MLB Player News

Harper went 1-for-3 with a two-run home run and a walk during Sunday's 4-3 win over the Padres in Game 5 of the NLCS.

Harper came to the plate after a leadoff single by J.T. Realmuto in the bottom of the eighth inning, and he sent a Robert Suarez sinker into the left-field seats, igniting the crowd and putting the Phillies ahead 4-3. The 30-year-old lefty came into Game 5 with 10 extra-base hits in the postseason, a career high, and he added another for one of the most clutch hits of his career. Harper earned the NLCS MVP award by completing the series with a .400 average, three doubles, two homers and five RBI. He will take his red-hot bat into the World Series to face the Astros.

Harper went 2-for-4 with two doubles and two RBI during Saturday's 10-6 win over the Padres in Game 4 of the NLCS.

Harper continued his incredible postseason at the plate Saturday, slamming his ninth and tenth extra-base hits of the playoffs and reaching nine RBI. The 30-year-old knocked Padres starter Mike Clevinger from the game with an RBI double in the first and did the same to reliever Sean Manaea with an RBI double in the fifth that gave the Phillies a 7-6 lead. Harper had never batted over .294 in the postseason, but he is now hitting .410 over 39 plate appearances with a career high 10 extra-base hits. Harper is slated to face Yu Darvish in Game 5, who he has tagged for two homers in nine at bats for his career.

GM Jerry Dipoto announced Wednesday that Winker underwent knee surgery last week and is also scheduled for neck surgery, Shannon Drayer of Seattle Sports 710 AM reports.

The 29-year-old landed on the injured list with a neck injury in early October, and he's apparently also dealing with a knee issue. The injuries capped a season to forget for Winker, who posted a career-worst .219/.344/.344 slash line in 136 games after being acquired from the Reds in March. Assuming he's healthy, Winker is likely to open spring training as the favorite to start in left field to open 2023, but his disappointing first season in Seattle could leave him with a short leash.

Harper went 1-for-4 with a solo home run during Tuesday's 2-0 win over the Padres in Game 1 of the NLCS.

Harper took Padres starter Yu Darvish deep to left field in the fourth inning for the game's first run. His homer proved to be all the Phillies needed as their pitching staff completed a shutout Tuesday night. The 30-year-old continued his torrid run in the 2022 postseason with his fourth home run and seventh extra-base hit in just seven games, extending his hitting streak to six games. Prior to the postseason, Harper hit only three home runs in all of September and October, but his power surge is coming at the perfect time for the Phillies.

Goins became a free agent Monday.

Goins lost his place on the 40-man roster in August after Ehire Adrianza returned from illness, and he ultimately cleared waivers to finish out the season at Triple-A Gwinnett. He appeared in 90 contests at Triple-A in 2022, slashing .216/.244/.256 with 25 RBI and 22 runs scored.

Dickerson elected free agency Monday.

Dickerson spent the majority of the 2022 season at Triple-A Gwinnett after being designated for assignment in April, and he's decided to test his luck elsewhere heading into the offseason. The veteran outfielder appeared in 13 games for Atlanta in 2022, going 4-for-33 with one home run, two RBI and three runs scored.

Ozuna will sit for Game 4 of the NLDS against the Phillies on Saturday.

Ozuna sat for Game 1 but returned for Games 2 and 3. He's yet to make an impact this series, going 0-for-8 with four strikeouts. William Contreras will get his chance as the designated hitter in Game 4.

Carpenter (foot) was reinstated from the 60-day injured list Tuesday.

Manager Aaron Boone said he sees Carpenter as a "big bat off the bench," Bryan Hoch of MLB.com reports. The 36-year-old recorded a whopping 1.139 OPS in 2022, but he has been held out of action since Aug. 8. So, while Carpenter may not be used in an on-field role, it's reasonable to expect him to be used in a few pinch-hit scenarios throughout the Yankees' playoff run.

Ozuna will sit for Game 1 of the NLDS against the Phillies on Tuesday.

Ozuna had a disappointing season overall, hitting .226/.274/.413 in 124 games. He earned a spot on Atlanta's playoff roster nonetheless, but he won't get the start against lefty Ranger Suarez in Game 1. It's possible he starts Game 2 or 3 against righties Zack Wheeler and Aaron Nola, but it will be William Contreras who serves as the designated hitter Tuesday.

Stanton will take part in outfield drills over the next few days to determine whether he feels comfortable enough to play there during the ALDS against Cleveland, Meredith Marakovits of YES Network reports.

Stanton played 34 games in right field and four games in left during the 2022 campaign, but his last outfield start dates back to July 21 against the Astros. If he does feel like he can play outfield in the postseason, it would help the Yankees become more flexible with how they use the designated hitter spot.