MLB Player News

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.

McHugh will serve as the Rays' opening pitcher Monday against the Red Sox as part of a bullpen day in Game 4 of the ALDS, Marc Topkin of the Tampa Bay Times reports.

Manager Kevin Cash hasn't appointed a primary pitcher to work behind McHugh, as the Rays will instead likely turn to a cadre of arms to fill innings out of the bullpen. As Neil Solondz of the Rays Radio Network notes, all of Josh Fleming, JT Chargois, Pete Fairbanks, J.P. Feyereisen, Andrew Kittredge and Matt Wisler tossed 20 pitches or fewer in Sunday's 13-inning loss, so the Tampa Bay bullpen should be relatively fresh for Monday's contest.

Pivetta (1-0) allowed three hits and a walk while striking out seven in four innings to earn the win against the Rays in Game 3 of the ALDS on Sunday.

Pivetta was initially penciled in to start Game 4 on Monday, but he worked as a long reliever late in Sunday's 13-inning contest. He got some help in the top of the 13th inning when a ball ricocheted off right fielder Hunter Renfroe for a ground-rule double to prevent a run from coming across, but the right-hander was quite effective in his second postseason appearance of 2021. Since Pivetta pitched Sunday, manager Alex Cora said that Eduardo Rodriguez will likely start Game 4 on Monday.

Patino (0-1) allowed two runs on a hit and a walk in 1.1 innings to take the loss against the Red Sox in Game 3 of the ALDS on Sunday.

Patino tossed a perfect 12th inning Sunday and retired the first batter he faced in the 13th frame, but he issued a one-out walk before giving up a walkoff home run to Christian Vazquez. The right-hander tossed seven scoreless innings across his final three appearances of the regular season but was unable to replicate his success in his first playoff appearance of 2021.

Robles was removed from Game 3 of the ALDS against the Rays on Sunday due to a stomach illness, Chris Cotillo of The Springfield Republican reports.

Robles exited Sunday's matchup after allowing two runs in two-thirds of an inning, and he should be considered day-to-day due to his illness. Assuming he tests negative for COVID-19, it wouldn't be surprising to see the right-hander available for Game 4 on Monday.

Robles left Game 3 of the ALDS against the Rays on Sunday with an apparent injury, Chris Cotillo of The Springfield Republican reports.

Robles was unable to preserve the 4-2 lead in the top of the eighth inning, as he gave up two runs on three hits and no walks while striking out one in two-thirds of an inning prior to his removal. The nature and severity of the injury aren't yet clear.

Pivetta will likely start Game 4 of the ALDS against the Rays on Monday, Alex Speier of The Boston Globe reports.

Pivetta served as a long reliever in Thursday's Game 1 loss and allowed three runs on four hits and two walks while striking out four in 4.2 innings. Manager Alex Cora said that Eduardo Rodriguez and Chris Sale are also candidates to start Monday, but Pivetta is the most likely option.

McHugh (0-1) allowed three runs on two hits and a walk while striking out two in 1.2 innings to take the loss against the Red Sox in Game 2 of the ALDS on Friday.

McHugh entered Friday's game with the Rays leading 5-3, but he gave up a pair of home runs that put him in line for the Game 2 loss. The right-hander had posted a 2.13 ERA and 1.18 WHIP in 12.2 innings across his final eight appearances of the regular season, so he should still have the trust of manager Kevin Cash later in the series despite Friday's rough outing.