MLB Player News
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J.D. Martinez DH | NYM
Mets' J.D. Martinez: Absent from Game 1 lineup
Martinez is not in the lineup Tuesday for Game 1 of the National League Wild Card Series against the Brewers, Tim Healey of Newsday reports.
Martinez saw his playing time cut down the stretch of the regular season as he struggled to a .368 OPS in September. Jesse Winker had similar struggles in the final month but will get a shot at designated hitter in Game 1 versus righty Freddy Peralta.
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Jesse Winker RF | NYM
Mets' Jesse Winker: In Game 1 lineup
Winker (back) will start at designated hitter and bat sixth Tuesday in Game 1 of the National League Wild Card Series versus the Brewers, Tim Healey of Newsday reports.
Winker didn't see any action in the final four games of the regular season while nursing a minor back injury, but he's feeling well enough to give it a go in the first game of the postseason. He went just 3-for-42 at the plate in September.
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Spencer Schwellenbach SP | ATL
Braves' Spencer Schwellenbach: Excluded from wild-card roster
Schwellenbach is not on Atlanta's roster for the National League Wild Card Series against the Padres.
It's not a surprise after Schwellenbach threw 94 pitches over seven innings in the first game of Monday's doubleheader against the Mets. If Atlanta advances to the NLDS, Schwellenbach will undoubtedly be part of the rotation for that series.
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Bryce Elder SP | ATL
Braves' Bryce Elder: On Atlanta's wild-card roster
Atlanta recalled Elder from Triple-A Gwinnett on Tuesday.
There's a decent chance Atlanta will need Elder to either start or eat some innings in relief in Game 1 of the National League Wild Card Series versus the Padres on Tuesday, as its pitching staff is short-handed following the doubleheader Monday and due to Chris Sale's (back) injury. Elder has collected a 6.52 ERA over 10 starts in the majors in 2024.
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A.J. Smith-Shawver SP | ATL
Braves' AJ Smith-Shawver: On wild-card roster
Atlanta recalled Smith-Shawver from Triple-A Gwinnett on Tuesday.
Smith-Shawver will be part of the club's NL Wild Card Series roster against the Padres, and he and Bryce Elder are the candidates to draw the start in Game 1. The young right-hander has made just one start with the big club this season, tossing 4.1 scoreless innings versus the Cubs back in May.
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Chris Sale SP | ATL
Braves' Chris Sale: Left off wild-card roster
Sale (back) is not on Atlanta's roster for its National League Wild Card Series against the Padres.
Sale is dealing with back spasms, an injury which he's dealt with off and on for a while and which flared up Sunday. It's possible he will be an option to join Atlanta's rotation during the NLDS, should it advance, but that's up in the air for now. Bryce Elder and AJ Smith-Shawver have made the wild-card roster and one of them is expected to start Game 1 in San Diego.
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Bryan Hudson RP | MIL
Brewers' Bryan Hudson: Left off wild-card roster
Hudson is not on the Brewers' roster for the National League Wild Card Series against the Mets, Curt Hogg of the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel reports.
Hudson was one of the Brewers' best relievers this season, collecting a 1.73 ERA and 62:17 K:BB over 62.1 innings, but he was sent down to Triple-A Nashville in early September after his velocity dipped. The lefty allowed one run with a 10:0 K:BB across 5.2 frames at Nashville, but the team evidently still wasn't convinced he was ready to help during the first round of the playoffs.
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Jesse Winker RF | NYM
Mets' Jesse Winker: Included on wild-card roster
Winker (back) is on the Mets' roster for the National League Wild Card Series against the Brewers.
Winker did not play in the final four games of the regular season while battling a back injury, but the Mets have deemed him healthy enough to be part of their roster for the first round of the playoffs. What is not yet clear is whether Winker will be in the lineup for Game 1 versus righty Freddy Peralta.
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Sal Frelick RF | MIL
Brewers' Sal Frelick: On Milwaukee's wild-card roster
Frelick (hip) is on the Brewers' roster for the National League Wild Card Series versus the Mets, Curt Hogg of the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel reports.
Frelick suffered a bone bruise in his left hip during the final weekend of the regular season, but he went through a workout Monday and convinced the Brewers he was healthy enough to be included on their wild-card roster. He is expected to be in Tuesday's lineup for Game 1.
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Ryan O'Hearn 1B | BAL
Orioles' Ryan O'Hearn: Sitting vs. lefty in Game 1
O'Hearn is out of the lineup for Game 1 of the American League Wild Card Series against the Royals on Tuesday, Roch Kubatko of MASNSports.com reports.
The 31-year-old finished the regular season on a tear -- he hit .382 with three doubles and two homers over the final 11 games -- but he'll begin the playoffs on the bench with southpaw Cole Ragans taking the mound for Kansas City. O'Hearn is a strong candidate to appear as a pinch hitter and should be back in the lineup for Game 2 against Royals righty Seth Lugo.