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MLB News

Combined summaries and individual breaking-news reports, all in one recency-first feed.

Monday, October 5

Shohei Ohtani Faces Potential Lineup Drop Ahead of NLDS Game 3

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Los Angeles Dodgers manager Dave Roberts is open to moving struggling star Shohei Ohtani lower in the batting order for NLDS Game 3 against the Atlanta Braves. Ohtani is 2 for 8 in the series and hitting .157 since August 18, battling lingering right arm and left knee injuries that have sapped his power and led to struggles chasing pitches outside the strike zone. Roberts confirmed he will discuss any potential lineup adjustments with Ohtani beforehand.

Chris Sale Set to Start NLDS Game 3 on Extra Rest for Braves

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Atlanta Braves ace Chris Sale will start Game 3 of the NLDS against Yoshinobu Yamamoto on extra rest at Truist Park. Manager Walt Weiss held him back to deploy a fully-refreshed ace rather than a diminished version on regular rest. Sale finished the regular season 14-9 with a 2.16 ERA and 200 strikeouts over 162 2/3 innings, thriving all year on extended rest and last pitching an August shutout against Los Angeles.

Nick Martinez Scheduled to Start ALDS Game 3 for Rays

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Tampa Bay Rays right-hander Nick Martinez will make his 2026 postseason debut as he takes the ball for Game 3 of the ALDS against the New York Yankees on Wednesday. Martinez is coming off arguably the best regular season of his big-league career, posting a 3.10 ERA, a 1.09 WHIP, and a 109:26 K:BB across 180.0 innings, and he will look to carry that strong momentum into a hostile environment in New York.

Ray Kerr Delivers Clutch Postseason Outing, Strikes Out Ohtani

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Atlanta Braves reliever Ray Kerr delivered another stellar postseason performance, blanking the Los Angeles Dodgers over 2 ⅔ scoreless innings and striking out Shohei Ohtani in a 3-2 NLDS win. Returning in August from June 2024 Tommy John surgery, Kerr's unexpected emergence as an opener has bolstered Atlanta's rotation. Building on his shutout work in the Wild Card series, the left-hander has allowed just two hits and a walk across his latest clutch outing, evening the series.

Walker Buehler Rejoins Padres Roster Ahead of NLDS Game 4 Start

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The San Diego Padres have welcomed starting pitcher Walker Buehler back to their active roster for the NLDS following a brief stint on the paternity list. After missing the first two games of the series against the Milwaukee Brewers, the right-hander is lined up to start Game 4 at Petco Park, with Nick Pivetta starting Game 3. Buehler, who owns a 3.04 career postseason ERA, replaces Randy Vasquez on the roster as San Diego seeks to overcome a 0-2 series deficit.

Josh Naylor Undergoes Right Wrist Surgery to Repair TFCC Tear

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Seattle Mariners first baseman Josh Naylor underwent surgery on his right wrist to repair a torn TFCC sustained in early August. The minimally invasive procedure carries a 1-2 month recovery timeline, with Naylor expected to be fully healthy for Spring Training. Naylor struggled through the injury late in the year, going homerless over his final 41 games to finish with a .667 OPS, 10 home runs, and 30 stolen bases.

Cal Raleigh Undergoes Left Shoulder Surgery Following 2026 Season

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Seattle Mariners catcher Cal Raleigh underwent successful debridement surgery on his left shoulder AC joint and is expected to be fully healthy for Spring Training. Raleigh endured a tough 2026 campaign that included an oblique strain, seeing his OPS drop to .664 with 23 home runs and a 95 wRC+ overall. However, he rebounded strongly in the second half with a 120 wRC+ and is expected to regain his top form next year.

Blake Snell Struggles With Command in Dodgers' NLDS Game 2 Loss

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Los Angeles Dodgers starter Blake Snell struggled with his delivery and command in Game 2 of the NLDS against the Atlanta Braves, lasting just 3 2/3 innings (11 outs) while throwing 90 pitches with five walks and one run allowed. Manager Dave Roberts attributed the rough outing to rust and mechanical issues rather than groin discomfort, forcing the Dodgers to rely on six relievers in their 3-2 series-tying defeat.

Sam Antonacci Set to Lead Off in Left Field for White Sox in Game 2

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Chicago White Sox outfielder Sam Antonacci will start in left field and bat in the lead-off spot for Game 2 of the American League Division Series against the Cleveland Guardians. Antonacci leads off the White Sox attack against Guardians right-handed starter Gavin Williams as Chicago aims to extend its 1-0 series lead on the road after taking the opening matchup of the best-of-five playoff series.

Kyle Teel Batting Second and Catching for White Sox in ALDS Game 2

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Chicago White Sox catcher Kyle Teel is penciled into the starting lineup behind the plate and batting second for Game 2 of the American League Division Series against the Cleveland Guardians. Teel forms the battery with starting pitcher Sean Burke as the White Sox aim to build upon their 1-0 series advantage, slotting between lead-off hitter Sam Antonacci and third-place hitter Miguel Vargas in the order.

