MLB Player News

Kelly (shoulder) isn't expected to be able to pitch again this season unless the Dodgers reach the World Series, Eric Stephen of SBNation.com reports.

Per Fabian Ardaya of The Athletic, Kelly tweaked his shoulder in a simulated game this week. The issue explains why the right-handed reliever was left off Los Angeles' NLDS roster. Though Kelly posted an unimpressive 4.78 ERA and 1.47 WHIP over 32 innings during the regular season, he recorded a 9.8 K/9 and tied for third on the team with 13 holds.

Kershaw's injured toe has not improved, and he won't be available to pitch again in 2024 regardless of how far the Dodgers advance in the playoffs, Bill Plunkett of The Orange County Register reports.

Kershaw is dealing with a bone spur in his left big toe and hasn't pitched since Aug. 30. Dodgers manager Dave Roberts indicated Saturday that the issue may have gotten worse as the veteran southpaw has tried to prepare for a return, and that will prevent Kershaw from pitching again this season. The future Hall of Famer was limited to a career-low seven appearances in 2024 and posted a 4.50 ERA, 1.50 WHIP and 24:9 K:BB over 30 innings.

Freeman (ankle) isn't certain to play in Game 1 of the NLDS, and manager Dave Roberts said Saturday that he is "not as hopeful" about the first baseman's status as he was Friday, Bill Shaikin of the Los Angeles Times reports.

Freeman told reporters Friday that he intends to play in the first game of the Division Series, but Roberts' comments one day later suggest that such a scenario is far from certain. It's not clear if Freeman has suffered a setback or if he was being overly optimistic when he said he expected to play, and it's worth noting that the severity of his sprain --- which he suffered just over a week ago -- typically has a recovery period of 4-to-6 weeks. Freeman is on the Dodgers' NLDS roster, but if he's unable to play Saturday, Enrique Hernandez could get the start at first base.

Grove is included on the Dodgers' roster for the NLDS versus San Diego.

Grove recorded 39 appearances -- including two starts -- during the regular season and posted a 5.12 ERA, 1.22 WHIP and 54:16 K:BB over 51 innings. The right-hander was sent to the minors in mid-September but was activated Saturday to serve as a relief option for this playoff round. Grove will give Los Angeles a bit of length out of the bullpen, as 14 of his 39 outings during the campaign went longer than one inning.

Jacob has a spot on the Padres' roster for the National League Division Series against the Dodgers.

Jacob was optioned to Triple-A El Paso in late September, though that came after the minor-league season had concluded. The righty reliever spent most of the campaign with El Paso but logged seven appearances over two stints with San Diego, posting a 2.45 ERA, 0.75 WHIP and 19:2 K:BB over 14.2 innings. Jacob pitched more than one inning in five of the seven outings and topped out at 3.2 frames against Tampa Bay on Aug. 31.

Perez is part of the Padres' roster for the National League Division Series versus the Dodgers.

Perez wasn't part of San Diego's roster for the wild-card round versus Atlanta, as the team didn't need him as part of the rotation for the three-game set. However, Perez will be available for the NLDS and could start Game 4 of the series since Joe Musgrove (elbow) is out for the remainder of the postseason and beyond as he prepares for Tommy John surgery. Perez was inconsistent for the Padres during the regular season and finished with a 4.53 ERA, 1.48 WHIP and 107:49 K:BB over 135 innings.

Kershaw (toe) does not have a roster spot for the NLDS versus San Diego.

Kershaw's absence from the roster doesn't come as a surprise, as the veteran left-hander is still recovering from a toe injury. There is a possibility that he could play if the Dodgers advance to the NLCS or World Series, though that's far from a guarantee. The starting pitchers included on Los Angeles' NLDS roster include Jack Flaherty, Yoshinobu Yamamoto, Walker Buehler and Landon Knack.

Kelly is not included on the Dodgers' roster for the National League Division Series against San Diego.

Kelly had a shoulder injury that sidelined him late in the season, but he was able to return from the injured list Sept. 18 and gave up only one run while posting a 5:2 K:BB over 3.1 innings thereafter. However, the right-handed reliever won't be an option out of the bullpen for Los Angeles during the NLDS. The Dodgers gave a roster spot to hard-throwing rookie Edgardo Henriquez, who logged just three regular-season appearances.

Megill is on the Mets' roster for the NLDS versus Philadelphia.

Megill was left off New York's roster for the wild-card round, but he's active for the NLDS. The right-hander started 15 of the 16 games in which he pitched during the regular season and compiled a 4.04 ERA, 1.31 WHIP and 91:32 K:BB over 78 total innings. Megill will likely work in long relief against the Phillies and could be used in that capacity in Game 1 with Kodai Senga likely on a limited pitch count.

Blackburn (back) was transferred to the 60-day injured list Saturday, per MLB's transaction log.

Blackburn was placed on the 15-day injured list in late August due to a hand injury. He subsequently suffered a back issue and was diagnosed with a spinal fluid leak in mid-September. Blackburn's move to the 60-day IL officially ends his 2024 season. The transaction also clears way on the Mets' 40-man roster for Kodai Senga, who was activated from the 60-day IL in a corresponding move and is set to start Game 1 of the NLDS against the Phillies.