MLB Player News

Wheeler is not available in relief Wednesday for Game 4 of the NLDS against the Mets, Scott Lauber of The Philadelphia Inquirer reports.

The Phillies are facing elimination and Wheeler would be on three days' rest. He would pitch Wednesday only in an emergency situation after throwing 111 pitches in Game 1. Wheeler would take the ball Friday if the Phillies are able to force a Game 5.

Cease will start Wednesday in Game 4 of the NLDS against the Dodgers, Kevin Acee of The San Diego Union-Tribune reports.

Cease had a hard time keeping the Dodgers' bats quiet during a loss in Game 1 on Saturday, giving up five earned runs on six hits and two walks over just 3.1 innings. The 28-year-old righty had better luck against Los Angeles during the regular season, turning in a 3.37 ERA across 10.2 frames, so a bounce-back performance Wednesday isn't out of the question.

Padres manager Mike Shildt on Monday didn't dismiss the possibility of Cease starting Wednesday in Game 4 of the NLDS versus the Dodgers on short rest, AJ Cassavell of MLB.com reports.

Martin Perez was added to the roster as an injury replacement for Joe Musgrove (elbow) and would seem to be the other logical option for a Game 4 start. Whether the Padres win Game 3 could factor into Shildt's decision. If the Padres do opt for Cease on three days' rest in Game 4, they could turn back to Yu Darvish on normal rest for a potential Game 5.

Mets manager Carlos Mendoza indicated Monday that Senga is likely to start a potential Game 5 of the NLDS against the Phillies, Anthony DiComo of MLB.com reports.

Mendoza is holding off on naming a starter until he knows whether the game will be necessary, but Senga is tentatively lined up after recovering from his Game 1 start with no issues. Senga allowed one run over two innings in Game 1 and is expected to be stretched out for three frames in a potential Game 5 start.

Quintana will start Wednesday in Game 4 of the NLDS versus the Phillies, Anthony DiComo of MLB.com reports.

Quintana was the obvious choice after flourishing down the stretch, as the veteran lefty held a 0.74 ERA over his final six regular-season starts before tossing six shutout frames in the wild-card series versus the Brewers. He will be opposed by fellow southpaw Ranger Suarez.

Suarez will start Wednesday in Game 4 of the NLDS against the Mets, Gabriella Galati of 6 ABC in Philadelphia reports.

Suarez held a 5.65 ERA in eight starts after the All-Star break and missed time with a back injury. Phillies manager Rob Thomson no doubt will have a short leash with the left-hander in Game 4. Suarez will be opposed by Jose Quintana.

Buehler is expected to start Game 3 of the NLDS versus the Padres on Tuesday, Juan Toribio of MLB.com reports.

Buehler will toe the rubber in Game 3 after producing a 4.44 ERA and 1.41 WHIP with 25 strikeouts over 26.1 innings in five starts in September. The right-hander owns a 2.94 ERA with 101 strikeouts over 79.2 innings in 15 career postseason starts. He'll look to bring his best stuff Tuesday with the series knotted up at one game apiece.

Manaea was announced Sunday as the Mets' starter for Game 3 of the NLDS versus the Phillies on Tuesday, Anthony DiComo of MLB.com reports.

The announcement comes as no surprise, as Manaea will be on five days' rest after starting Game 2 of the wild-card series this past Wednesday against Milwaukee. In that contest, the left-hander yielded two runs over five innings and came away with a no-decision. In three starts versus Philadelphia during the regular season, Manaea posted a 5.40 ERA, 0.96 WHIP and 15:2 K:BB over 16.2 frames.

Kershaw's injured toe has not improved, and he won't be available to pitch again in 2024 regardless of how far the Dodgers advance in the playoffs, Bill Plunkett of The Orange County Register reports.

Kershaw is dealing with a bone spur in his left big toe and hasn't pitched since Aug. 30. Dodgers manager Dave Roberts indicated Saturday that the issue may have gotten worse as the veteran southpaw has tried to prepare for a return, and that will prevent Kershaw from pitching again this season. The future Hall of Famer was limited to a career-low seven appearances in 2024 and posted a 4.50 ERA, 1.50 WHIP and 24:9 K:BB over 30 innings.

Perez is part of the Padres' roster for the National League Division Series versus the Dodgers.

Perez wasn't part of San Diego's roster for the wild-card round versus Atlanta, as the team didn't need him as part of the rotation for the three-game set. However, Perez will be available for the NLDS and could start Game 4 of the series since Joe Musgrove (elbow) is out for the remainder of the postseason and beyond as he prepares for Tommy John surgery. Perez was inconsistent for the Padres during the regular season and finished with a 4.53 ERA, 1.48 WHIP and 107:49 K:BB over 135 innings.