MLB Player News

Hand gave up two earned runs on three hits and one walk while recording just two outs Wednesday, taking the blown save and the loss in the deciding game of the AL Wild Card Series against the Yankees.

A clean ninth inning would have forced a Game 3, but Hand got into trouble right away, giving up a walk to Giancarlo Stanton followed by singles to Gio Urshela and Gleyber Torres. He then struck out Brett Gardner before allowing a sacrifice fly to Gary Sanchez that tied the game. DJ LeMahieu then singled home the winning run. Cleveland has a $10 million team option for 2021 or it can buy Hand out for $1 million.

Phillips (elbow) cleared waivers Wednesday and was outrighted to Triple-A Norfolk, Roch Kubatko of MASNSports.com reports.

Evans missed the end of the season with elbow inflammation. Even if he were fully healthy, however, it would have hardly been a surprise to see him pass through waivers unclaimed, as he owns a career 7.50 ERA in 54 big-league innings.

Fairbanks recorded one scoreless inning and allowed one hit while striking out two in his effort to record the save against the Blue Jays on Tuesday in Game 1 of the AL Wild Card Round.

Fairbanks threw 10 of his 18 pitches for strikes to close out the game. The 26-year-old had not recorded a save in the regular season while posting a 2.70 ERA and 1.39 WHIP in 26.2 innings of work.

Alvarado (shoulder) will not be a part of the Rays' wild-card roster.

Alvarado has been out with a shoulder injury since mid-August. He's been trending in the right direction lately, throwing live batting practice multiple times, but he's evidently at least three more days away from being cleared for game action.

Lopez has not been included on the White Sox's AL Wild Card Round roster.

Lopez had a rather disappointing 2020 campaign, struggling to a 6.49 ERA and a 1.63 WHIP over eight starts. The White Sox evidently don't want to use him even as a low-leverage reliever in the postseason, let alone as a starter.

Alcala will not be included on the Twins' postseason roster, Brandon Warne of Access Twins reports.

Alcala has pitched quite well in 24 innings of relief this season, striking out 27 batters while walking just eight en route to a 2.63 ERA and 1.21 WHIP. It's possible he plays a role if the Twins advance to the next round.

Kay will be on the roster for the Wild Card Series against the Rays.

Kay was optioned in mid-September but returns to give the Blue Jays an additional left-handed relief option. He's unlikely to be trusted in high-leverage situations, as he struggled to a 5.14 ERA and 1.71 WHIP in 21 innings this season.

Merryweather (elbow) did not make the Blue Jays' wild-card roster.

Merryweather missed the end of the regular season with right elbow tendinitis. While he resumed playing catch within the past week, he's evidently not expected to be ready for game action any time in the next three days.

Romano (finger) is not on the Blue Jays' AL Wild Card Series roster.

A sprained finger has kept Romano out for all of September and will keep him out at least a little while longer, despite an original timeline of 2-to-4 weeks. He's been throwing off a mound for over a week but is evidently not yet ready to go. Rafael Dolis and Anthony Bass remain Toronto's top high-leverage options in his absence.

Alvarado (shoulder) is scheduled to throw to Ji-Man Choi (hamstring) and Yandy Diaz (hamstring) in a simulated game setting Monday, the Associated Press reports.

The left-hander did the same Saturday and reportedly looked very good in terms of velocity as he continues to ramp up for a possible return early in the postseason. Alvarado's chances of suiting up at some point in the upcoming Wild Card Series against the Blue Jays will likely become clearer after Monday's activity.