MLB Player News
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Jack Flaherty SP | LAD
Dodgers' Jack Flaherty: Penciled in for Game 5
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.
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Kodai Senga SP | NYM
Mets' Kodai Senga: Could pitch in relief in Game 5
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.
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J.D. Martinez DH | NYM
Mets' J.D. Martinez: Getting start at DH
Martinez will start at designated hitter and bat sixth Wednesday in Game 3 of the NLCS versus the Dodgers.
Jesse Winker was in the DH slot in each of the first two games of the series, but Martinez will get a shot Wednesday against right-hander Walker Buehler. It's Martinez's first start since Game 4 of the NLDS and his fourth start in 10 games this postseason for the Mets.
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Jesse Winker RF | NYM
Mets' Jesse Winker: Absent from Game 3 lineup
Winker is not in the lineup Wednesday for Game 3 of the NLCS against the Dodgers.
Winker has typically been starting at designated hitter against right-handed pitching, but he will begin this one on the bench versus righty Walker Buehler. The Mets will go with J.D. Martinez at DH and in the No. 6 spot in the lineup.
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Gavin Lux 2B | LAD
Dodgers' Gavin Lux: Back in lineup for Game 3
Lux (hip) will start at second base and bat sixth Wednesday in Game 3 of the NLCS versus the Mets.
Lux had to depart Game 1 and didn't play Game 2 because of hip flexor tightness, but he's feeling well enough to give it a go Wednesday. The 26-year-old is 5-for-19 with one home run in six contests so far this postseason.
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Michael Fulmer RP | BOS
Red Sox's Michael Fulmer: Throwing off mound
Fulmer (elbow) has begun throwing off a mound, Rob Bradford of WEEI.com reports.
Fulmer is coming up on the one-year anniversary of his UCL revision surgery and is tracking toward being ready to go for spring training. The right-hander inked a two-year, minor-league contract with the Red Sox in February and could open the 2025 season in the big-league bullpen, barring any setbacks with his recovery.
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Luis Arraez 1B | SD
Padres' Luis Arraez: Undergoes surgery on thumb
Arraez underwent surgery Wednesday to repair a torn ligament in his left thumb, Daniel Alvarez-Montes of ElExtraBase.com reports.
Arraez initially injured the thumb back in late June but played through the issue for the remainder of the season. The expectation is that he will be ready for the start of spring training. Arraez will be eligible for salary arbitration for the final time this offseason.
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Matthew Boyd SP | CLE
Guardians' Matthew Boyd: Taking ball in ALCS Game 3
Boyd will start Thursday in Game 3 of the ALCS against the Yankees, Mandy Bell of MLB.com reports.
Boyd will be on regular rest and was the obvious choice for Guardians manager Stephen Vogt in Game 3 after Boyd struck out 10 over 6.2 shutout innings in two ALDS starts versus the Tigers. The left-hander will be opposed by Clarke Schmidt.
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Nestor Cortes SP | NYY
Yankees' Nestor Cortes: Throwing live batting practice
Cortes (elbow) will throw a live batting practice session Wednesday, Greg Joyce of the New York Post reports.
It will be something of a hybrid bullpen session/live batting practice session, as Cortes is slated to throw 10-to-15 pitches off the bullpen mound before throwing another 10-to-15 to hitters. If all goes well, Cortes could face hitters again this weekend. The southpaw has been out since late September with a flexor strain but has a chance to be on the Yankees' World Series roster, should they advance. Cortes hasn't started a game in nearly a month, so if he does return for the World Series, it seems likely to be as a reliever.
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Jeff McNeil 2B | NYM
Mets' Jeff McNeil: Won't be in Game 3 lineup
McNeil will not be in the lineup Wednesday for Game 3 of the NLCS versus the Dodgers, Andy Martino of SNY.tv reports.
McNeil was added to the Mets' NLCS roster after recovering from a fractured right wrist but has been limited to just one pinch-hitting appearance so far, and it appears Jose Iglesias will get another start at second base in Game 3. Iglesias is slashing just .222/.263/.222 so far during the postseason.