MLB Player News

Melton allowed one run on two hits and one walk while striking out four over four innings in a no-decision against the Mariners on Saturday in Game 1 of the American League Division Series.

With his top three starters all unavailable for Game 1, manager A.J. Hinch turned to Melton to head up a bullpen game. The right-hander was efficient with his 57 pitches, at one point retiring seven batters in a row before serving up a solo homer to Julio Rodriguez to lead off the bottom of the fourth inning. Seven relievers followed Melton, including Keider Montero, who earned the save in extras and thus set the Tigers up extremely well with Tarik Skubal slated to start Game 2.

Kirby did not factor into the decision in Saturday's extra-innings loss to the Tigers in Game 1 of the ALDS. He allowed two runs on six hits and one walk while striking out eight over five innings.

Kirby was cruising and appeared to have some of his best command all season, but Kerry Carpenter turned a one-run Detroit deficit into a one-run Tigers lead with his home run with two outs in the fifth inning. The 27-year-old Kirby induced 16 swinging strikes on 94 pitches, extending an impressive run of dominance from September (31 strikeouts in his final 17.1 regular-season innings). He's not assured of another start this postseason, but Kirby lines up to toe the rubber at home Friday in Game 5.

Kirk went 2-for-4 with a pair of solo home runs during Saturday's 10-1 win over the Yankees in Game 1 of the ALDS.

Kirk sent a Luis Gil offering 392 feet into left field to give the Blue Jays a 2-0 lead in the second inning, and he provided some insurance by taking Paul Blackburn deep to lead off the eighth. The 26-year-old backstop finished the regular season with a career-high 15 homers and has now slugged five home runs across his last three contests.

Gil took the loss in Saturday's ALDS Game 1 against the Blue Jays after giving up two earned runs on four hits and zero walks while striking out two batters over 2.2 innings.

Both of the runs scored against Gil came via the long ball, as Vladimir Guerrero's first-inning homer and Alejandro Kirk's second-inning blast would prove to be all Toronto needed to ensure a victory during a 10-1 win over New York. It's unlikely that Gil makes another start during the ALDS, but because manager Aaron Boone pulled the plug on his outing after just 48 pitches, the 27-year-old righty may be available to pitch out of the bullpen within the next game or two.

Gausman picked up the win in Game 1 of the ALDS against the Yankees on Saturday, allowing one earned run on four hits and two walks while striking out three batters across 5.2 innings.

Gausman had allowed just two men to reach base over the first five innings before loading the bases with nobody out in the sixth. He then struck out Aaron Judge, walked Cody Bellinger to bring home the Yankees' lone run of the evening and induced a pop-up before turning the game over to Louis Varland to secure the final out of the frame. Gausman will likely be available to make his next start Friday in Game 5 if the series gets to that point.

Keith (ribs) will serve as the designated hitter and bat fifth in Saturday's ALDS Game 1 matchup against the Mariners.

Keith was officially added to the Tigers' ALDS roster Saturday after missing the wild-card round with rib-cage inflammation, and he's now been deemed fit enough to work as Detroit's designated hitter to begin the series. He'll make his 2025 postseason debut against George Kirby, whom he is 4-for-8 against in his MLB career.

Naylor (groin) will start at first base and bat fourth in Saturday's ALDS Game 1 matchup against the Tigers.

Groin soreness kept Naylor out of the lineup for the Mariners' final two regular-season games, but he's now feeling well enough to rejoin the starting nine for the beginning of the ALDS. The 28-year-old may still have to miss time during the series, however, as his wife is expected to go into labor in the very near future.

Robles (shoulder) will start in right field and bat eighth in Saturday's ALDS Game 1 matchup against the Tigers.

Robles sat out the Mariners' final few regular-season contests while nursing a left shoulder injury, but a first-round bye has given him enough time to recover and return for Game 1 of the ALDS. The 28-year-old outfielder has slashed .224/.278/.347 across 54 plate appearances since the beginning of September.

Keith (ribs) is listed on the Tigers' ALDS roster.

Keith landed on the injured list Sept. 19 due to right rib cage inflammation, and after sitting out the AL Wild Card Series versus Cleveland, the 24-year-old will now be available to play against Seattle in the ALDS. That being said, it remains unknown whether he will start Game 1 against the Mariners on Saturday. If he sits out, Zach McKinstry would likely continue to see action at the hot corner.

Bellinger (foot) will start in left field and bat third Saturday against the Blue Jays.

Bellinger jammed his left heel while running the bases during Thursday's game against the Red Sox, but the damage wasn't severe enough to keep him from starting Game 1 of the ALDS. The 30-year-old outfielder has gone 3-for-12 with two runs scored in the postseason so far.