Kaitlyn McGrath of The Athletic reports.

Thornton failed to make the postseason roster after he was called up Wednesday to pitch in Toronto's doubleheader versus the Orioles, tossing two hitless innings while striking out a batter. After posting a 4.11 ERA over 32 appearances this season, the right-hander seems unlikely to be considered for an active roster spot moving forward this postseason.

Lawrence is not on the Blue Jays' 26-man wild-card roster, Kaitlyn McGrath of The Athletic reports.

Lawrence was called up from Triple-A Buffalo on Wednesday for the team's doubleheader with the Orioles, pitching 2.1 innings while allowing one run on three hits and a walk. The 34-year-old was unsurprisingly not chosen for the postseason roster after posting a 7.50 ERA over six appearances in the big leagues this season.

Yacabonis was not selected for the Rays' wild-card roster Friday.

After joining the big-league roster Tuesday, Yacabonis appeared in the Rays' regular season finale, surrendering two runs on two hits and three walks over an inning versus the Red Sox. Unsurprisingly, he didn't make the final cut for the postseason roster after he compiled an 8.36 ERA over 14 major-league appearances this year.

Fleming wasn't included on the Rays' roster for the AL Wild Card Series against the Guardians on Friday, Steve Carney of StPeteNine.com reports.

The left-hander was called up for a spot start in the regular-season finale Wednesday with playoff positioning already set in stone, so it's not a major surprise he's not on the postseason roster. Fleming had a 6.43 ERA, 1.89 WHIP and 29:12 K:BB over 35 innings this year.

Beeks (lower leg) was reinstated from the 15-day injured list Friday and included on Tampa Bay's roster for the AL Wild Card Series at Cleveland, Steve Carney of StPeteNine.com reports.

Beeks has been sidelined the past few weeks by tightness in his right lower leg but will rejoin the Rays for the start of the playoffs. The 29-year-old has been a strong option out of the bullpen this year with a 2.80 ERA, 1.16 WHIP and 70:22 K:BB across 61 innings.

Chargois was left off the Rays' wild-card roster Friday.

Chargois did not make the Rays' final roster heading into the postseason, with the team opting to keep Javy Guerra in the bullpen over him. Chargois produced an impressive 2.42 ERA and 0.94 WHIP with 17 strikeouts over 22.1 innings in the regular season and will likely have another shot to crack the active roster if Tampa Bay advances to the next round of the playoffs.

Morris wasn't included on the Guardians' roster for the AL Wild Card Series against the Rays, which begins Friday, Mark Feinsand of MLB.com reports.

The 25-year-old was one of the odd men out with the roster shrinking from 28 to 26 players for the postseason. Morris made seven appearances (five starts) in his first taste of the majors this year and pitched well with a 2.28 ERA, 1.39 WHIP and 23:12 K:BB over 23.2 innings, so he should be in the mix for a roster spot if Cleveland advances to the next round.