MLB Player News

Ward was removed from his start Monday in the Arizona Fall League due to side discomfort, Rob Bradford of WEEI.com reports.

While the side injury might be significant enough to keep Ward out for the remainder of the AFL slate, the Red Sox are likely just relieved that the right-hander isn't dealing with any arm-related setbacks after undergoing Tommy John surgery in June 2021. Due to his prolonged recovery from the elbow procedure, Ward made just seven starts for Double-A Portland this season and was expected to pick up more innings in the AFL. The 25-year-old is expected to either return to Portland to begin the 2023 campaign or join the Triple-A Worcester rotation.

Smeltzer was placed on outright waivers by the Twins on Tuesday, Brandon Warne of Access Twins reports.

Smeltzer spent the majority of the 2022 season with the Twins, and he maintained a respectable 3.71 ERA and 1.22 WHIP across 70.1 innings. However, his contact-heavy approach resulted in some inconsistent performances, as he allowed six or more earned runs in two of his 12 starts. Smeltzer will now be subjected to waivers and could find a new club relatively quickly.

Reed was designated for assignment by the Orioles on Tuesday, Roch Kubatko of MASNSports.com reports.

After a 2022 season that saw Reed record a 7.02 ERA while bouncing between three different teams, he has now been cast off Baltimore's 40-man roster to make room for Jake Cave. Unless he is claimed by another team, Reed will almost certainly begin 2023 in Triple-A where he had a respectable 3.37 ERA and 1.27 WHIP over 21.1 innings.

Manager Aaron Boone said Holmes (shoulder) is available to close Game 1 of the ALDS against the Guardians on Tuesday, Chris Kirschner of The Athletic reports.

Holmes has been held out of action since the end of September with a strained right shoulder. After his recent throwing sessions went "really well," according to Boone, Holmes is now cleared for postseason action. The 2022 campaign marked a career year for the 29-year-old righty, as he recorded a 2.54 ERA and 1.02 WHIP over 63.2 innings during the regular season.

Smith will not be on the Astros' roster for the ALDS against the Mariners.

Smith owns an excellent 1.47 ERA in 18.1 career postseason innings. His absence from this series may be due more to strategic reasons than anything else, as the Astros elected not to carry a single left-handed reliever.

Maton will miss the postseason after undergoing surgery on a broken right hand, Danielle Lerner of the Houston Chronicle reports.

The injury was self-inflicted, as it occurred after Maton punched his locker following a poor outing to close the regular season last Wednesday against the Phillies. Maton wasn't one of Houston's highest-leverage options this season, but the Astros still would have preferred having him and his 3.84 ERA available out of the bullpen.

Effross requires Tommy John surgery, which will presumably keep him out for all of next season, Jack Curry of YES Network reports.

Effross was one of the Yankees' key trade deadline acquisitions and went on to save three games while posting a 2.13 ERA for his new team. He was poised to be one of the team's key high-leverage relievers this postseason, and his absence leaves an injury-plagued unit with one more important spot to fill.

The Guardians are including Morris on their ALDS roster versus the Yankees, Zack Meisel of The Athletic reports.

Morris will presumably be used for long relief and/or mop-up duties in the ALDS after being left off the wild card roster. The righty had a 2.28 ERA, 1.39 WHIP and 23:12 K:BB in 23.2 innings this season.

Sandlin was diagnosed Monday with an upper-back/right shoulder strain and is expected to miss the remainder of the postseason, Zack Meisel of The Athletic reports.

Sandlin left Saturday's Game 2 wild-card round victory over the Rays early with a tight arm, and follow-up tests didn't yield promising news. Cody Morris and Aaron Civale are candidates to join the active roster as replacements for Sandlin ahead of their American League Division Series against the Yankees.

Peralta (back) will be activated from the injured list and named to the ALDS roster ahead of Tuesday's Game 1 against Cleveland, Meredith Marakovits of YES Network reports.

Peralta was placed on the 15-day injured list Sept. 19 due to left thoracic spine tightness, but the veteran reliever will be activated prior to Game 1 of the ALDS. He appeared in 56 games for the Yankees during the regular season, accruing a 2.72 ERA and 1.05 WHIP with a 47:17 K:BB across 56.1 innings.