MLB Player News

Freeman (ankle) said Thursday that he feels "really good" about his chances of being in the lineup Friday for Game 5 of the NLCS versus the Mets, Fabian Ardaya of The Athletic reports.

The Dodgers elected to hold Freeman out of Game 4 on Thursday so that he didn't have to play back-to-back days as he deals with a painful right ankle injury. He was available off the bench however, and it sounds like he'll be back in there Friday as the Dodgers look to close out the series.

Peterson will start Game 5 of the NLCS against the Dodgers on Friday, Pat Ragazzo of SI.com reports.

Peterson last pitched in Game 1 of the NLCS, though he's appeared exclusively out of the bullpen throughout the playoffs. He has yet to complete more than three innings in any of his six postseason appearances, and Kodai Senga sounds likely to also play a significant part of the Mets' plans Friday.

Winker is not in the lineup Thursday for Game 4 of the NLCS versus the Dodgers.

J.D. Martinez will receive a second straight start at designated hitter after walking twice and striking out twice in four plate appearances in Game 3. Winker is slashing .267/.476/.600 with one home run this postseason.

Taylor is not in the lineup Thursday for Game 4 of the NLCS against the Dodgers.

Taylor had started each of the last five games and nine of 10 contests this postseason, but he will begin Thursday's festivities on the bench as the Mets look to even the series. Harrison Bader is in center field and batting eighth.

Lux is absent from the lineup Thursday for Game 4 of the NLCS versus the Mets, Mike DiGiovanna of the Los Angeles Times reports.

It's southpaw Jose Quintana on the bump for the Mets, so the left-handed-hitting Lux will begin the contest on the bench. Chris Taylor is occupying second base and batting ninth for the Dodgers.

Freeman (ankle) is not in the lineup Thursday for Game 4 of the NLCS against the Mets, Mike DiGiovanna of the Los Angeles Times reports.

Dodgers manager Dave Roberts had said previously that he expected Freeman -- who has been playing through discomfort in his right ankle -- to start every game during the NLCS. It's not clear yet whether Freeman has experienced a setback or if Roberts decided Game 4 was a good day to get the first baseman a little rest since the Mets are starting a lefty in Jose Quintana. Max Muncy is handling first base Thursday while Enrique Hernandez plays third.

Rojas said Wednesday that he has a sports hernia and will need to undergo surgery during the offseason, Mike DiGiovanna of the Los Angeles Times reports.

Rojas noted that he attempted to persuade the Dodgers to keep him on the roster for the NLCS despite his injury, and he feels that he could still play through it if Los Angeles advances to the World Series. However, based on the team's unwillingness to play him against the Mets, it seems more likely that the 35-year-old infielder remains sidelined until next season.

Manager Dave Roberts said Wednesday that Hudson will be available for Game 3 of the NLCS against the Mets on Wednesday after dealing with a lower-body injury in Game 2, Bill Shaikin of the Los Angeles Times reports.

Hudson pitched a scoreless inning during Game 1 but was apparently unavailable for Game 2 due to an injury that wasn't disclosed beforehand. The discomfort seems to have subsided, and the 37-year-old righty will be able to pitch in high-leverage situations after logging 10 saves and posting a 3.00 ERA during the regular season.

Flaherty will start in Game 5 of the NLCS against the Mets on Friday, Bob Nightengale of USA Today reports.

Flaherty was dominant in Game 1 of the series, striking out six batters over seven shutout innings en route to a 9-0 victory. He'll look to put on a similar performance Friday against a Mets offense that owns a .698 OPS across nine postseason contests.

Mets manager Carlos Mendoza said Wednesday that Senga will pitch Friday in Game 5 of the NLCS versus the Dodgers, although not necessarily as the starter, Tim Healey of Newsday reports.

Senga started Game 1 of the NLCS and struggled mightily, allowing three runs with a 0:4 K:BB over 1.1 innings. While Mendoza is committed to giving the right-hander another shot in Game 5, it appears it could come as a reliever.