MLB Player News

Imai will remain with the Astros in 2027 rather than exercising the opt-out clause in his contract, Jon Heyman of the New York Post reports.

Imai has two years and $36 million remaining on his contract, which is well shy of what he'd get on the open market after he posted a disappointing 4.93 ERA, 1.42 WHIP and 97:51 K:BB over 76.2 innings in his first year with the Astros. He has another opt-out clause in his contract that he could exercise after the 2027 campaign. Imai spent the final two months of the regular season in the bullpen, and it's unclear what plans the Astros have in store for Imai's role next season.

Rasmussen was charged with the loss in Game 5 of the World Series against the Brewers on Wednesday. He gave up one run on two hits with four strikeouts and no walks over four innings.

Pitching on short rest after Tampa Bay avoided a sweep Tuesday, Rasmussen gave his club a chance in Game 5 with four strong innings, but the Rays offense never found any traction. The right-hander surrendered just seven runs with a 31:5 K:BB across 28.2 innings during the playoffs. Rasmussen has a $20 million club option for 2027, which the Rays are likely to exercise after he posted a 2.67 ERA, 0.91 WHIP and 174:32 K:BB over a career-high 172 innings during the regular season.

Rasmussen will start Wednesday in Game 5 of the World Series against the Brewers, Marc Topkin of the Tampa Bay Times reports.

He'll be taking the ball on three days' rest after throwing 89 pitches over 3.2 innings in Game 2 on Saturday. Rasmussen was knocked around for three runs on six hits and two walks in that outing, but the righty was dominant in his first three starts this postseason in holding a 1.29 ERA with a 23:3 K:BB in 21 frames. He will be opposed by National League Cy Young front-runner Jacob Misiorowski.

Lopez (elbow) is slated to progress to throwing off a mound the third week of November, Dan Hayes of The Athletic reports.

Recovering from an internal brace repair of his right UCL, Lopez began throwing on flat ground Aug. 21 and is a few weeks away from mound work. As long as he's able to progress without any setbacks, the right-hander is expected to be ready in time for Opening Day. Lopez last pitched for the Twins in September of 2025 and will be entering the final year of his four-year, $73.5 million contract in 2027.

Peralta took the loss in Game 3 of the World Series against the Brewers on Monday, giving up five runs on seven hits and three walks over 4.2 innings. He struck out four.

The right-hander dealt with traffic all night, allowing 10 batters to reach before departing with two outs and the bases loaded in the fifth inning. All three baserunners came around to score as Milwaukee erupted for an eight-run frame, pushing the lead to 10-0. Peralta had surrendered just two runs across 16.2 postseason innings coming into Monday, though his 12:7 K:BB may have been an indicator of things to come when going up against a Brewers lineup that has chewed up elite starting pitchers all October. Now facing a 3-0 series deficit, the Rays will need to string some wins together for Peralta to have a chance of taking the mound again in 2026.

Jax will start Game 4 of the World Series against the Brewers on Tuesday, Marc Topkin of the Tampa Bay Times reports.

Jax took the loss in his last playoff start against the Guardians in Game 3 of the ALCS, allowing three runs on five hits and two walks while striking out two over four innings of work. He'll face a scorching Milwaukee offense Tuesday as the Rays attempt to extend the series after dropping the first three games.

Rasmussen didn't factor into the decision in Game 2 of the World Series on Saturday, giving up three runs on six hits and two walks while striking out four over 3.2 innings.

Rasmussen was dominant in his first three playoff starts with just three runs allowed and a 23:3 K:BB across 21 innings, but Milwaukee quickly showed why it was able to sweep the Dodgers in the NLCS. The 31-year-old righty was handed a 4-0 lead in the top of the first inning, but the Brewers got two runs back in the bottom of the frame and scored another in the fourth, chasing him after 89 pitches (56 strikes). Rasmussen now lines up to start a possible Game 6 on Friday, but the Rays will need to win at least two of three games in Tampa Bay to force the series back to Milwaukee.

Martinez was charged with the loss in Game 1 of the World Series at Milwaukee on Friday, allowing two runs on five hits with five strikeouts and no walks over five innings.

The Brewers pounced on the 36-year-old during the opening frame, scoring twice on two singles and a triple to put Tampa Bay in an early hole. Martinez bounced back from there, however, and followed up with four scoreless innings to keep the Rays close. The right-hander showed more swing-and-miss than usual after posting a 5.4 K/9 during the regular season, as he found some extra juice on his fastball and induced 10 whiffs on 73 pitches (52 strikes). Martinez now lines up to take the ball at home in a possible Game 5 for Tampa Bay.

Taillon was scheduled to undergo flexor tendon surgery with Dr. Keith Meister on Oct. 5, Shi Davidi of Sportsnet.ca reports.

Taillon told Davidi prior to the operation that "there's a good chance" he'll need an internal brace of his UCL, as well, though it's unclear whether that occurred. The veteran right-hander has already undergone two Tommy John surgeries previously. Taillon will turn 35 next month, is an impending free agent and will miss most, if not all, of the 2027 campaign. However, he plans to continue his pitching career. Taillon logged a 5.65 ERA over 18 starts between the Cubs and Blue Jays in 2026.

Martinez will start Game 1 of the World Series in Milwaukee on Friday, Marc Topkin of the Tampa Bay Times reports.

Giving Martinez the ball in Game 1 allows ace Drew Rasmussen an extra day of rest, and it pushes Freddy Peralta back to Game 3 at Tropicana Field, where he's posted a 2.03 ERA in five starts in 2026 between the regular and postseason. Both of Martinez's outings this postseason have been on the road, and he's allowed a total of three runs with a 6:3 K:BB over nine innings in those starts. The Brewers will counter with Jacob Misiorowski in Game 1.