MLB Player News

Darvish did not factor in the decision during Sunday's 4-3 loss to the Phillies in Game 5 of the NLCS, allowing two runs on four hits and three walks while striking out five over six innings.

Darvish recorded his second quality start the NLCS, but the San Diego bullpen was unable to hold on for the victory, eliminating the Padres from the postseason. With two outs in the third inning, a walk followed by a two-run homer from Rhys Hoskins accounted for Darvish's two earned runs, but the 36-year-old righty was still in line for the win until Bryce Harper's go-ahead homer off Robert Suarez. Nonetheless, Darvish had a solid postseason run on the mound, earning a 2.88 ERA with 23 strikeouts over 25 innings, the most he has thrown in a postseason.

Cortes was removed from Game 4 of the ALCS against the Astros on Sunday due to a left groin injury.

Cortes was visited by a trainer early in Sunday's matchup and remained in the game, but he was removed after allowing a three-run homer with no outs in the top of the third inning. Prior to his departure, he allowed three runs on two hits and three walks while striking out two in two innings. The severity of the issue isn't clear, and whether he's available later in the postseason if the Yankees advance remains to be seen.

Falter did not factor in the decision during Game 4's 10-6 win over the Padres on Saturday night, allowing four runs on three hits and a walk while striking out zero over 0.2 innings.

Falter was slated to have a short start Saturday, but he was unable to get through the first inning and was relieved by Connor Brogdon. After two quick outs, Manny Machado hit a solo homer and the Padres followed with a single, a walk and a two-run double to knock Falter out of the game. The 25-year-old had a similar gameplan in his final regular season appearance when he pitched a scoreless first inning against the Astros, but he was unable to replicate that success in Game 4 of the NLCS, though the Philadelphia offense mounted a comeback to take him off the hook for the loss.

Clevinger was unable to record an out during Saturday's 10-6 loss to the Phillies in Game 4 of the NLCS, allowing three runs on three hits and one walk while striking out zero.

Clevinger's rough postseason continued Saturday night as he was relieved by Nick Martinez without recording an out in the first inning. The 31-year-old Clevinger was given four runs by his offense in the top of the first, but a leadoff single followed by a Rhys Hoskins homer, a walk and a Bryce Harper RBI double was enough to knock him from the game. Clevinger has now surrendered seven runs across two postseason starts while recording only eight outs in total.

Cole pitched five innings and took the loss during Saturday's 5-0 defeat in Game 3 of the ALCS, allowing three earned runs on five hits and two walks while striking out seven.

Cole was unable to turn the tide of the ALCS in Saturday's Game 3 defeat, surrendering a two-run homer to Chas McCormick in the second inning and leaving after loading the bases in the sixth inning. The two-run homer was a back-breaker, coming after a two-out error by Harrison Bader, and Lou Trivino allowed all three of Cole's inherited runners to score in the sixth. The 32-year-old Cole's only regular-season start against Houston had come June 25, when he threw seven strong innings while allowing one run, but he was unable to match that performance Saturday. Cole was 2-0 with two wins against the Guardians during the ALDS, but his loss in Game 3 brings him to 2-1 with a 2.98 ERA and 23 K's over 18.1 innings in the postseason.

Javier pitched 5.1 scoreless innings and got the win during Saturday's 5-0 victory over the Yankees in Game 3 of the ALCS, allowing one hit and three walks while striking out five.

Javier had only made one appearance in the 2022 postseason -- a 1.1-inning relief effort in the ALDS -- but he was tasked with the start in Yankee Stadium for Game 3 and excelled on the road. The 25-year-old came into the postseason with four consecutive scoreless starts of at least five innings, and he added another by limiting the powerful Yankees lineup to just one hit in 5.1 frames. Javier produced the best season of his three-year career with a 2.54 ERA, 0.95 WHIP and 194:52 K:BB across 148.2 innings this year, and he's now continuing that success in the playoffs.

Falter will start Game 4 of the NLCS against the Padres on Saturday, but he's only expected to pitch once through the order, Matt Gelb of The Athletic reports.

He gets the nod after it was Noah Syndergaard who got the start in Game 4 of the previous series, but Falter is unlikely to remain in the game long enough to make a significant fantasy impact. The Phillies will feel comfortable turning to their bullpen early Saturday, as they have Zack Wheeler and Aaron Nola lined up to start Games 5 and 6 (if necessary), respectively.

Suarez pitched five innings and earned the win during Friday's 4-2 victory over the Padres in Game 3 of the NLCS, surrendering one earned run on two hits and zero walks while striking out three.

Pitching in the postseason for only the second time in his career, Suarez was able to limit the Padres' offense and help give the Phillies a 2-1 advantage in the NLCS. The 27-year-old lefty was given a short leash Friday with just 68 pitches through five innings, but he did his job and allowed the bullpen to secure the win. In two starts, Suarez now has a 2.22 ERA and eight strikeouts over 8.1 innings in the postseason, which is impressive considering the southpaw became a full-time starter in 2022 after four seasons of mostly relieving.

Musgrove pitched 5.2 innings and took the loss during Friday's 4-2 defeat to the Phillies in Game 3 of the NLCS, allowing four runs on eight hits and two walks while striking out five.

Musgrove had a nightmare start to Game 3, giving up a leadoff homer to Kyle Schwarber in the first inning and walking the next two hitters, but he was able to escape the first with just one run allowed. The 29-year-old struggled with preventing hard contact Friday -- five of the eight hits he allowed were extra-base hits. Musgrove was pulled in the seventh after allowing back-to-back doubles by Alec Bohm and Nick Castellanos, ending his night with the most runs he has allowed in a start since early September. After quality starts against the Mets and Dodgers in the postseason, Musgrove looked primed to pitch well against the Phillies, but he underperformed Friday. His chances of pitching again in 2022 are up in the air as the Padres trail 2-1 in the series.

McCullers will start Game 4 of the ALCS against the Yankees on Sunday, Brian McTaggart of MLB.com reports.

The right-hander pitched Game 3 of the ALDS and fired six scoreless frames against the Mariners, but it will be Cristian Javier who takes the mound for the third game versus the Yankees. McCullers missed most of the year due to a forearm injury, but he pitched well after making his season debut Aug. 13 and finished with a 2.27 ERA, 1.24 WHIP and 50:22 K:BB across 47.2 innings. According to Mark Berman of KRIV 26 News, McCullers was pushed back after being struck in the elbow by a champagne bottle during the ALDS victory celebration, but he threw a bullpen session Friday without issue and is ready to pitch in New York.