MLB Player News

Garver went 3-for-4 with a double and a home run, tallying two runs and two RBI in Sunday's 9-2 win over the Astros in Game 6 of the ALCS.

Garver had a key home run in the second inning that tied the game. He later added an RBI double in the eighth. The designated hitter had been struggling to get things going at the plate against Houston in this series, going 2-for-17 in his last five games, but perhaps Sunday's effort is a signal he is starting to turn things around at the plate. Garver is slashing .290/.353/.548 with two home runs, six runs and 10 RBI across 31 at-bats this postseason.

Pham isn't in the Diamondbacks' lineup for Game 5 of the NLCS versus the Phillies.

Pham has gone 1-for-13 with six strikeouts through the first four games of the NLCS, so he'll get a chance to regroup as he sits out Game 5. Pavin Smith will serve as Arizona's designated hitter instead and bat fifth.

Pham (toe) will return to the outfield Thursday in Game 3 of the NLCS against the Phillies, Bob Nightengale of USA Today reports.

Pham has been limited to DH duties since late September because of turf toe, but he's feeling better now and will give the Diamondbacks a slightly different lineup look as they try to rebound from an 0-2 series deficit. Pham is 0-for-8 with three strikeouts so far in the NLCS, but he went 7-for-22 (.318) with six runs scored in five games between the Wild Card Series and NLDS.

O'Keefe was sent outright Tuesday to Triple-A Tacoma after passing through waivers unclaimed.

O'Keefe was designated for assignment by the Mariners on Friday and drew no interest from other teams. The 30-year-old catcher has slashed .136/.240/.227 in 25 career plate appearances at the major-league level.

Alvarez is dealing with a virus, but he's in the lineup Monday for Game 2 of the Astros' ALCS matchup with the Rangers, serving as Houston's designated hitter and cleanup batter, Ken Rosenthal and Chandler Rome of The Athletic report.

According to the report, Alvarez is battling an upset stomach and has been dealing with headaches, but he looks set to play Monday at less than full strength. The slugger played through the illness in Sunday, going 0-for-4 with three strikeouts and a weakly-hit grounder in the Astros' 2-0 loss in Game 1. For what it's worth, manager Dusty Baker said Monday that Alvarez is "better today than he was yesterday."

The Mariners designated O'Keefe for assignment Friday.

O'Keefe was booted off the Mariners' 40-man roster in order to make room for Kaleb Ort (elbow), who was claimed off waivers from Boston on Friday. O'Keefe is just 3-for-22 with two RBI in his major-league career, though his .238/.328/.504 Triple-A slash line from 2023 could get him claimed by another team in need of depth behind the plate.

Buxton underwent an arthroscopic procedure on his right knee Friday, Do-Hyoung Park of MLB.com reports.

Buxton experienced a flareup of the patella tendinitis in his knee during the late stages of the season, and his procedure should help lower his risk for additional flareups in the future. The Twins didn't specify exactly how long Buxton will be held out, but the team still expects him to be able to play in center field next season.

Buxton (knee) was added to the Twins' active roster Wednesday ahead of ALDS Game 4 against the Astros, Betsy Helfand of the St. Paul Pioneer Press reports.

Buxton hasn't appeared in a major-league game since Aug. 1 due to a right knee injury and is not in the lineup for Game 4 on Wednesday night at Target Field, but the 29-year-old could prove to be a weapon off the bench as the Twins aim to avoid elimination. Minnesota is currently down 2-1 in the best-of-five series. Alex Kirilloff (undisclosed) was placed on the injured list in a corresponding move.

Goins announced his retirement from baseball Tuesday.

Goins hadn't appeared in a major-league game since 2020 and did not play at any level of pro ball in 2023. The 35-year-old infielder finishes with a career .228/.278/.333 batting line in 555 big-league games spread between the Blue Jays, Royals and White Sox.

Garver will again serve as the Rangers' designated hitter and bat third Tuesday in Game 3 of the ALDS versus the Orioles.

Garver hit a grand slam and tallied five total RBI in Game 2 as the Rangers earned an 11-8 victory to go up 2-0 in the best-of-five series. They'll look to finish off a three-game sweep of the O's on Tuesday night in Arlington, Texas. Robbie Grossman is riding the pine.