MLB Player News

Choi went 2-for-3 with a solo home run in Friday's 14-6 loss to the Red Sox in Game 2 of the ALDS.

Choi wasn't in the lineup for Friday's matchup, but he entered the game in the top of the fourth inning. His homer in the sixth inning brought the Rays within two runs, but the team was unable to keep up with Boston's strong offensive performance in Game 2. The 30-year-old has now recorded extra-base hits in three of his last five games.

Martinez went 4-for-5 with a three-run homer and a double in Friday's 14-6 win over the Rays in Game 2 of the ALDS.

Martinez missed Boston's first two postseason games due to a sprained ankle, but he served as the designated hitter Friday and was one of the top performers in the win. The 34-year-old said he felt some pain while running in Game 2 but felt good hitting, and he'll have an additional day to recover ahead of Game 3 on Sunday.

Martinez (ankle) is starting Game 2 of the ALDS against the Rays on Friday, Pete Abraham of The Boston Globe reports.

Martinez didn't appear in a Game 1 loss Thursday as he dealt with an ankle injury, but he took batting practice ahead of Friday's matchup. He'll serve as the designated hitter and bat sixth in Game 2.

Choi is out of the lineup for Game 2 of the ALDS against the Red Sox on Friday, Neil Solondz of the Rays Radio Network reports.

Choi will sit for the second straight game to open the playoffs with lefty Chris Sale pitching for Boston. Jordan Luplow will receive another start at first base for Tampa Bay.

There is a "strong possibility" that Martinez (ankle) will play in Game 2 of the ALDS against the Rays on Friday, Christopher Smith of The Springfield Republican reports.

Martinez has been dealing with an ankle injury since the team's final regular-season contest. After missing the AL Wild Card Game, Martinez was added to Boston's ALDS roster but was not in the starting lineup for Game 1. While there is some optimism that Martinez can return, manager Alex Cora also added that there were no guarantees regarding Martinez's availability.

Brantley went 2-for-4 with two RBI in Game 1 of the ALDS on Thursday against the White Sox.

Brantley delivered a two-run single in the fourth inning with two outs. His knock opened up the game, as it extended Houston's lead from three to five runs. Brantley returned from an 18-day stint on the injured list late in the season, and he collected only three hits across 15 at-bats to close the campaign. However, he managed to record his 13th multi-hit game across 39 career postseason contests.

Alvarez went 2-for-3 with a solo home run, two RBI, two runs scored, a double and a walk in Game 1 of the ALDS against the White Sox on Thursday.

Alvarez clubbed an RBI double in the third inning to put the Astros up 3-0. He followed that up with a leadoff home run in the fifth frame to provide insurance in what ultimately ended up being a convincing victory for Houston. Alvarez hadn't experienced an overwhelming amount off success in the postseason entering entering Thursday's game, as he had hit just .241/.323/.345 across 65 plate appearances.

Martinez (ankle) isn't in the lineup for Game 1 of the ALDS against the Rays on Thursday, Chris Cotillo of The Springfield Republican reports.

Martinez is on Boston's ALDS roster, but Kyle Schwarber will serve as the designated hitter while Christian Arroyo enters the lineup at second base Thursday. Manager Alex Cora said prior to Game 1 that the 34-year-old will take batting practice Thursday and could return as the designated hitter Friday, per Jen McCaffrey of The Athletic.

Choi isn't starting Game 1 of the ALDS against the Red Sox on Thursday, Marc Topkin of the Tampa Bay Times reports.

Choi will get a breather for the Rays' first postseason matchup with lefty Eduardo Rodriguez on the mound for Tampa Bay. Jordan Luplow will start at first base and bat sixth.

Martinez (ankle) has been added to Boston's ALDS roster, Bill Koch of The Providence Journal reports.

Martinez wasn't active for the AL Wild Card Game due to a left ankle sprain, but he'll be available during the best-of-five series against Tampa Bay. However, it's not yet known whether he'll be cleared to play in Game 1 on Thursday.