MLB Player News
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Alex Cobb SP | CLE
Guardians' Alex Cobb: Activated from IL for ALDS
Cobb (finger) is included on the Guardians' ALDS roster.
Cobb ended the regular season on the injured list due to a right finger blister, but his inclusion on the roster for the division series versus the Tigers suggests he's recovered. It's unclear if Cobb will be asked to start a game during the series or if he will serve as an option out of the bullpen. The right-hander posted a 2.76 ERA, 1.04 WHIP and 10:3 K:BB over 16.1 innings across three starts during the regular season.
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Ben Lively SP | CLE
Guardians' Ben Lively: Left off ALDS roster
Lively is not included on the Guardians' roster for the American League Division Series versus Detroit.
Lively was a key part of Cleveland's rotation during the regular season, posting a 3.81 ERA, 1.25 WHIP and 118:49 K:BB over 151 innings across 29 starts while going 13-10. He had a few poor starts near the end of the campaign and logged a 4.53 ERA along with a 1.39 WHIP over the final two months, which may have played a part in the decision to leave him off roster for the ALDS. The starting pitchers on Cleveland's ALDS roster include Tanner Bibee, Gavin Williams, Matthew Boyd and Alex Cobb (finger).
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Matthew Boyd SP | CLE
Guardians' Matthew Boyd: In line to start Game 2 of ALDS
Boyd is expected to start for Cleveland in Game 2 of the ALDS versus Detroit, Chris McCosky of The Detroit News reports.
It will be a revenge game for Boyd, who pitched for the Tigers from 2015 to 2021 and again in 2023. The left-hander joined the Guardians for the 2024 campaign and began the season on the IL with an elbow injury before making his Cleveland debut Aug. 13. In the majors, Boyd registered a 2.72 ERA, 1.13 WHIP and 46:13 K:BB over 39.2 innings across eight starts. Ben Lively, who made 29 starts for Cleveland during the campaign, was left off the team's ALDS roster.
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Keider Montero SP | DET
Tigers' Keider Montero: Back on roster for ALDS
Montero is part of the Tigers' roster for the American League Division Series versus Cleveland.
Montero wasn't included on Detroit's roster for the AL Wild Card Series against the Astros, but he's active for the ALDS and could potentially start in Game 3 or serve in bulk relief. The right-hander was inconsistent during the regular season and finished with a 4.76 ERA, 1.33 WHIP and 77:31 K:BB over 98.1 innings across 19 contests, 16 of which were starts. Casey Mize, who was on Detroit's wild-card roster, is inactive for the ALDS in order to make room for Montero.
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Casey Mize SP | DET
Tigers' Casey Mize: Not on ALDS roster
Mize isn't included on the Tigers' ALDS roster.
Mize was a starter for Detroit for much of the campaign but moved to the bullpen for his final two appearances of the regular season. The right-hander struggled in that role, giving up three runs over 3.1 innings, which may have contributed to the Tigers' decision to make him inactive for the division series. Keider Montero was added to the team's ALDS roster after being inactive for the wild-card series versus Houston.
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Alex Verdugo LF | NYY
Yankees' Alex Verdugo: Expected to start in Game 1
Verdugo is expected to start in left field for Game 1 of the ALDS against the Royals on Saturday, Andy Martino of SNY.tv reports.
Verdugo split starts in left field with Jasson Dominguez toward the end of the regular season after the latter was recalled from Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes Barre on Sept. 9. The duo had a similar slash line during that split, but it appears manager Aaron Boone will go with the veteran Verdugo for Game 1 of the ALDS. Verdugo's lone postseason appearance was in 2021 with the Red Sox, when he slashed .310/.383/.452 with one home run and six RBI across 47 plate appearances.
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Anthony Rizzo 1B | NYY
Yankees' Anthony Rizzo: Not part of ALDS roster
Rizzo (fingers) said he will not be included on the Yankees' ALDS roster for the team's matchup with the Royals, Bryan Hoch of MLB.com reports.
Two of Rizzo's fingers on his right hand were fractured after he was hit by a pitch in the penultimate game of the regular season, and he has yet to resume baseball activities, per Bryan Hoch of MLB.com. RIzzo admitted Friday that he hadn't progressed far enough in his recovery to contribute at a high level, though he did express optimism that he could return should the Yankees make it to the ALCS, according to Meredith Marakovits of YES Network. Ben Rice and Oswaldo Cabrera will likely serve as the Yankees' main options at first base in the ALDS.
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Tarik Skubal SP | DET
Tigers' Tarik Skubal: All set for ALDS Game 2 start
Skubal (hamstring) will start Monday in Game 2 of the ALDS versus the Guardians, Evan Woodbery of MLive.com reports.
Skubal was lifted from his wild-card series start against the Astros after six scoreless innings and 88 pitches due to some hamstring cramping, but he was never in any danger of missing his first start of the ALDS. Tyler Holton will be the opener for the Tigers in Game 1 before Skubal takes the ball in Game 2 on five days rest.
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Tyler Holton RP | DET
Tigers' Tyler Holton: Will be opener in Game 1
Holton will serve as the Tigers' opening pitcher Saturday for Game 1 of the ALDS in Cleveland, Cody Stavenhagen of The Athletic reports.
Holton pitched in both games of the wild-card series versus the Astros, including as an opener in Game 2. That means he will technically be "starting" back-to-back postseason games for the Tigers, but the bullpen will be heavily involved Saturday.
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Brent Rooker DH | OAK
Athletics' Brent Rooker: Undergoes forearm surgery
Athletics general manager David Forst revealed Friday that Rooker underwent right forearm extensor surgery Tuesday, Martin Gallegos of MLB.com reports.
Rooker evidently dealt with discomfort in his elbow/forearm for the bulk of the season. It certainly didn't affect his performance at the plate, as he posted a .927 OPS with 39 home runs, but it could be at least part of the reason he didn't start a game in the outfield after May. Rooker is expected to be 100 percent healthy for the start of spring training.