MLB Player News
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Paul Goldschmidt 1B | NYY
Yankees' Paul Goldschmidt: Not starting versus lefty
Goldschmidt is not in the lineup Thursday for Game 3 of the American League Wild Card Series versus the Red Sox.
Goldschmidt typically starts against all left-handers, but he will begin this contest on the bench as the Red Sox send southpaw Connelly Early to the hill. The left-handed-swinging Ben Rice -- who homered as part of a two-hit day in Game 2 -- will occupy first base for the Yankees.
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Dane Dunning RP | ATL
Dane Dunning: Reaches free agency
Dunning elected to become a free agent Thursday, David O'Brien of The Athletic reports.
After being removed from Atlanta's 40-man roster, Dunning has exercised his right to free agency rather than accepting an outright assignment. The 30-year-old swingman has managed just a 5.60 ERA over 15 starts and 23 relief appearances at the big-league level since 2024.
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Jarred Kelenic RF | ATL
Jarred Kelenic: Hits free agency
Kelenic elected to become a free agent Thursday, David O'Brien of The Athletic reports.
Kelenic has refused Atlanta's outright assignment, choosing to become a free agent instead. The former top prospect slashed only .222/.279/.381 during his two seasons in Atlanta and hit just .167/.231/.300 in 24 games with Triple-A Gwinnett in 2025. Kelenic is still just 26, so he'll get another chance elsewhere, but it's unlikely he'll be guaranteed a regular role in 2026.
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Alexis Diaz RP | TEX
Alexis Diaz: Becomes free agent
Diaz elected to become a free agent Thursday, David O'Brien of The Athletic reports.
Diaz had been booted off Atlanta's 40-man roster, and he will exercise his right to free agency rather than accepting an outright assignment. The former closer held an 8.15 ERA and 1.53 WHIP over 17.2 innings at the big-league level in 2025 and might have to accept a minor-league contract this offseason.
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Jacob Misiorowski SP | MIL
Brewers' Jacob Misiorowski: Pegged for relief role in NLDS
Misiorowski is expected to be used in a relief role by the Brewers in the NLDS, Adam McCalvy of MLB.com reports.
After a brilliant start to his major-league career, Misiorowski stumbled to the finish line, posting a 6.06 ERA, 1.53 WHIP and 40:17 K:BB over his final 32.2 innings. That includes his lone appearance out of the bullpen in his final outing of the regular season, during which he was charged with two runs (one earned) with a 3:3 K:BB over 2.1 frames. The Brewers aren't sure which version of Misiorowski they're going to get, but his upside warrants a spot on the NLDS roster. Misiorowski could offer Milwaukee some length in the middle of games or be used as a late-inning weapon in a spot where a strikeout is needed.
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Parker Meadows CF | DET
Tigers' Parker Meadows: Demoted to nine spot
Meadows will start in center field and bat ninth in Thursday's Game 3 of the American League Wild Card Series versus the Guardians.
The Guardians are sending righty Slade Cecconi to the bump, but the left-handed-swinging Meadows has nonetheless been pushed from the leadoff spot all the way to the bottom of the batting order. Meadows has gone 1-for-8 with a 1:3 BB:K in the first two games of the series. Gleyber Torres -- who typically bats second -- will hit leadoff for the Tigers in Thursday's elimination game.
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Spencer Torkelson 1B | DET
Tigers' Spencer Torkelson: Good to go for Game 3
Torkelson (foot) will start at first base and bat cleanup Thursday in Game 3 of the American League Wild Card Series against the Guardians.
Torkelson had X-rays after fouling a ball off his foot in Game 2 and also was hit on the hand/wrist by a pitch, but he's ready to roll for Thursday's winner-take-all tilt. The 26-year-old is 1-for-6 with one RBI and a 1:3 BB:K in the first two games of the series.
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Shane McClanahan SP | TB
Rays' Shane McClanahan: Expected to be healthy for camp
Rays president of baseball operations Erik Neander said Tuesday that he expects McClanahan (triceps) to be "fully ready" for the start of spring training, Marc Topkin of the Tampa Bay Times reports.
McClanahan was limited to just two rehab starts in 2025 due to a nerve issue in his left triceps, an injury which eventually required surgery in August. The expectation is that he will have a relatively normal offseason and be on a regular pitching schedule for spring training. That said, it's an uncommon injury McClanahan is coming back from, and the fact that he experienced numerous starts and stops this season should give fantasy managers pause with the southpaw heading into 2026. McClanahan hasn't pitched in a major-league game since August 2023, having gone Tommy John surgery that month, so he could have some workload restrictions in 2026 even if he's healthy, Neander acknowledged.
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Bo Bichette SS | NYM
Blue Jays' Bo Bichette: Unlikely to play in ALDS
Bichette (knee) is "increasingly unlikely" to be included on the Blue Jays' ALDS roster, Rob Longley of the Toronto Sun reports.
Bichette is coming along slowly but surely in his recovery from a PCL sprain in his left knee and has not yet officially been ruled out for the ALDS. However, the shortstop has yet to be cleared to resume running, so it's not a surprise to hear he's a long shot to play in the ALDS. Bichette could make it back in time for the ALCS, should the Blue Jays advance. With Bichette shelved, Toronto will continue to roll with Andres Gimenez at shortstop.
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David Bednar RP | NYY
Yankees' David Bednar: Tallies first postseason save
Bednar pitched a perfect ninth inning while striking out two batters to pick up the save during Wednesday's 4-3 win over the Red Sox.
After giving up two hits and a run over two-thirds of an inning in Game 1, Bednar was summoned to handle the ninth for the second time in as many days. He was much more effective this time around, striking out Wilyer Abreu and Jarren Duran before getting Ceddanne Rafaela to fly out to right field to end the game. Bednar posted a 2.19 ERA and 0.93 WHIP in the regular season after joining the Yankees at the trade deadline and figures to be manager Aaron Boone's go-to option in save situations for the remainder of New York's postseason run.