MLB Player News
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Michael King SP | SD
Padres' Michael King: Getting nod in Game 1
King will start Game 1 of the wild-card series against Atlanta on Tuesday, AJ Cassavell of MLB.com reports.
The Padres will ride the hot hand and deploy King in their first postseason action, as he posted a 2.11 ERA and 1.25 WHIP with 40 strikeouts in his last seven starts of the regular season (38.1 innings). Joe Musgrove will get the call in Game 2 and Dylan Cease would draw the start in Game 3 if necessary.
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Luis Severino SP | NYM
Mets' Luis Severino: Held back for wild-card series
Severino's next start will come during the wild-card series after the Mets called up Joey Lucchesi to start the second game of Monday's doubleheader in Atlanta, Mike Puma of the New York Post reports.
Severino would have started the second game had the Mets lost the first contest. However, since they won, they can afford to hold Severino back for the wild-card round, likely for a Game 1 start. Severino made 31 regular-season starts for the Mets, posting a 3.91 ERA and 161:60 K:BB over 182 innings.
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Christian Scott SP | NYM
Mets' Christian Scott: Moved to 60-day IL
The Mets transferred Scott (elbow) to the 60-day injured list Monday, Mike Puma of the New York Post reports.
The transaction frees up a spot on the 40-man roster for Joey Lucchesi, who is making a spot start Monday in Atlanta. Scott will likely be sidelined until 2026 after requiring a hybrid Tommy John surgery and internal brace procedure on his pitching elbow.
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Joey Lucchesi SP | NYM
Mets' Joey Lucchesi: Summoned to start second game
The Mets selected Lucchesi's contract from Triple-A Syracuse on Monday, Mike Puma of the New York Post reports.
With the Mets having already clinched a playoff spot in winning the first game over Atlanta on Monday, they will turn to Lucchesi in the second contest and save Luis Severino for the wild-card series. Lucchesi has made one start for the Mets this season, allowing five runs over 4.1 frames.
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Chris Sale SP | ATL
Braves' Chris Sale: Scratched due to back spasms
Sale has been scratched from Monday's start against the Mets due to back spasms, David O'Brien of The Athletic reports.
Atlanta is facing a must-win game after losing the first game of Monday's doubleheader, and they will no longer have their ace available after he felt back spasms Sunday. It will be Grant Holmes starting in Sale's place. When or if Sale might be ready for the wild-card series, should Atlanta qualify, is uncertain. General manager Alex Anthopoulos noted that Sale's injury is a day-to-day situation, which would seem to offer hope he could pitch at some point during the wild-card series, should Atlanta qualify.
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Freddy Peralta SP | MIL
Brewers' Freddy Peralta: Will start Game 1 for Milwaukee
Peralta will start Game 1 of the wild-card series for the Brewers on Tuesday, Stephen Watson of Bally Sports Wisconsin reports.
The Brewers don't know their opponent yet, but Peralta is going to get the ball Tuesday regardless of who they play. Peralta collected a 3.68 ERA, 1.22 WHIP and 200:68 K:BB over 173.2 innings covering 32 starts this season. The Brewers have not yet revealed any of their starting pitchers beyond Game 1.
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Framber Valdez SP | HOU
Astros' Framber Valdez: Named Game 1 starter
Valdez will start Game 1 of the wild-card series versus the Tigers on Tuesday, Julia Morales of AT&T SportsNet Southwest reports.
How the Astros ultimately set up their full postseason rotation will be interesting, but there wasn't much question as to whom would take the ball in Game 1. After an inconsistent first half, Valdez held a 1.96 ERA, 0.89 WHIP and 87:23 K:BB over 78 frames in 12 second-half starts. He'll be opposed by Tarik Skubal.
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Tarik Skubal SP | DET
Tigers' Tarik Skubal: Taking ball in Game 1
Skubal will start Game 1 of the wild-card series against the Astros on Tuesday, Jon Morosi of MLB Network reports.
Skubal will square off against fellow southpaw Framber Valdez. The left-hander is the likely American League Cy Young winner after going 18-4 with a 2.39 ERA, 0.92 WHIP and 228:35 K:BB across 192 frames.
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Cole Ragans SP | KC
Royals' Cole Ragans: Set for Game 1 start
Ragans will start Game 1 of the wild-card series against the Orioles on Tuesday, Anne Rogers of MLB.com reports.
Ragans -- who will be opposed by Corbin Burnes -- earns the Royals' first playoff game start since 2015 after collecting a 3.14 ERA, 1.14 WHIP and 223:67 K:BB over 186.1 innings covering 32 starts. The Royals will go with Seth Lugo in Game 2 and Michael Wacha in Game 3, if there is one.
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Yariel Rodriguez SP | TOR
Blue Jays' Yariel Rodriguez: Sent down to minors
The Blue Jays optioned Rodriguez to their Florida Complex League affiliate Sunday.
Rodriguez had started Saturday's game, so the Blue Jays used his roster spot for some bullpen protection in Sunday's finale. The right-hander will be in the mix for a rotation spot in 2025 after posting a 4.47 ERA, 1.32 WHIP and 85:40 K:BB across 86.2 innings in his first year with Toronto.