MLB Player News

Ortiz isn't in the lineup for Game 4 of the NLCS against the Dodgers on Thursday.

Ortiz has gone just 2-for-17 in the postseason while playing through multiple lingering injuries, so the Brewers will move him to the bench while David Hamilton starts at third base, batting ninth.

Muncy is not in the lineup for Thursday's NLCS Game 4 versus the Brewers.

Left-hander Shane Drohan is drawing the start for the Brewers, though he's likely to go through the Dodgers' lineup just once, at most. That means the lefty-swinging Muncy should enter mid-game, just as he's done in the other three games he didn't start this postseason. Enrique Hernandez will begin Thursday's festivities at third base.

Edman is not in the lineup Thursday for Game 4 of the NLCS against the Brewers.

Edman is just 1-for-13 at the plate this postseason and has been in and out of the lineup. The Dodgers will go with Miguel Rojas at second base as they look to stave off elimination.

Ohtani will start at designated hitter and bat leadoff Thursday in Game 4 of the NLCS against the Brewers.

The struggling Ohtani was moved down to the No. 6 spot in the lineup for Game 3 as he battles through nagging injuries. He did reach base three times Wednesday, though Ohtani is still looking for his first extra-base hit and RBI this postseason.

Williams elected to become a free agent Thursday after clearing waivers, Harrison Smajovits of SI.com reports.

Williams had been scrubbed from Atlanta's 40-man roster, and he's chosen free agency in lieu of an outright assignment. The utility player has hit only .212/.272/.280 during his opportunities in the majors.

Atlanta outrighted Keirsey to Triple-A Gwinnett on Thursday, Harrison Smajovits of SI.com reports.

Keirsey has lost his spot on Atlanta's 40-man roster heading into the winter. The speedy Keirsey will remain in the organization as outfield depth. He's managed a lowly .357 OPS in 107 plate appearances at the big-league level.

Atlanta selected Wisely's contract from Triple-A Gwinnett on Thursday, Harrison Smajovits of SI.com reports.

Atlanta is doing some postseason 40-man roster maneuvering, and Wisely has netted a spot. The utility player went hitless in nine trips to the plate for Atlanta in 2026 and has slashed .214/.265/.319 thus far during his limited opportunities at the major-league level.

Phillies president of baseball operations Dave Dombrowski said Thursday that he's informed Realmuto the catcher will receive more days off in 2027, Matt Gelb and Charlotte Varnes of The Athletic report.

He made 122 starts behind the plate in 2026 in his age-35 season. However, his downward trend offensively continued, as Realmuto slashed only .205/.283/.331 with 11 home runs across 467 plate appearances. Dombrowski didn't rule out acquiring an upgrade at backup catcher this offseason, which could allow manager Don Mattingly more confidence in giving Realmuto extra rest.

Phillies president of baseball operations Dave Dombrowski said Thursday that the team plans for Schwarber to play around 30 games at first base next season, Matt Gelb and Charlotte Varnes of The Athletic report.

Schwarber made eight appearances (six starts) at first base in 2026, but the Phillies would like to play him in the field more often in 2027 in order to free up the designated hitter spot for others. The 33-year-old Schwarber has been utility-only eligible in most fantasy leagues over the last three years, but it sounds likely that he will pick up first base eligibility next season.

The Reds and Cabrera avoided arbitration by agreeing to a one-year contract Thursday.

Cabrera was claimed off waivers from the Yankees in September and went 4-for-13 at the dish during a late-season audition. The 27-year-old has an underwhelming career .233/.293/.344 batting line over parts of five major-league seasons, but he offers the ability to play virtually all over the diamond and will like slot into a utility role for the Reds in 2027.