MLB Player News

Abreu (illness) joined the White Sox in Houston ahead of the team's American League Divisional Series with the Astros, but he's uncertain to start in Game 1 on Thursday, James Fegan of The Athletic reports.

Abreu was withheld from the lineup in Sunday's regular-season finale against the Tigers after experiencing flu-like symptoms, and the White Sox have relayed that multiple follow-up tests have determined the star first baseman isn't COVID-19 positive. While the 34-year-old's condition has seemingly improved since the weekend, the White Sox have yet to decide whether he'll be available for Game 1. On a positive note, Abreu doesn't look like he's in any real danger of missing out on a spot on the White Sox's ALDS roster.

Raley was added to the roster for Wednesday's NL Wild Card Game against the Cardinals.

Raley spent most of the year at Triple-A Oklahoma City but will join the active roster for Wednesday's postseason game. He slashed .294/.393/.570 with 19 home runs, 69 RBI, 60 runs and eight stolen bases across 72 minor-league appearances this year and will likely be available off the bench against St. Louis.

Rizzo went 1-for-4 with a solo home run and two strikeouts in Tuesday's 6-2 loss to the Red Sox in the AL Wild Card Game.

Rizzo brought Tuesday's winner-take-all game within two runs with his homer in the sixth inning, but the rest of the team was unable to generate enough offensive production to spark a comeback. The 32-year-old appeared in 141 games with the Cubs and Yankees this year, and he slashed .248/.344/.440 with 22 homers, 61 RBI and six stolen bases. He's slated to become a free agent this winter.

Cron agreed to an extension with the Rockies on Tuesday, Jon Heyman of MLB Network reports.

Cron will receive $14.5 million over the next two years, per Mark Feinsand of MLB.com. The news is quite good for Cron's fantasy value going forward, as any hitter with a regular role at Coors Field is automatically much more interesting than they otherwise would be. He wasn't merely a product of his environment last season, however, as his .281/.375/.530 slash line was good for a 127 wRC+, a full-season career best.

Abreu's absence from the lineup for the final game of the regular season Saturday against the Tigers was due to a non-COVID illness, James Fegan of The Athletic reports.

The illness doesn't appear to be a particularly significant one. Abreu is expected to be a full participant in Tuesday's workout, leaving him plenty of time to get back to full speed by the time the ALDS begins Thursday.

Flores went 2-for-5 with a double, two RBI and two runs scored in Sunday's 11-4 win over San Diego.

The 30-year-old continues to solidify his grip on the starting job at first base with Brandon Belt (finger) out. Flores went 8-for-23 (.348) in his last eight games of the season. He slashed .262/.335/.447 with 18 home runs, 53 RBI, 57 runs scored and a stolen base across 436 plate appearances while seeing time all around the infield. Should he falter during the Giants' postseason run, LaMonte Wade or Darin Ruf could also see time at first base.

Santana went 3-for-4 with an RBI in Sunday's 7-3 loss to Minnesota.

While the first baseman could be counted on for solid on-base abilities in the first half of the season, he slumped badly after the All-Star break. In the end, Santana posted a .214/.319/.342 slash line, leading to a career-low .660 OPS in 158 games. Outside of a resurgent 2019, Santana's been on a noticeable downward slide since 2016. He's still under contract for 2022, but top prospect Nick Pratto could force Kansas City's hand in spring training after batting .266 across 123 games between Double-A and Triple-A.

Votto went 1-for-5 with a three-run home run in Sunday's 6-3 win over Pittsburgh.

Votto launched a three-run shot off Cody Ponce in the fifth inning, his 36th of the year. The slugging first baseman drilled six long balls with 11 RBI over his final 11 games this season. Votto narrowly missed out on tying his career-high 37 homers set back in 2010 and finished with 99 RBI. He slashed .266/.375/.563 through 533 plate appearances.

Tellez went 2-for-3 with two doubles, two runs, an RBI, a walk and a strikeout in a 10-3 loss to the Dodgers on Sunday.

Making only his second appearance since Sept. 11 due to an IL stint, Tellez reached base three times with a walk in the first inning, double and run in the fourth and an RBI double with another run in the eighth for a successful final tune-up before the playoffs. The 26-year-old first baseman concludes the season with a .242/.305/.414 slash line, 11 home runs, 34 runs and 36 RBI across 106 games between Milwaukee and Toronto.

Beaty went 3-for-3 with a three-run home run and an additional run and RBI in a 10-3 win against the Brewers on Sunday.

Beaty notched a pinch-hit single in the fifth inning and subsequently scored, singled home a run in the sixth and launched a three-run homer in the eighth to push the score to its 10-3 final. The 28-year-old concludes his third big-league season with a .270/.363/.402 slash line, seven home runs, 35 runs and 40 RBI in 120 games.