MLB Player News

Red Sox manager Alex Cora said Tuesday that Early would likely start a potential Game 3 of the American League Wild Card Series versus the Yankees, Tim Healey of The Boston Globe reports.

Early became the most likely candidate to take the ball in Game 3 after Lucas Giolito (elbow) went down, and Cora has confirmed it will indeed be the lefty, barring something unforeseen. The rookie collected a 2.33 ERA, 1.09 WHIP and 29:4 K:BB across 19.1 innings covering four September starts for the Red Sox.

Red Sox manager Alex Cora said Tuesday that while Giolito's right elbow injury is not as bad as the team feared it might be, the hurler is unlikely to be available at any point during the postseason, Tim Healey of The Boston Globe reports.

Giolito seems to have been cleared of any structural damage after a visit with Dr. Jeffrey Dugas, but the right-hander needs extended rest, so he's done for the season even if the Red Sox make a deep postseason run. It's poor timing for the Red Sox and also Giolito, who will enter free agency this winter. Giolito had a nice bounce-back 2025 campaign, posting a 3.41 ERA and 121:56 K:BB over 145 frames, but he'll head into the free-agent market with health questions.

Yoshida is absent from the lineup Tuesday in Game 1 of the American League Wild Card Series against the Yankees.

It will be lefty Max Fried on the bump for the Yankees, so the left-handed-hitting Yoshida will retreat to the bench to begin the contest. Rob Refsnyder is starting at designated hitter and batting leadoff for the Red Sox.

McMahon is not in the lineup Tuesday for Game 1 of the American League Wild Card Series against the Red Sox.

With tough southpaw Garrett Crochet on the hill for the Red Sox, the lefty-swinging McMahon will grab a seat. Jose Caballero will play third base and bat ninth for the Yankees.

Chisholm is absent from the lineup Tuesday for Game 1 of the American League Wild Card Series versus the Red Sox.

The left-handed-hitting Chisholm was an everyday player for the Yankees this season, but with tough southpaw Garrett Crochet on the bump for the Red Sox, Chisholm will yield to Amed Rosario at second base. For what it's worth, Chisholm is 0-for-4 with a 1:3 BB:K in his career versus Crochet.

Lowe is not in the lineup Tuesday for Game 1 of the American League Wild Card Series versus the Yankees.

It's southpaw Max Fried on the bump for the Yankees, so the left-handed-hitting Lowe will begin the festivities on the bench. Romy Gonzalez will handle first base and bat cleanup for the Red Sox.

Abreu is not in the lineup Tuesday for Game 1 of the American League Wild Card Series against the Yankees.

With lefty Max Fried drawing the start for the Yankees, the left-handed-swinging Abreu will yield to Nate Eaton in right field. Abreu went just 3-for-21 with eight strikeouts down the stretch of the regular season after returning from a calf injury.

Butler will meet with a doctor to determine whether surgery is required to repair a patellar tendon strain in his right knee, Martin Gallegos of MLB.com reports.

Butler played through the injury for the last couple weeks of the regular season. If he does need surgery on the knee, it's unclear at this juncture how long his rehab would take. Butler finished the 2025 campaign having slashed .234/.306/.404 with 21 home runs and 22 stolen bases over 152 contests.

Gil is not part of the Yankees' wild-card roster.

The Yankees are going with Max Fried, Carlos Rodon and Cam Schlittler as their three starters in the American League Wild Card Series against the Red Sox, and they've decided against including Gil on the roster as a reliever. Will Warren is on the roster as a reliever, and either Warren or Gil could be added back to the rotation if the Yankees advance to the ALDS.

Naylor is absent from the lineup Tuesday in Game 1 of the American League Wild Card Series versus the Tigers.

With lefty ace Tarik Skubal toeing the slab for the Tigers, the left-handed-hitting Naylor will begin the contest on the bench. The Guardians are going with Austin Hedges at catcher Tuesday.