MLB Player News

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

Betts went 4-for-5 with three doubles, three RBI and one run scored in Wednesday's win over the Reds in Game 2 of the National League Wild Card Series.

Betts helped lift Los Angeles to the NLDS with his seven total bases Wednesday and six hits across the two-game set. His .732 OPS during the regular season was by far the worst mark of his career, but the 32-year-old can still make a big impact on any given night. Betts is chasing his fourth World Series title and third with the Dodgers.

Bello didn't factor into the decision during Wednesday's 4-3 loss to the Yankees, giving up two earned runs on four hits and a walk over 2.1 innings. He failed to record a strikeout.

Bello put himself in a hole early by giving up a two-run homer to Ben Rice in the first inning. The 26-year-old righty picked up the next four outs with relatively little trouble while Boston's offense tied the game, but after allowing two men to reach with one out in the third, he got the hook after only 28 pitches. Because his appearance was so short, Bello may be available to take the mound again early in the ALDS, though the Red Sox will first need to leave Yankee Stadium with a win in Game 3.

Littell took the loss to the Dodgers on Wednesday in Game 2 of the National League Wild Card Series. He allowed three runs on six hits while striking out two without a walk over 3.1 innings.

The Reds staked Littell to a two-run lead before he took the mound, but he ultimately gave the lead back with three runs allowed over the third and fourth innings. Littell was lifted after 52 pitches -- an understandably quick hook from manager Terry Francona with the season on the line. Littell served up 36 home runs during the regular season, second most in the majors, but he nonetheless managed a highly respectable 3.81 and 1.10 WHIP over 186.2 innings between Tampa Bay and Cincinnati. The soon-to-be 30-year-old is a free agent this winter.