MLB Player News

Sanchez didn't factor in the decision in Game 2 of the NL Wild Card Series in Atlanta on Wednesday. He gave up three runs on six hits with six strikeouts and five walks over 6.2 innings.

The left-hander locked in with five scoreless innings after giving up a run in the opening frame, but he then ran into trouble in the seventh. Sanchez surrendered two runs on two walks, a double, a sacrifice bunt and a sacrifice fly, though the two-bagger was a bit of a misplay Bryce Harper in right field. Regardless, the 29-year-old certainly wasn't at his best Wednesday as he tied a season high with five free passes. Sanchez would likely take the ball in Game 3 of the NLDS against the Dodgers next week, if the Phillies can get past Atlanta.

Atlanta manager Walt Weiss said after Game 2 of the NL Wild Card Series against the Phillies on Wednesday that Mahle suffered an abdominal injury while warming up and nearly didn't start as scheduled, Grant McAuley of the Marietta Daily Journal reports. The right-hander didn't factor in the decision, giving up one run on six hits with six strikeouts and one walk across seven innings.

Mahle fully downplayed the injury, but it makes the playoff performance even more impressive as he tied a season best for innings pitched. It continues a strong run of form for the 32-year-old, who posted a 1.99 ERA, 0.96 WHIP and 48:9 K:BB in 54.1 frames across nine regular-season starts after being acquired from the Giants at the trade deadline. Should Atlanta advance to the NLDS, Mahle tentatively lines up to take the mound in Game 3 against the Dodgers next week.

Boyd (0-1) took the loss in Game 1 of the NL Wild Card Series against the Padres on Tuesday. He gave up four runs on five hits with four strikeouts and a walk over four innings.

The left-hander didn't have trouble finding the zone with 42 of his 58 pitches going for strikes, but the Friars made plenty of hard contact with four extra-base hits, including three homers. The poor showing from Boyd was a departure from his recent form, as he surrendered just two earned runs across 12 frames in his final two starts of the regular season. The Cubs will need to salvage the next two games in San Diego for Boyd to get a chance at redeeming himself with another playoff start.

Nola is likely to start a potential Game 3 of the wild-card series against Atlanta on Thursday, Matt Gelb of The Athletic reports.

Zack Wheeler will be on three days' rest Thursday and would be available out of the bullpen, but the Phillies are likely to turn to Nola on normal rest first if they're able to force a winner-take-all contest. The 33-year-old Nola was terrific down the stretch of the regular season for Philadelphia, collecting a 2.93 ERA and 61:20 K:BB over 61.1 innings covering 11 starts from Aug. 1 on.

Tolle (0-1) took the loss in Game 1 of the AL Wild Card Series against the Yankees on Tuesday. He gave up one run on five hits with four strikeouts and a walk over 4.2 innings.

It was a solid showing from Tolle in his first postseason start, but he was saddled with the loss since the Red Sox managed just three hits in the shutout defeat. After struggling in his first taste of the big leagues with a 6.06 ERA seven appearances last year, the left-hander shined as a rookie during the 2026 regular season, making 26 starts and finishing with a 3.03 ERA, 1.10 WHIP and 171:40 K:BB across 148.2 innings.

King earned the win in Game 1 of the NL Wild Card Series against the Cubs on Tuesday. He gave up one hit with eight strikeouts and three walks over seven shutout innings.

The right-hander held Chicago without a hit until the seventh inning, when Nico Hoerner reached on an infield single down the third-base line. It was an electric performance from King, who threw 62 of his 97 pitches for strikes while generating 17 whiffs. The 31-year-old surrendered five runs against the Dodgers during his final start of the regular season, but it was still a productive campaign with a 3.21 ERA, 1.18 WHIP and 159:70 K:BB across 185 innings. If the Padres can win one of the next two games to push past the Cubs, King likely lines up to start Game 2 of the NLDS in Milwaukee.

Schlittler (1-0) earned the win in Game 1 of the AL Wild Card Series against the Red Sox on Tuesday. He struck out 10 and allowed two hits and one walk across 6.1 scoreless innings.

The right-hander registered 24 whiffs while throwing a career-high 117 pitches, 77 of which went for strikes. Schlittler prevented Boston from even reaching second base against him as he continued his September dominance, which saw him post a 1.20 ERA, 0.63 WHIP and 38:7 K:BB in 30 frames over his last five starts of the regular season. If the Yankees can punch their ticket to the ALDS, Schlittler tentatively lines up to start Game 2 against the Rays.

Sandoval wasn't included on the Red Sox's roster for their American League Wild Card Series with the Yankees that began Tuesday.

Boston's decision to keep Sandoval off the roster doesn't come as a major surprise, after he turned in a 5.15 ERA and 1.69 WHIP over 64.2 innings in 13 starts upon returning from the 60-day injured list shortly before the All-Star break. The veteran southpaw didn't fare much better while shifting to a relief role for the final week of the regular season, yielding three runs on eight hits and one walk while striking out six in 5.2 innings over two appearances. Sandoval is scheduled for free agency this offseason and will likely be donning a new uniform in 2027.

The Red Sox optioned Paez to Triple-A Worcester on Sunday.

Paez gave up his spot on the 28-man active roster and in the bullpen to Wyatt Olds, who was recalled from Triple-A ahead of the Red Sox's regular-season finale. A Rule 5 pick by the White Sox over the winter, Paez ended up making his MLB debut with Chicago but was returned to Boston in early April. He ended up making two appearances for the Red Sox in September, yielding eight runs on 13 hits and two walks while striking out eight batters across 8.2 innings.

Gausman will start Game 2 of the wild-card series versus the Padres on Wednesday, Sahadev Sharma of The Athletic reports.

Gausman will be tasked with helping to stave off elimination after the Cubs were shut out in the Padres' 8-0 Game 1 victory. The right-hander injured his left (non-throwing) shoulder in his final regular-season start one week ago, but he feels well enough to take the ball in Game 2's win-or-go-home scenario.