MLB Player News

Pivetta has officially been named the starting pitcher for Game 4 of the ALCS on Tuesday against Houston, Pete Abraham of The Boston Globe reports.

The Red Sox were waiting to see how Game 3 played out before confirming Pivetta as the team's starter for Tuesday, as they were also prepared to use him out of the bullpen if needed. However, Boston jumped out to an early 6-0 lead and never looked back. Eduardo Rodriguez came through in a big way by hurling six strong innings, clearing the way for Pivetta to take the mound in Game 4. His last appearance dates back to Game 3 of the ALDS on Oct. 10, earning the victory out of the bullpen.

Pivetta will start Game 4 of the ALCS against the Astros on Tuesday if he isn't needed out of the bullpen Monday, Jen McCaffrey of The Athletic reports.

Every postseason game has at least a bit of an all-hands-on-deck element to it, so it's possible Pivetta will be used Monday, especially if the game goes to extra innings. With games scheduled on three consecutive days, however, the Red Sox would prefer to have the Canadian righty handle multiple innings at the start of Tuesday's contest. Pivetta has pitched well in his first taste of postseason action this year, allowing three runs in 8.2 innings while striking out 11 batters.

Hall (elbow) reported to Sarasota, Fla. on Monday to begin taking part in the Orioles' fall instructional league camp, Roch Kubatko of MASNSports.com reports.

Hall made just seven starts for Double-A Bowie this past season before he was diagnosed with a stress reaction in his left elbow in mid-June before being shut down for good six weeks later. The prized young lefty appears to be healthy again following the prolonged break, and his appearance in instructional ball will help him make up for some of the innings he lost due to injury in 2021. Expect Hall to report to Double-A or Triple-A Norfolk to begin the 2022 campaign.

Pressly allowed one run on a hit in one inning to earn the save in Friday's win over the Red Sox in Game 1 of the ALCS.

Pressly earned 26 saves during the regular season but didn't have any save chances during the ALDS against the White Sox. The right-hander has made four appearances since the start of the playoffs and has recorded a 2.25 ERA and 1.00 WHIP in four innings.

Stanek (2-0) tossed a perfect one-third of an inning to earn the win in Game 1 of the ALCS against the Red Sox on Friday.

Stanek was called upon to record the final out in the top of the seventh inning Friday, and he picked up his second win of the 2021 postseason. The righty has recorded a 0.75 WHIP in 2.2 scoreless innings across his four playoff starts this year.

Robles (0-1) allowed one run on a hit while striking out one in one inning to take the loss against the Astros in Game 1 of the ALCS on Friday.

Robles tossed two scoreless innings across his first two postseason appearances in 2021, but he's now given up three runs in 1.2 innings across his last pair of outings. The right-hander has recorded a 7.36 ERA and 1.36 WHIP in 3.2 innings across four relief appearances during the playoffs.

The Astros added Taylor to the ALCS roster ahead of Game 1 on Friday, Chandler Rome of the Houston Chronicle reports.

Taylor will serve as another lefty relief option to potentially face the likes of Kyle Schwarber, Rafael Devers and Alex Verdugo in the championship series. He posted a 3.16 ERA and 1.41 WHIP in 42.2 innings during the regular season, recording five holds along with five blown saves.

Barnes was left off Boston's ALCS roster, Chris Cotillo of The Springfield Republican reports.

Manager Alex Cora clearly didn't trust Barnes in any high-leverage situations against Tampa Bay in the ALDS, as the righty's only appearance came with a 14-6 lead in Game 2. The All-Star closer's omission from postseason rosters would've seemed unfathomable in early July, but a brutal second half drastically changed his role in Boston's bullpen.

Lakins (elbow) was outrighted to Triple-A Norfolk on Thursday, Roch Kubatko of MASNSports.com reports.

Lakins missed the second half of the 2021 campaign after he underwent elbow surgery, and he'll lose his spot on the 40-man roster heading into the offseason. The right-hander has a chance to return in time for spring training in 2022 after he posted a 5.79 ERA and 1.43 WHIP in 28 innings across 24 appearances (one start) this season.

Red Sox manager Alex Cora said Robles (illness) will likely be available out of the bullpen for Game 4 of the ALDS against the Rays on Monday, Alex Speier of The Boston Globe reports.

Robles exited Sunday's game against Tampa Bay with an illness, but the issue isn't related to COVID-19. The right-hander has recorded a 6.75 ERA and 1.50 WHIP in 2.2 innings across three playoff appearances this year and is feeling better ahead of Monday's Game 4.