MLB Player News

Martinez will not exercise the opt-out in his contract, Jeff Passan of ESPN.com reports.

Martinez evidently didn't feel as though he could make more than the $62.5 million he's due over the next three seasons on the open market. He remains an excellent hitter, but there's understandably some uncertainty about the market for a 32-year-old designated hitter. He has opt-outs remaining after each of the next two seasons, so there's still no guarantee he remains in Boston through the end of the 2022 season.

Alvarez remains on the bench for Game 4 of the World Series in Washington on Saturday, Chandler Rome of the Houston Chronicle reports.

Alvarez remains limited to pinch-hit duty under National League rules. It's still possible he gets a shot in left field for Game 5.

Ohtani (knee) has been cleared to throw from 100 feet, Jeff Fletcher of The Orange County Register reports.

Ohtani was cleared to begin a throwing program at the end of September after undergoing surgery on his left knee a few weeks earlier. He's on track to start throwing from a mound by the end of November, per Fletcher.

Alvarez will sit for Game 3 of the World Series in Washington on Friday, Chandler Rome of the Houston Chronicle reports.

The designated hitter hit well in the first two games of the series, going 3-for-6 with a pair of walks. Despite that performance, the Astros are seemingly unwilling to risk his shaky defense in the National League park.

Stanton had a Grade 2 quadriceps strain during the ALCS, Bryan Hoch of MLB.com reports.

The 29-year-old missed several games during the ALCS with the strain in his right quad, while general manager Brian Cashman said that is was a Grade 2 variety that would have sent Stanton to the injured list in the regular season. The team wanted to keep Stanton available for the World Series if it was to advance, so the Yankees kept him on the active roster. The outfielder will likely need a few weeks before he's fully recovered, but he should have a normal offseason after he heals.

Alvarez will bat seventh as the designated hitter for Game 1 of the World Series against the Nationals on Tuesday, Chandler Rome of the Houston Chronicle reports.

The young slugger has been quite poor in the playoffs, hitting .171/.227/.244 over 44 plate appearances. The Astros will trust the rookie's much longer sample of 369 plate appearances in the regular season, however, in which he hit .313/.412/.655.

Stanton is not in the lineup for Game 6 of the ALCS against the Astros on Saturday.

Stanton returned from a quadriceps injury to start Game 5 on Friday, but he didn't exactly prove his health, going 0-for-4 with two strikeouts. Edwin Encarnacion returns as the designated hitter for Game 6.

Stanton (quadriceps) will bat cleanup as the designated hitter Friday against the Astros for Game 5 of the ALCS.

Stanton had been on the bench since straining his right quadriceps while running the bases in the first game of the ALCS. He's apparently still not ready to take the field but will be able to hit, bumping Edwin Encarnacion to the bench.

Stanton (quadriceps) is feeling better and could start Game 5 of the ALCS against the Astros on Friday, Marly Rivera of ESPN reports.

Despite not starting in Game 4 on Thursday, Stanton is apparently feeling better and could start as the designated hitter Friday. Stanton ran the bases prior to Game 4 but did not run hard. The encouraging update could also signal that the 29-year-old might be available off the bench Thursday.

Stanton (quadriceps) is not in the lineup for Game 4 of the ALCS against the Astros on Thursday.

Stanton will miss his third straight game with a right quadriceps strain, although he could be available off the bench if needed. The 29-year-old was running the bases prior to Game 4 but was not running hard, Joel Sherman of the New York Post reports. Brett Gardner will shift to left field with Aaron Hicks starting in center field Thursday.