MLB Player News
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JoJo Romero RP | STL
Cardinals' JoJo Romero: To start throwing next week
Romero (forearm) is slated to begin a throwing program next week, Jeff Jones of the Belleville News-Democrat reports.
Romero landed on the 15-day injured list during the final week of the regular season due to left forearm inflammation. However, as long as he can avoid setbacks, it would appear he is in line for his normal offseason routine. Romero held a 3.36 ERA, 1.15 WHIP and 51:16 K:BB over 59 innings for the Cardinals during the 2024 regular season.
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Sonny Gray SP | STL
Cardinals' Sonny Gray: Expected to have normal offseason
Gray is on track have a normal offseason after finishing the regular season on the 15-day injured list with right forearm flexor tendinitis, Jeff Jones of the Belleville News-Democrat reports.
Gray missed his final start of the season because of the forearm issue, but his offseason training is expected to be unaffected. The right-hander held a 3.84 ERA, 1.09 WHIP and 203:39 K:BB across 28 regular-season starts during his first year in St. Louis.
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Masyn Winn SS | STL
Cardinals' Masyn Winn: Has cyst removed from hand
Winn underwent surgery following the conclusion of the season to have a cyst removed from his hand, Jeff Jones of the Belleville News-Democrat reports.
It's not clear which hand was operated on, but it was a minor procedure which is not expected to affect his offseason workouts. Winn slashed .267/.314/.416 with 15 homers and 11 stolen bases over 150 regular-season games in his first full major-league season.
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Paul Blackburn SP | NYM
Mets' Paul Blackburn: Out up to five months post-surgery
Blackburn underwent surgery Oct. 11 to repair a cerebrospinal fluid leak, Will Sammon of The Athletic reports.
Per the Mets, it's a procedure which typically carries a return to play timeline of 4-5 months. That would seemingly give Blackburn a shot to be ready in time for Opening Day, provided there are no setbacks along the way. If healthy, Blackburn should open the 2025 season in the Mets' rotation. He held a 4.66 ERA and 59:21 K:BB over 75.1 innings covering 14 starts between the Athletics and Mets in 2024.
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Nico Hoerner 2B | CHC
Cubs' Nico Hoerner: Undergoes flexor tendon surgery
Hoerner underwent surgery Oct. 11 to repair his right flexor tendon, Meghan Montemurro of the Chicago Tribune reports.
It's not clear when Hoerner suffered the injury, nor did the Cubs offer a timetable for his recovery. The second baseman should be ready to roll come Opening Day, although it's possible he'll be eased into things in spring training. Hoerner slashed .273/.335/.373 with seven home runs and 31 stolen bases over 151 games for the Cubs in 2024.
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Gavin Lux 2B | LAD
Dodgers' Gavin Lux: Not in lineup for Game 6
Lux (hip) is absent from the Dodgers' lineup for Game 6 of the NLCS against the Mets on Sunday, Noah Camras of DodgersNation.com reports.
Manager Dave Roberts said Sunday that Lux is sitting not just because of the Mets sending southpaw Sean Manaea to the mound, but also because Lux is still not fully recovered from a hip flexor injury, per Jack Harris of the Los Angeles Times. Chris Taylor will start at second base for Game 6 of the NLCS, but Lux will be available off the bench.
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Chris Taylor LF | LAD
Dodgers' Chris Taylor: In lineup for Game 6
Taylor will start at second base and bat ninth for Game 6 of the NLCS against the Mets, Noah Camras of DodgersNation.com reports.
With Freddie Freeman (ankle) out of Sunday's lineup, Taylor will start at second base while Max Muncy and Enrique Hernandez man first and third base, respectively. Taylor started in Game 4 of the NLCS, during which he went 1-for-4 with one walk and one run scored.
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Max Muncy 3B | LAD
Dodgers' Max Muncy: Starting at first base for Game 6
Muncy will start at first base and bat fifth in Game 6 of the NLCS against the Mets on Sunday, Noah Camras of DodgersNation.com reports.
Enrique Hernandez will start at third base Sunday while Muncy shifts to first base due to Freddie Freeman (ankle) being absent from the starting lineup. Muncy has gone 5-for-13 with nine walks, two home runs and four RBI over the first five games of the NLCS.
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Enrique Hernandez 3B | LAD
Dodgers' Enrique Hernandez: Starting at third base for Game 6
Hernandez will start at third base and bat sixth for Game 6 of the NLCS against the Mets on Sunday, Noah Camras of DodgersNation.com reports.
With Freddie Freeman (ankle) out of the starting lineup for Game 6, Hernandez will serve at the hot corner while Max Muncy shifts to first base against Mets left-hander Sean Manaea. Through the first five games of the NLCS, Hernandez has gone 6-for-20 with two walks, one home run and three RBI.
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Will Smith C | LAD
Dodgers' Will Smith: Will start in Game 6
Smith (hand) will start behind home plate and bat eighth for Game 6 of the NLCS against the Mets on Sunday, Noah Camras of DodgersNation.com reports.
Smith received X-rays on his left hand after taking a foul ball off his glove in the seventh inning of Game 5. The results came back negative, and Smith will serve behind home plate as the Dodgers turn to Michael Kopech and the rest of the bullpen. Smith has gone 3-for-19 with two walks and two RBI during the NLCS.