MLB Player News

Ramirez elected free agency Tuesday after refusing an outright assignment to the minors.

Ramirez got into five games for the Tigers this season, posting a 5.91 ERA and 1.13 WHIP over 10.2 innings of work. The lefty heads to the open market as a 31-year-old with a respectable-enough 4.28 ERA in 90.1 career big-league innings.

Rodriguez cleared waivers Tuesday and was outrighted to Triple-A Toledo.

Rodriguez made just two appearances for the Giants this season, giving up six runs on 10 hits over four innings of work, before being waived and claimed by the Tigers. He clearly wasn't a major part of Detroit's plans, as he spent the remainder of the season at the team's alternate training site. Now that he's off the 40-man roster, he's even further from making his Tigers' debut.

Kuhnel cleared waivers Monday and was outrighted to Triple-A Louisville.

Kuhnel pitched just three times this season, giving up a pair of runs in three innings of work. He's evidently not a significant part of the Reds' plans heading into 2021, though he could still wind up back on the roster to throw a handful of innings.

Manager Dave Roberts said prior to the Dodgers' 4-2 win over the Rays in Game 5 of the World Series that he was uncertain of Jansen's role, Bill Plunkett of The Orange County Register reports.

Jansen's blown save in Game 4 on Saturday wasn't a total implosion, but it nonetheless continued a trend of underwhelming postseason appearances for the 33-year-old. With that in mind, Roberts' decision to bypass Jansen for a save chance Sunday came as little surprise, with Blake Treinen stepping in and working around a leadoff single to deliver a scoreless ninth inning. The diminished velocity and elevated flyball rate Jansen has experienced during the playoffs could make Roberts reluctant to turn to him in higher-leverage spots for the remainder of the World Series.

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.

Yarbrough didn't factor in the decision in Game 4 of the World Series against the Rays on Saturday. He allowed two runs on five hits with one strikeout and one walk across 3.1 innings.

The left-hander's only real trouble came via solo homers from Corey Seager and Justin Turner, but he generated only five swinging strikes on 69 pitches and was unable to make it through the fourth inning. Yarbrough has a 3.86 ERA, 1.43 WHIP and 7:4 K:BB over 14 innings during the 2020 playoffs, and he may be available out of the bullpen on two days rest for Game 6 and a potential Game 7.

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.

Hendriks has been named the 2020 American League Reliever of the Year, Susan Slusser of the San Francisco Chronicle reports.

Hendriks dominated in the shortnered campaign, maintaining a 1.78 ERA and 0.67 WHIP across 25.1 innings. He also racked up 14 saves, good for second in the league behind Brad Hand. Hendriks has proven to be one of the elite relievers in the league across the past two seasons by racking up saves while also recording elite ratios and strikeouts.

Yarbrough will start Game 4 of the World Series against the Dodgers on Saturday, Juan Toribio of MLB.com reports.

Yarbrough has been a starter in just one of his three postseason outings after starting in nine of his 11 appearances during the season. He's allowed just four runs in 10.2 playoff innings despite giving up three homers and posting a modest 6:3 K:BB. He'll be pitching on just three days rest, though he was only asked to throw two thirds of an inning in Game 1 on Tuesday, so he's likely able to handle something close to his typical workload.