MLB Player News

Yelich is out of the lineup for Game 1 of the NLCS against the Dodgers on Sunday, Curt Hogg of the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel reports.

Yelich started all four games versus San Diego during the NLDS, including the series opener versus lefty Robbie Ray, but the veteran slugger will hit the bench Sunday with ace southpaw Tarik Skubal taking the mound for Los Angeles. Yelich was a key piece of Milwaukee's offense versus the Padres -- going 5-for-14 with a double, two steals, one RBI and two runs -- and the Brewers may need him to deliver similar numbers to make the World Series. The 34-year-old will likely make an appearance off the bench Sunday once the Dodgers go to their bullpen.

Benintendi is absent from the lineup Wednesday for Game 3 of the ALDS against the Guardians.

The Guardians are starting a right-handed opener in Daniel Espino, but with either lefties Foster Griffin or Joey Cantillo likely to pitch in bulk relief, the lefty-swinging Benintendi will begin the contest on the bench. Benintendi is 1-for-5 with one RBI and a 2:3 BB:K so far during the postseason. Sam Antonacci is occupying the designated hitter spot, and Randal Grichuk will play left field as the White Sox try to close out the Guardians.

Ohtani will start at designated hitter and will bat fifth Tuesday in Game 3 of the NLDS against Atlanta.

It's the lowest Ohtani has batted since back in 2020 when he was still with the Angels. Ohtani has gone 1-for-4 at the plate in each of the first two games of the series, and he collected just a .503 OPS with zero home runs and a 34.9 percent strikeout rate over his final 18 regular-season contests. With Ohtani down in the No. 5 spot for Game 3, Mookie Betts has been elevated to the leadoff role.

Rice went 2-for-3 with a walk and two solo home runs during Game 2 of the ALDS against the Rays on Monday.

The 27-year-old slugger launched solo shots during the fourth and eighth innings, but the rest of the Yankees offense stayed dormant in Tampa Bay. It's already Rice's second two-homer game of the playoffs, which matches the number of times he achieved that feat across 154 contests during the regular season. After scoring nine runs in both wild-card games last week, Rice's two solo shots are the only offense New York has managed in the first two games of the ALDS.

De Paula is listed on the Dodgers' roster for their National League Division Series against Atlanta.

The 21-year-old outfielder spent time with the Dodgers near the end of the regular season while Shohei Ohtani was on the injured list. De Paula showed during his stint with the big club that his bat is already capable of handling MLB pitching, as he slashed .323/.500/.581 with a homer, seven RBI, 7 runs scored an an 11:5 BB:K across 42 plate appearances. However, the Dodgers already have an abundance of firepower in their lineup, so De Paula will almost certainly be limited to a bench role during the NLDS.

Gasper is expected to be sidelined 4-to-6 month after undergoing distal right biceps tendon surgery Friday, Tim Healey of The Boston Globe reports.

The 4-to-6 month timeline is for Gasper's return to game action, so there's a good chance he'll be held out of spring training action initially, and his availability for Opening Day isn't a given. Gasper slashed .251/.357/.466 with 10 home runs and a 27:39 BB:K over 67 games in 2026.

Conforto isn't in the lineup Wednesday for Game 2 of the NL Wild Card Series against the Padres.

Conforto will retreat to the bench for a second straight game as the Cubs use Alex Bregman as their designated hitter again, allowing Matt Shaw to start at the hot corner.

Rice went 4-for-5 with a double, two home runs and six RBI in Game 1 of the AL Wild Card Series against the Red Sox on Tuesday.

The 27-year-old posted a 1.055 OPS over 22 games in September and carried his hot bat into the postseason with a fifth-inning solo homer and an eighth-inning grand slam in Tuesday's blowout victory. Rice clubbed 41 homers with 97 RBI, 105 runs and a .264/.363/.534 slash line in 154 regular-season games this year, with his breakout helping to cover the absence of Aaron Judge (calf).

Conforto is not in the lineup Tuesday for Game 1 of the wild-card series against the Padres.

Alex Bregman has the start as the designated hitter instead of Conforto on Tuesday and is batting second. With Bregman not in the field, Pedro Ramirez is taking over at the hot corner.

Gasper will undergo surgery Friday to repair a torn right biceps, Rob Bradford of WEEI.com reports.

Gasper's biceps tendon tore completely off the bone on a swinging strikeout during a Sept. 25 contest against the Cubs. He will be unavailable for the entirety of the postseason, and it's unclear how long the rehab process will take. Assuming health, Gasper should be in the mix for a utility role with the Red Sox again next season after slashing .251/.357/.466 with 10 home runs and a 27:39 BB:K over 67 games in 2026.