MLB Player News

Kirilloff is starting in right field and batting sixth Wednesday in Game 2 against the Astros.

The Twins aren't messing around, turning to their No. 2 overall prospect to make his MLB debut during the first round of the playoffs. Including the Southern League playoffs, Kirilloff hit .309/.352/.480 with 11 home runs and a 15.9 K% over his final 60 games in 2019 and reportedly impressed in spring training and this summer at the alternate training site. He bats left-handed, which was likely a key consideration in him getting the start against righty Jose Urquidy.

Naylor went 4-for-4 with a solo homer and an additional run scored in Tuesday's loss to the Yankees in Game 1 of the Wild Card Round.

Naylor hit a solo homer in the fourth inning and was the only Indians player to really give Gerrit Cole trouble as he recorded four hits. The 23-year-old slashed .247/.291/.330 throughout the 2020 regular season and will look to contribute Wednesday in Game 2.

Tellez is on the wild-card roster after his knee injury improved faster than expected, but he's expected to be limited to pinch-hit or designated hitter duty, Arden Zwelling of Sportsnet.ca reports.

Tellez will fill the former role in Game 1, but it's apparently not out of the question that he starts at some point this series. Alejandro Kirk will be the designated hitter Tuesday against the Rays.

Gurriel signed a one-year, $6.5 million extension with the Astros on Tuesday, Bob Nightengale of USA Today reports.

The contract keeps the 36-year-old with the only major-league organization he's ever known for at least one more season. The contract contains a team option for a second season at $8 million, as well as a $500,000 buyout on that option. That buyout will likely be exercised if Gurriel can't improve upon his .232/.274/.384 slash line from this season.

Tellez will sit for the first game of the AL Wild Card Round against the Rays on Tuesday.

Tellez is evidently far enough along in his recovery from a knee strain that he was able to make the postseason roster but not far enough along that he'll be able to start the first game of the series, though it's worth noting the Rays are starting lefty Blake Snell in Game 1. Whether or not Tellez is able to start future games remains to be seen. Alejandro Kirk will be the designated hitter Tuesday.

The Twins selected Kirilloff's contract Tuesday ahead of Game 1 of the team's wild-card series with the Astros.

Minnesota designated pitcher Sean Poppen for assignment to clear room on the 40-man roster and the active roster for Kirilloff, one of the organization's top prospects. He'll be on the bench for Game 1, but Kirilloff could get the chance to make his first MLB start at some point during the postseason if any members of the Twins' regular outfield (Max Kepler, Byron Buxton and Eddie Rosario) are forced to miss time.

Diaz is not in the lineup for Game 1 of the Wild Card Round against the Blue Jays on Tuesday, Juan Toribio of MLB.com reports.

Diaz made the postseason roster despite missing all of September with a hamstring issue. It's not clear whether the injury is still lingering and forcing him into a bench role or if the Rays simply prefer Joey Wendle at third base against righties like White Sox starter Lucas Giolito.

Tellez (knee) will be part of the Blue Jays' roster for their AL Wild Card Series against the Rays.

Tellez has missed three weeks with a strained knee but is evidently ready to return. Whether or not he's ready to start right away remains to be seen. He was quite a useful player for Toronto prior to the injury, hitting .283/.346/.540 in 35 games.

Diaz (hamstring) will be on the Rays' playoff roster, Marc Topkin of the Tampa Bay Times reports.

Diaz missed all of September with a hamstring injury, but he's been working out and participating in simulated games over the past week and is now ready to go. He started the majority of the Rays' games prior to the injury and will likely fill a fairly significant role during the postseason.

The Twins are expected to add Kirilloff to their postseason roster Tuesday ahead of Game 1 of the team's wild-card series with the Astros, Jonathan Mayo of MLB.com reports.

With the statuses of third baseman Josh Donaldson (calf) and outfielder Byron Buxton (concussion) uncertain for the three-game series, the Twins will promote one of their top hitting prospects to help fill the void. If Donaldson can't start Tuesday, Marwin Gonzalez would likely fill in for him at the hot corner, leaving a spot open for Kirilloff in the outfield in the event Buxton is also sidelined. Due to the cancellation of the 2020 minor-league season, Kirilloff's only competitive at-bats have come in simulated games at the Twins' alternate training site, but the 22-year-old is regarded as an advanced hitter from the left side. He spent the 2019 campaign at Double-A Pensacola, slashing .283/.343/.413 while striking out at a respectable 18.5 percent rate.