MLB Player News

Manager Dave Roberts told reporters Friday that Freeman (ankle) will undergo a full workout and is expected to be in the lineup for Game 1 of the NLDS against the Padres, Mike DiGiovanna of the Los Angeles Times reports.

Freeman will run the bases and take part in defensive drills Friday, and while Roberts expects the first baseman to be in the lineup for Game 1, a decision won't be made until Saturday, per Fabian Ardaya of The Athletic. If Freeman is unable to go for Game 1, he should be available to pinch hit off the bench while Max Muncy or Enrique Hernandez start at first base, per Jack Harris of the Los Angeles Times. Freeman missed the last three games of the regular season after rolling his ankle against the Padres on Sept. 26. The 35-year-old finished the regular season having slashed .282/.378/.476 with 22 home runs and 89 RBI across 638 plate appearances.

Freeman (ankle) was able to bat during Thursday's intra-squad scrimmage but not play first base, Bill Plunkett of The Orange County Register reports.

It was a positive sign that Freeman took part in baseball activity, though this cast the first doubt about whether he'd be ready for the NLDS. That's particularly true with Shohei Ohtani locked into the DH spot. Max Muncy was playing first base, with Enrique Hernandez at the hot corner in Freeman's absence.

Bauers is absent from the lineup Thursday for Game 3 of the National League Wild Card Series versus the Mets.

It's southpaw Jose Quintana on the bump for the Mets, so the left-handed hitting Bauers will yield to Gary Sanchez for the second straight day. William Contreras is receiving a turn at designated hitter while Sanchez works behind the plate. Bauers will be a candidate to come off the bench once the Mets turn to a right-handed reliever.

Bauers isn't in the Brewers' lineup Wednesday for the second game of the National League Wild Card Series versus the Mets.

The lefty-hitting Bauers will watch Wednesday's contest from the dugout with southpaw Sean Manaea set to toe the slab for New York. Gary Sanchez will serve as Milwaukee's DH and bat fifth.

Dodgers general manager Brandon Gomes said Wednesday that Freeman (ankle) is expected to face live pitching at some point during the team's workouts this week, Bill Plunkett of The Orange County Register reports.

Freeman missed the final three games of the regular season with a right ankle injury, but he is fully expected to be ready for Game 1 of the NLDS on Saturday. The Dodgers have not had Max Muncy work out at first base this week, further suggesting they don't anticipate Freeman's readiness being in question.

Busch went 0-for-1 with four walks during Sunday's 3-0 loss to the Reds in 10 innings.

Busch didn't generate a hit in the final series of the regular season. going 0-for-7 across the three-game set against Cincinnati. However, he did walk four times in Sunday's regular-season finale. It was just his sixth game with multiple walks this season and the performance set a career high in the category. The 26-year-old finishes 2024 with a .248/.335/.440 slash line, 21 home runs, 65 RBI and 73 runs scored.

Hoskins is not in the starting lineup for Sunday's game against the Mets.

Hoskins will rest for the regular-season finale as Jake Bauers starts at first base and bats in the cleanup spot. Barring a pinch-hit appearance Sunday, Hoskins will end the 2024 regular season with a .214/.303/.419 slash line, 26 home runs and 82 RBI across 515 plate appearances.

Manager Dave Roberts said Sunday that he fully expects Freeman (ankle) to be in the lineup for Game 1 of the NLDS, Bill Plunkett of The Orange County Register reports.

It's not quite a lock that Freeman will be ready, since the skipper is discussing contingency plans that would involve Enrique Hernandez starting at the hot corner and Max Muncy shifting to first base. Freeman exited Thursday's game with an ankle injury and was seen on crutches and in a walking boot as the Dodgers looked to keep the swelling down.

Harper is absent from Sunday's lineup against Washington.

Harper will begin Sunday's contest in the dugout as Alec Bohm starts at first base and bats fifth. Unless Harper pinch hits, he'll end the regular season with a slash line of .285/.373/.525, seven stolen bases, 30 home runs and 87 RBI across 631 plate appearances.

Canha was placed on the 10-day injured list Sunday with a right thumb sprain.

Canha has played his final game of 2024 and will enter free agency this offseason. The righty-hitting 35-year-old will be eligible at first base and outfield in fantasy next year, but he only managed seven home runs and seven steals in 462 plate appearances this season.