MLB Player News
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Michael Wacha SP | KC
Royals' Michael Wacha: Named ALDS Game 1 starter
Wacha will start Saturday in Game 1 of the ALDS versus the Yankees, Anne Rogers of MLB.com reports.
Wacha had been lined up for Game 3 of the American League Wild Card Series, but with the Royals completing a two-game sweep of the Orioles, the righty will be held back for the ALDS opener. He'll be opposed by Gerrit Cole.
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Jose Quintana SP | NYM
Mets' Jose Quintana: Getting Game 3 nod
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.
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Joe Musgrove SP | SD
Padres' Joe Musgrove: Battling elbow tightness
Musgrove left his start Wednesday in Game 2 of the National League Wild Card Series versus Atlanta due to right elbow tightness.
Musgrove's elbow began to affect his velocity in the fourth inning of Wednesday's contest, forcing him out after just 3.2 frames of one-run ball. There's no telling if he'll be available for the NLDS if San Diego advances past Atlanta. It's worth noting that the 31-year-old has already landed on the IL twice this season due to elbow-related injuries.
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Joe Musgrove SP | SD
Padres' Joe Musgrove: Exits with trainer
Musgrove was removed from Game 2 of the NL Wild Card Series against Atlanta on Wednesday due to an apparent injury, AJ Cassavell of MLB.com reports.
Musgrove was visited on the mound by a trainer after displaying decreased velocity in the fourth inning. It's unclear what exactly the right-hander is dealing with, but the Padres will take a closer look at him and should offer an update on his status in the near future. Prior to his removal, he allowed one earned run on one hit while striking out four batters over 3.2 innings.
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Michael Lorenzen SP | KC
Royals' Michael Lorenzen: Makes return over weekend
Lorenzen (lower body) struck out three and allowed an unearned run on one hit in two innings out of the bullpen in Saturday's 2-1 loss to Atlanta.
Lorenzen made his final start of the regular season last Wednesday, when he tossed two-plus innings against the Nationals before leaving early due to lower-body fatigue. He made his return to action out of the bullpen a few days later, with the clean appearance assuaging any concerns about his health. He was included on the Royals' 26-man wild-card roster but went unused during the club's two-game sweep of the Orioles.
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Jack Flaherty SP | LAD
Dodgers' Jack Flaherty: Tapped for Game 1 start
Dodgers general manager Brandon Gomes said Wednesday that the club plans to start Flaherty on Saturday in Game 1 of the NLDS, Eric Stephen of SBNation.com reports.
Flaherty will be tasked with Game 1 before the Dodgers turn to Yoshinobu Yamamoto in Game 2. The 28-year-old posted a 3.58 ERA and 61:19 K:BB across 55.1 innings covering 10 starts for the Dodgers after being acquired from the Tigers at the trade deadline.
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Paul Blackburn SP | NYM
Mets' Paul Blackburn: Won't return this season
Mets manager Carlos Mendoza said Wednesdaythat Blackburn (back) won't pitch at any point during the postseason, Tim Healey of Newsday reports.
Blackburn had hoped to be available for the Mets at some point during the playoffs, but he is still having issues after first experiencing a spinal fluid leak in mid-September. The righty posted a 5.18 ERA over five starts for the Mets after being acquired from the Athletics at the trade deadline. He'll be eligible for salary arbitration for a final time this winter.
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Tobias Myers SP | MIL
Brewers' Tobias Myers: Lined up for Game 3 start
Myers will start a potential Game 3 of the National League Wild Card Series versus the Mets on Thursday if he's not needed in relief in Game 2, Jack Stern of BrewerFanatic.com reports.
It's all hands on deck for the Brewers on Wednesday as they try to stave off elimination, but Myers is tentatively lined up to take the ball in Game 3, if Milwaukee is able to force a winner-take-all contest. Myers was arguably the Brewers' biggest surprise this season as he held a 3.00 ERA and 127:36 K:BB across 138 frames in his rookie year.
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Tanner Bibee SP | CLE
Guardians' Tanner Bibee: Named Game 1 starter
Bibee will start Saturday in Game 1 of the ALDS, Mandy Bell of MLB.com reports.
Bibee was the obvious choice for the Guardians' first playoff game after putting up a 3.47 ERA, 1.12 WHIP and 187:44 K:BB over 173.2 innings covering 31 starts during the regular season. The 25-year-old has pitched well of late with a 2.64 ERA in five September outings.
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Yariel Rodriguez SP | TOR
Blue Jays' Yariel Rodriguez: GM noncommittal on 2025 role
Blue Jays general manager Ross Atkins on Wednesday was noncommittal on Rodriguez's role for next season, Keegan Matheson of MLB.com reports.
Atkins referred to Rodriguez as a "solid option" for the 2025 rotation and said he's happy with where the pitcher's workload is at as a starter after he threw 107 innings in 2024. However, the GM also noted that, if the club acquires outside help for its rotation, Rodriguez "would be an exceptional reliever." All 21 of Rodriguez's appearances for the Blue Jays this season were as a starter and he should be penciled into next year's rotation, but it doesn't seem to be set in stone.