MLB Player News
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Nestor Cortes SP | NYY
Yankees' Nestor Cortes: Throwing live batting practice
Cortes (elbow) will throw a live batting practice session Wednesday, Greg Joyce of the New York Post reports.
It will be something of a hybrid bullpen session/live batting practice session, as Cortes is slated to throw 10-to-15 pitches off the bullpen mound before throwing another 10-to-15 to hitters. If all goes well, Cortes could face hitters again this weekend. The southpaw has been out since late September with a flexor strain but has a chance to be on the Yankees' World Series roster, should they advance. Cortes hasn't started a game in nearly a month, so if he does return for the World Series, it seems likely to be as a reliever.
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Masataka Yoshida DH | BOS
Red Sox's Masataka Yoshida: Undergoes shoulder surgery
Yoshida underwent surgery Oct. 3 to repair a labral tear in his right shoulder, Ian Browne of MLB.com reports.
The hope is that Yoshida will be ready in time for Opening Day, although it's not clear how limited, if at all, he will be during spring training. Yoshida slashed .280/.349/.415 with 10 home runs over 108 games for Boston this season as its full-time designated hitter.
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Colton Cowser LF | BAL
Orioles' Colton Cowser: Undergoes hand surgery
Cowser had successful surgery on his fractured hand Tuesday, Andy Kostka of TheBaltimoreBanner.com reports.
Cowser fractured his left hand in Game 2 of the American League Wild Card Series versus the Royals on Oct. 2, the game in which the Orioles were eliminated. Given the timing of the injury, Cowser is expected to have enough recovery time to be ready for the start of spring training.
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Ben Lively SP | CLE
Guardians' Ben Lively: Added to ALCS roster
The Guardians added Lively to their ALCS roster Tuesday.
He's taking the roster spot vacated by Alex Cobb, who is now out for the remainder of the postseason with a back injury. Lively hasn't made an appearance since his final start of the regular season back on Sept. 28, but he's a candidate to make a start during the ALCS in Cobb's place.
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Alex Cobb SP | CLE
Guardians' Alex Cobb: Off ALCS roster due to back injury
The Guardians removed Cobb from their ALCS roster due to an acute left low-back strain.
Cobb lasted 2.2 innings in his Game 1 start against the Yankees, getting charged with three runs on five hits and three walks. Because he's being removed from the roster due to injury, he is now ineligible for the World Series, should the Guardians advance. Ben Lively has absorbed Cobb's roster spot and might also get an ALCS start in his place.
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Chris Stratton RP | KC
Royals' Chris Stratton: On track for start of spring
Stratton (forearm) is expected to be healthy for the beginning of spring training, Anne Rogers of MLB.com reports.
Stratton missed the final couple weeks of the regular season and the playoffs with a right flexor strain, but he's expected to recover with an offseason of rest. The veteran reliever holds a $4.5 million player option for 2025, which he seems likely to exercise after posting a lackluster 5.55 ERA and 44:33 K:BB over 58.1 innings in 2024.
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James McArthur RP | KC
Royals' James McArthur: Expected to be ready for spring
McArthur (elbow) is expected to be ready for the start of spring training, Anne Rogers of MLB.com reports.
McArthur was diagnosed with a Grade 1 UCL sprain in his right elbow in mid-September, resulting in a premature end to his season. While a Grade 1 sprain is the least severe, there is always going to be some long-term concern when UCL damage is involved. For now, though, the expectation is McArthur will be ready for spring training after some rest and rehab.
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Adam Frazier 2B | KC
Royals' Adam Frazier: Undergoing thumb surgery
Frazier will undergo surgery on his right thumb this week, Anne Rogers of MLB.com reports.
Frazier strained the thumb back in June and required a brief injured-list stint at the time. The exact nature of the procedure he will have isn't clear, but Frazier should be fully healthy well ahead of spring training. The utility player has an $8.5 million mutual option for 2025.
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Anthony Rizzo 1B | NYY
Yankees' Anthony Rizzo: Should start again in Game 2
Rizzo fared well in Game 1 of the ALCS against the Guardians and is expected to be in the starting lineup Tuesday for Game 2, Bryan Hoch of MLB.com reports.
Rizzo picked up a single and drew a walk in Monday's series opener, and skipper Aaron Boone noted after the game that he pulled the veteran first baseman after he seemed emotionally drained, per Hoch. Rizzo suffered two fractured fingers on his right hand during the penultimate game of the regular season. The training staff will likely check on Rizzo again Tuesday morning, but all signs point to him being back in the starting nine for Tuesday's clash.
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David Banuelos C | BAL
Orioles' David Banuelos: Re-signs on NRI deal
The Orioles re-signed Banuelos to a minor-league contract Monday that includes an invitation to spring training, Roch Kubatko of MASNSports.com reports.
Banuelos had a couple brief stints in the majors in 2024, receiving one plate appearance. He slashed .225/.360/.352 with two homers in 22 contests with Triple-A Norfolk and is likely headed back there to begin the 2025 campaign.