MLB Player News

Phillies manager Rob Thomson announced Friday that Sanchez will start Sunday in Game 2 of the NLDS versus the Mets, Matt Gelb of The Athletic reports.

Zack Wheeler will get the ball in Game 1, which is no surprise, but Sanchez being the choice over Aaron Nola for Game 2 is a twist. The Phillies' thinking behind the decision is that Sanchez has pitched much better at home (2.21 ERA) than on the road (5.02 ERA), and they can also be more aggressive with their bullpen in Game 2 since an off day follows. Nola will get the ball for Game 3 in New York.

Sale (back) threw a bullpen session Friday and would have been on the NLDS roster had Atlanta advanced, Mark Bowman of MLB.com reports.

Sale had to be scratched from the last game of the regular season and was left off the wild-card series roster because of back spasms. However, it would appear the injury isn't major, and the left-hander should have a normal offseason. Sale is the National League Cy Young favorite after going 18-3 with a 2.38 ERA, 1.01 WHIP and 225:39 K:BB over 177.2 innings.

Atlanta president of baseball operations Alex Anthopoulos said Friday that the club will proceed deliberately with Strider's (elbow) rehab and are not setting a timeline for the pitcher's return yet, David O'Brien of The Athletic reports.

Strider underwent an internal brace procedure in mid-April to address UCL damage in his pitching elbow. While the internal brace operation is less invasive than Tommy John surgery (which Strider had previously), the team will still be very cautious and will avoid rushing the right-hander back too quickly. Anthopoulos indicated Friday that it's possible Strider is back by Opening Day of next season, but his return to the rotation could be pushed back as far as early June.

Flaherty will start in Game 2 of the NLDS against the Padres on Sunday, Bill Plunkett of The Orange County Register reports.

The Dodgers originally planned to start Flaherty in Game 1, but they are instead opting to start Yoshinobu Yamamoto to allow Yamamoto five days rest before potentially pitching in a decisive Game 5. Flaherty had a solid regular season, but he did struggle a bit down the stretch by allowing nine earned runs across his final 14 frames with a 14:9 K:BB.

Yamamoto is starting Game 1 of the NLDS against San Diego on Saturday, Bill Plunkett of The Orange County Register reports.

Yamamoto was originally slated to start Game 2, but he'll flip spots with Jack Flaherty. If the series goes a full five games, Yamamoto is projected to pitch in the decisive contest. He's pitched well in his return from a triceps injury, allowing two or fewer earned runs in three of four starts.

Yamamoto will start Sunday in Game 2 of the NLDS against San Diego, Jeff Sanders of The San Diego Union-Tribune reports.

Yamamoto allowed eight earned runs over six innings across his two appearances against the Padres during the regular season, though it's been nearly six months since he last faced the division rival. More recently, the 26-year-old righty turned in a 3.38 ERA and 21:5 K:BB over 16 frames following his return from the injured list Sept. 10.

Darvish will start Sunday in Game 2 of the NLDS against the Dodgers, Jeff Sanders of The San Diego Union-Tribune reports.

Michael King would be on regular rest Sunday following a dominant 12-strikeout outing in the wild-card series versus Atlanta, but the Padres will hold him back, presumably for Game 3. Darvish will be opposed by Yoshinobu Yamamoto.

Cease will start Saturday in Game 1 of the NLDS against the Dodgers, Jeff Sanders of The San Diego Union-Tribune reports.

After not being needed in the two-game sweep of Atlanta in the wild-card round, Cease was an easy call to take the ball in the NLDS opener. The righty collected a 3.47 ERA and 224:65 K:BB across 189.1 innings covering 33 starts this season for the Padres. Cease will be opposed by Jack Flaherty.

Musgrove will undergo and MRI on his injured right elbow Thursday, Jeff Sanders of the San Diego Union-Tribune reports.

Musgrove had to depart Wednesday's start versus Atlanta due to what the Padres are referring to now simply as right elbow tightness. Initial testing on his UCL came back clean, but more clarity will be available following Thursday's exam. For what it's worth, Musgrove said the discomfort he felt Wednesday was "very different" from the pain he experienced due to a bone spur in his elbow which sent him to the injured list twice earlier this season. The pitcher also revealed that he'd been battling some soreness in the elbow prior to the outing. If Musgrove needs to be replaced on the NLDS roster, Martin Perez is a candidate to fill that slot.

Quintana will start Game 3 of the National League Wild Card Series in Milwaukee on Thursday, Anthony DiComo of MLB.com reports.

During his last regular-season start against the Brewers on Saturday, Quintana allowed two earned runs on five hits and two walks while striking out nine batters in just 4.1 innings, but he ended up taking the loss. The veteran lefty will now look to get some revenge on the Crew in what will be the sixth postseason appearance of his 13-year career.