MLB Player News

Hoffman earned the save in Wednesday's win over the Yankees in Game 4 of the American League Division Series. He allowed one run on two hits and one walk while striking out one batter over 1.1 innings.

Hoffman was the eighth and final arm to pitch in a bullpen game for the Blue Jays, and while he coughed up a run in the ninth, he ultimately closed the door to send Toronto to the ALCS. While Hoffman was charged with seven blown saves and took seven losses during the regular season, he has allowed just two earned runs in his last 14 appearances dating back to late August, converting all five of his save chances in that span.

Schlittler took the loss to the Blue Jays on Wednesday in Game 4 of the American League Division Series. He allowed four runs (two earned) on eight hits while striking out two without a walk over 6.1 innings.

Making a second consecutive start with the season on the line, Schlittler pitched well, but the Yankees couldn't stave off elimination this time around. Still, per MLB's Sarah Langs, Schlittler became just the 10th pitcher in modern history with at least six innings pitched and two earned runs or fewer allowed in multiple starts facing elimination in a single postseason. The 24-year-old right-hander finishes his first playoff run with a 1.26 ERA over 14.1 innings, and he figures to be a hot commodity in fantasy drafts next spring.

Bader (groin) isn't in the lineup for Game 3 of the NLDS against the Dodgers on Wednesday, Lochlahn March of The Philadelphia Inquirer reports.

Bader was a game-time decision heading into Game 3 due to a groin injury he suffered in Game 1, and the Phillies have officially decided to keep the speedy outfielder on the bench for another day. He picked up a single off the bench in Game 2 and will likely be available to serve as a pinch hitter again Wednesday.

Smith (hand) will start at catcher and bat fifth against the Phillies in Game 3 of the NLDS on Wednesday.

Smith's fractured right hand kept him on the bench for the Dodgers' first four postseason games, though he was able to deliver a two-run single off the bench in Game 2 on Monday. He'll now return to the starting nine and provide the Dodgers with another power bat while the team looks to punch its ticket to the NLCS.

Blue Jays manager John Schneider said Wednesday that Yesavage will be available out of the bullpen for Game 4 of the ALDS, Mitch Bannon of The Athletic reports.

Yesavage had a dominant start in Game 2 on Sunday, striking out 11 over 5.1 hitless, scoreless innings. He threw 78 pitches in that outing and is on two days' rest, but the Blue Jays won't hesitate to use the rookie in Game 4 if they think he'll help them close out the series against the Yankees. Kevin Gausman is set up to start Game 5, if necessary, and would pitch in Game 4 only in an emergency situation.

Bichette jogged in the outfield without a brace on his injured left knee at Yankee Stadium pregame Wednesday, Mitch Bannon of The Athletic reports.

Bichette did not initially travel with the Blue Jays when the ALDS moved to New York, so the fact that he's now joined them and did some jogging for the first time since injuring his knee is a good sign. However, Bichette did not run at full effort, and he displayed a noticeable limp as he walked back to the dugout. Bichette hopes to be available for the ALCS, should the Blue Jays advance.

Goldschmidt will start at first base and bat sixth Wednesday in Game 4 of the ALDS against the Blue Jays.

It will be Goldschmidt's first start of the series and just his second start so far this postseason. Right-handed reliever Louis Varland is serving as the opener in what will be a bullpen game for the Blue Jays.

Rice is not in the lineup Wednesday for Game 4 of the ALDS versus the Blue Jays.

The Yankees are turning to Paul Goldschmidt at first base as the Blue Jays go with a bullpen game. Rice is 4-for-18 with one home run, four RBI and a 1:8 BB:K across five games this postseason.

Manager Dave Roberts said Tuesday that Sasaki is "definitely the primary option now" to close games for the Dodgers, though the skipper noted that the rookie's availability will be contingent on his workload, Alden Gonzalez of ESPN.com reports. "We have to win X amount of games [to secure a championship], and he's not going to close every game," Roberts said of Sasaki. "It's just not feasible, so, you've got to use other guys."

Sasaki struggled to a 4.72 ERA, 1.49 WHIP and 24:22 K:BB in 34.1 innings over eight starts with the Dodgers to begin the season before he landed on the injured list May 13 due to a right shoulder impingement, but he's proven to be a dynamic weapon out of the bullpen since being reinstated Sept. 24. After collecting two holds and striking out four batters over two scoreless frames in two relief outings to close out the regular season, Sasaki retired the side on 11 pitches in his lone appearance against the Reds in the wild-card round, and he's converted a pair of save chances with ease in the first two games of the NLDS versus the Phillies. Given that the bullpen had been a relative weakness for the Dodgers down the stretch, it's not too surprising that Sasaki has quickly emerged as Los Angeles' most trusted reliever after he pitched effectively in his initial appearances following his return from the IL. With Clayton Kershaw headed for retirement following the playoffs, the Dodgers presumably still envision Sasaki getting stretched back out over the winter and settling into the vacated rotation spot in 2026, but the rookie right-hander looks like he'll rank as the preferred choice for ninth-inning duties for the duration of the team's postseason run.

Bauers will start at first base and bat seventh Wednesday in Game 3 of the NLDS versus the Cubs.

Bauers was limited to just one pinch-hitting appearance in the first two games of the series, drawing a walk in that trip to the dish. He'll get a chance to start Wednesday against Cubs righty Jameson Taillon as the Brewers look to advance to the NLCS.