MLB Player News
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Roki Sasaki P | LAD
Dodgers' Roki Sasaki: Secures second save of NLDS
Sasaki recorded a one-out save in Game 2 of the National League Division Series against the Phillies on Monday.
Sasaki tallied a traditional save in Saturday's Game 1, but skipper Dave Roberts called on the right-hander with two outs in the bottom of the ninth Monday with runners on first and third in a one-run game. Sasaki needed only two pitches to retire Trea Turner, inducing a grounder to second baseman Tommy Edman to record the final out of the matchup. Sasaki could very well be in position to handle closing duties moving forward after Blake Treinen was rocked for two runs on three hits while failing to record an out Monday.
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Justin Turner 1B | CHC
Cubs' Justin Turner: Getting start at first base
Turner will start at first base and bat leadoff Monday in Game 2 of the NLDS in Milwaukee, Meghan Montemurro of the Chicago Tribune reports.
The right-handed-hitting Turner is expected to get one plate appearance against lefty opener Aaron Ashby before being replaced by the left-handed-swinging Michael Busch. Turner slashed .219/.288/.314 in 80 games for the Cubs this season and will be making his first appearance this postseason.
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Michael Busch 3B | CHC
Cubs' Michael Busch: Likely mid-game entrant in Game 2
Busch is not in the lineup Monday for Game 2 of the NLDS against the Brewers, Meghan Montemurro of the Chicago Tribune reports.
The Brewers are starting a left-handed opener in Aaron Ashby, so the Cubs are going with the right-handed-hitting Justin Turner at first base and in the leadoff spot. Per Montemurro, Busch is likely to replace Turner after the latter receives one plate appearance and the Brewers bring a right-hander into the game. Busch has homered in each of his last two postseason contests.
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Jackson Chourio CF | MIL
Brewers' Jackson Chourio: In Game 2 lineup at leadoff
Chourio (hamstring) will start in left field and bat leadoff Monday in Game 2 of the NLDS against the Cubs, Adam McCalvy of MLB.com reports.
Chourio had to depart Game 1 on Saturday in the second inning due to right hamstring tightness. It's the same hamstring he strained earlier this season that kept him out of commission for a month, but an MRI came back inconclusive this time around and he's been cleared to play Monday. Before exiting Game 1, Chourio had gone 3-for-3 at the plate.
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Otto Kemp 3B | PHI
Phillies' Otto Kemp: Drawing start in left field
Kemp will start in left field and bat ninth Monday in Game 2 of the NLDS versus the Dodgers.
With Harrison Bader (groin) out of the lineup, Brandon Marsh will shift to center field and Kemp will enter the fray in left field. It will be the postseason debut for Kemp, who slashed .234/.298/.411 with eight home runs in 62 regular-season contests for the Phillies.
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Harrison Bader CF | PHI
Phillies' Harrison Bader: Not in lineup but could pinch hit
Bader (groin) is not in the lineup Monday for Game 2 of the NLDS against the Dodgers.
Bader had to exit Game 1 on Saturday with left groin tightness and is not well enough to return to the lineup. Phillies manager Rob Thomson said that Bader will hit in the cage pregame and could be available off the bench as a pinch hitter, Charlotte Varnes of The Athletic reports. Brandon Marsh will start in center field and will be flanked by Nick Castellanos in right field and Otto Kemp in left field.
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Max Muncy 3B | LAD
Dodgers' Max Muncy: Sitting against Luzardo
Muncy is absent from the lineup Monday for Game 2 of the NLDS against the Phillies.
With the Phillies sending left-hander Jesus Luzardo to the bump, the left-handed-hitting Muncy will begin the contest on the bench. Miguel Rojas will start at third base and bat seventh for the Dodgers. There's a good chance Muncy will enter Game 2 at some point when/if the Phillies turn to a righty.
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Will Smith C | LAD
Dodgers' Will Smith: Out of lineup again for Game 2
Smith (hand) remains out of the lineup Monday for Game 2 of the NLDS against the Phillies.
Smith hasn't started a game in nearly a month due to a fractured right hand, though he did pinch hit in Game 1 and remained in the contest to catch. He'll be available off the bench again for Game 2, but the Dodgers aren't ready to put him back into the starting lineup just yet. Smith caught Yoshinobu Yamamoto's bullpen session pregame, and manager Dave Roberts said Smith is trending toward starting at catcher in Game 3 on Wednesday, Fabian Ardaya of The Athletic reports. Ben Rortvedt is catching and batting ninth for the Dodgers on Monday.
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Ryan Brasier RP | CHC
Cubs' Ryan Brasier: Working out, not yet activated
Brasier (groin) has rejoined the Cubs since his rehab assignment at Triple-A Iowa concluded in September when the minor-league season ended, but he has yet to be activated for the postseason, MLB.com reports.
Brasier landed on the 15-day injured list Aug. 22 due to a left groin strain, but he was able to make three appearances for Iowa in September and looks to be back to full health. However, the Cubs opted not to reinstate Brasier for the final week of the regular season nor for the wild-card round or NLDS, and it may take an injury to another pitcher later in the postseason in order for him to be added back to the 26-man active roster. Brasier made 28 appearances for the Cubs during the regular season, logging a 4.50 ERA, 1.23 WHIP and 20:5 K:BB in 26 innings.
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Miguel Amaya C | CHC
Cubs' Miguel Amaya: Unlikely to play in playoffs
Amaya (ankle) rejoined the Cubs following the end of the minor-league season and is considered healthy and available to play, but Chicago has no current plans to activate him for their playoff run, MLB.com reports.
Amaya missed two and a half months earlier in the season while recovering from a left oblique strain, then landed back on the injured list in mid-August after spraining his left ankle in his first game back in action with the Cubs. The 26-year-old backstop was able to play in four rehab games with Triple-A Iowa before the minor-league concluded, but Chicago didn't activate him from the IL until after the regular season ended. Amaya is seemingly fully healed from the ankle injury, but unless the Cubs lose one of Carson Kelly or Reese McGuire at any point during the playoffs, Amaya doesn't look as though he'll play again in 2025.