MLB Player News

Espino will be the Guardians' opener Wednesday in Game 3 of the ALDS against the White Sox, Tim Stebbins of MLB.com reports.

He'll be opposed by another opener in Chicago's Sean Newcomb. Espino logged a 4.11 ERA and 25:7 K:BB over 15.1 innings for the Guardians during the regular season, and he made a scoreless appearance for the White Sox in Game 1 of the ALDS. The Guardians haven't divulged plans for who will follow Espino, but Foster Griffin is a prime candidate for a bulk role if Cleveland wants to go that route.

Newcomb will serve as an opener Wednesday in Game 3 of the ALDS against the Guardians, James Fegan of the Chicago Sun-Times reports.

Newcomb tossed two shutout innings in Game 2, though he let a pair of inherited runners score. The lefty will be tasked with covering an inning or two in Game 3 as part of another bullpen game for the White Sox. The Guardians have not yet named a Game 3 starter, but Foster Griffin is a prime candidate to take the ball.

Baker earned the save by retiring all three batters he faced during the ninth inning of Game 2 of the ALDS against the Yankees on Monday. He did not record a strikeout.

The right-hander finished up a 1-0 shutout in the series opener Saturday and needed just nine pitches to retire the side Monday to give the Rays a 2-0 series lead. Baker entered the playoffs having converted 30 consecutive save opportunities, and he's added two more to his ledger in Tampa Bay's first two games of the postseason.

Taylor earned the save in Game 2 of the ALDS against the Guardians on Monday. He was charged with no runs and allowed one hit with no walks or strikeouts.

The right-hander was called upon with two out and one on during the eighth inning, and the inherited runner scored immediately on an RBI triple. Taylor closed out the frame one pitch later and then delivered a clean ninth, throwing just seven pitches to five batters in total. The 24-year-old fired four scoreless frames Saturday to pick up the save in the series opener and has yet to give up a run with an 11:1 K:BB across 7.2 innings this postseason.

Johnson underwent arthroscopic left knee surgery Monday, Martin Gallegos of MLB.com reports.

It's unclear how long the knee had been bothering Johnson, but he's expected to be ready to roll by the time spring training comes around. The right-handed reliever made 28 appearances between the Phillies and Athletics in 2026, finishing with a 5.88 ERA and 40:20 K:BB across 33.2 frames.

Red Sox chief baseball officer Craig Breslow said Monday that Crochet (lat) is on track to have a fully healthy, normal offseason, Gabrielle Starr of the Boston Herald reports.

Crochet missed the final five-plus months of the regular season with a strained left lat, but he returned to make an appearance during the playoffs and will enter the offseason without restrictions. Lingering durability questions for Crochet will likely remain next spring, though he could quiet them somewhat if he looks sharp during Grapefruit League play.

Chapman passed a physical examination Saturday, which was the final hurdle in order for his $13 million option for 2027 to vest, Francys Romero of BeisbolFR.com reports.

The other requirement for Chapman's option to vest was throwing at least 40 innings, which he surpassed in mid-August. It was another dominant campaign as Boston's closer, as he finished the regular season having converted 35 of 37 save chances with a 1.92 ERA, 1.12 WHIP and 71:23 K:BB across 51.2 innings.

Rays manager Kevin Cash said Friday that Cleavinger (forearm) has been cleared to be part of the ALDS roster, Marc Topkin of the Tampa Bay Times reports.

Cleavinger was unavailable for almost all of September as he dealt with left forearm tightness, but he's been throwing for a couple weeks and will be available for the ALDS. The veteran southpaw had an up-and-down 2026 campaign, finishing with a 4.79 ERA and 54:22 K:BB over 41.1 frames.

Wells (forearm) said Friday that he'll be ready to go for the ALDS against the Yankees, Marc Topkin of the Tampa Bay Times reports.

Wells went down with right forearm tightness in mid-Sedptember, but he's bounced back quickly and doesn't appear to be in any danger of missing out on ALDS play. The tall right-hander has collected a 2.38 ERA and 72:18 K:BB over 72 frames between the Orioles and Rays in 2026.

Smith will serve as an opener Saturday in Game 1 of the ALDS against the Guardians, James Fegan of the Chicago Sun-Times reports.

Smith tossed three scoreless frames in Game 1 of the wild-card series versus the Astros, and the White Sox will turn back to the lefty Saturday on three days' rest. The lefty will be capable of covering multiple innings against Cleveland, if needed, but it will be a bullpen game for the White Sox.