Miguel Vargas Starts at Third Base for White Sox in ALDS Game 2

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Chicago White Sox infielder Miguel Vargas is set to start at third base and bat third in the lineup for Game 2 of the American League Division Series against the Cleveland Guardians. Vargas will face Guardians right-handed starter Gavin Williams as the White Sox seek to take a commanding 2-0 series lead on the road following their Game 1 victory, slotting in behind Sam Antonacci and Kyle Teel in the order.

Steven Kwan Leads Off in Center Field for Guardians in ALDS Game 2

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Cleveland Guardians outfielder Steven Kwan is set to start in center field and bat in the lead-off spot for Game 2 of the American League Division Series against the Chicago White Sox. Kwan sets the table for Cleveland's offense as they look to rebound from a 1-0 series deficit against White Sox starting right-hander Sean Burke, anchoring an outfield group alongside Chase DeLauter and Angel Martinez.

Jo Adell Slotted as Designated Hitter for Guardians in ALDS Game 2

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Cleveland Guardians outfielder Jo Adell is set to serve as the starting designated hitter and bat fourth in Game 2 of the American League Division Series against the Chicago White Sox. Adell features prominently in the middle of Cleveland's order opposite White Sox right-handed starter Sean Burke, as the Guardians look to square the best-of-five series following a loss in the opening game on their home field.

Chase DeLauter Named Starting Right Fielder for Guardians in Game 2

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Cleveland Guardians outfielder Chase DeLauter has been named the starting right fielder and will bat third in the lineup for Game 2 of the American League Division Series against the Chicago White Sox. Looking to rally after dropping Game 1, DeLauter joins a Guardians starting outfield featuring Steven Kwan in center field and Angel Martinez in left as they prepare to face White Sox right-handed starter Sean Burke.

Munetaka Murakami Starts at First Base for White Sox in ALDS Game 2

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Chicago White Sox infielder Munetaka Murakami is slotted to start at first base and bat fourth in ALDS Game 2 against the Cleveland Guardians. As the White Sox look to build on their 1-0 series lead, Murakami continues to draw significant MLB attention during postseason action and broader league discussions regarding upcoming offseason roster strategies and team financial evaluations for the 2027 campaign.

Matt Olson Named Finalist for 2026 Hank Aaron Award

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Atlanta Braves first baseman Matt Olson has been named a finalist for the 2026 Hank Aaron Award, which recognizes the most outstanding regular-season offensive performer in each league. Olson slashed .251/.321/.507 with his second straight 40-homer season, hitting 41 home runs, 93 RBI, and an .823 OPS. He is tied for sixth in MLB in homers. Winners are determined by fan vote and a panel of Hall of Famers, with the announcement scheduled for November 11 at the MLB Awards.

Anthony Kay Serves as Opener for White Sox in ALDS Game 2

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Left-hander Anthony Kay serves as the opener for the Chicago White Sox in ALDS Game 2 against the Cleveland Guardians ahead of bulk pitcher Sean Burke. Kay made a brief appearance in Game 1, allowing one hit and walking one batter over 1 1/3 innings. The veteran southpaw has been particularly stingy against Cleveland this season, surrendering just three earned runs over 20 innings across four starts and holding the Guardians to a .171 batting average as Chicago looks to take a 2-0 lead.

Elly De La Cruz Headlines Dozen Cincinnati Reds Heading to Arbitration

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Cincinnati Reds star Elly De La Cruz is projected to command a $7.9 million salary in his first trip through the arbitration process this winter, headlining a group of a dozen Reds players heading to arbitration. Following a standout season where he joined the 30-30 club with 30 home runs and numerous steals, De La Cruz leads an arbitration class expected to cost nearly $43 million as the franchise weighs its expensive roster core against future financial flexibility.

Drew Rasmussen Dominates Yankees With Near No-Hitter in ALDS

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Tampa Bay Rays pitcher Drew Rasmussen delivered a phenomenal performance, nearly throwing a no-hitter against the New York Yankees in Game 1 of the Division Series. Rasmussen baffled hitters all game with a record 23 swinging strikes, allowing just a single two-out double in the eighth inning to catcher Austin Wells. Analysts praised his overpowering outing as untouchable, propelling the Rays to an early series advantage in the ALDS.

Carlos Peña to Throw Ceremonial First Pitch in ALDS Game 2

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Former Tampa Bay Rays slugging first baseman Carlos Peña will throw the ceremonial first pitch for Game 2 of the American League Division Series. Peña still holds the franchise single-season record for home runs and was an integral part of the team's historic 2008 turnaround, later returning in 2012 to hit a memorable grand slam in front of a packed Tropicana Field crowd.